The Pixel 11 Pro XL is an incremental update with snappier cameras but not much else. The phones come in gorgeous new colors and boast some cool AI features like improved dictation tools, but the overall design and performance feel familiar.

Rambler, a new AI-powered dictation feature, stands out for its ability to clean up speech and switch between languages seamlessly. It’s hard not to use it compared to other dictation apps.

However, Gemini’s proactive suggestions are hit-or-miss, with limited availability outside the U.S., and Hilight, a subtle notification light that only works under certain conditions, offers limited utility. The cameras do show some improvements with faster Night Sight and higher zoom levels, but they don’t justify buying an entire new phone.

Overall, if you’re not up for a major upgrade, the Pixel 11 Pro XL’s iterative changes might not be enough to convince you to trade in your old device. But it's still a solid choice with good performance and useful features.