As a Pixel fan, here are 5 reasons I’d buy the Pixel 11 instead of the Pixel 11 Pro

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As an enthusiast, any time a new phone launches, it’s natural for me to gravitate toward the Pro model. The stacked feature list and hardware make it a predictable choice, which would explain why I’ve leaned toward the top-tier Pro Pixels for the last few years.

But this year, the decision is harder than usual. The standard Google Pixel 11 starts at $899, which is $200 less than the Pixel 11 Pro. Yet Google has closed the gap between the two phones in several important areas. Like every year, the Pixel 11 gets the same processor, the same amount of RAM, and the same starting storage. It also gets fast Qi 2.2 charging, a new main camera, and a slightly slimmer design. Those are notable gains for a lot less money than the Pro.

To be sure, the Pixel 11 Pro still has some advantages. Particularly if you care about its more advanced zoom capabilities and brighter display, the Pixel 11 Pro still wins out. But for most people, I think the standard Pixel 11 makes more sense.

The biggest reason to buy the Pixel 11 is also the simplest. It costs a solid $200 less than the Pro, which, let’s be real, is not an insignificant sum.

The Pixel 11 starts at $899, while the Pixel 11 Pro starts at $1,099. Normally, that price difference comes with some compromises. Base models often have less storage or RAM, which can make the cheaper phone feel like a compromise from the moment you take it out of the box. That is not the case here.

The $899 Pixel 11 comes with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM. That is exactly the same starting configuration as the Pixel 11 Pro. For anyone who doesn’t care too much about camera specs, the Pixel 11 gives you largely the same smartphone experience for less.

Personally, as someone who keeps a dedicated camera handy, I would much rather keep that $200 in my pocket.