Before investing more than $1,000 in a Pixel 11 Pro, take a look at these five alternative phones.

Before investing more than $1,000 in a Pixel 11 Pro, take a look at these five alternative phones.

      I’ve spent considerable time with the Pixel 11 Pro lately, and there’s a lot to appreciate about Google’s latest flagship, even if it has some unimpressive hardware updates. Instant Night Sight made me rediscover the charm of Google’s low-light photography, and Magic Capture has already enabled me to capture images of my cat that I might have missed otherwise.

      HiLight is an intriguing new feature that Google is protecting zealously, although users have already found ways to unlock it. Just days after its announcement, the phone has generated quite a buzz. However, spending over $1,000 on a phone isn't a trivial decision. The Pixel 11 Pro starts at $1,099, the same price as Apple's iPhone 17 Pro, while excellent Android competitors like the Galaxy S26 and OnePlus 15 are priced $200 lower at MSRP.

      Vikhyaat Vivek / Digital Trends

      How I selected these models

      I’ve been thoroughly using the Pixel 11 Pro for our current coverage, I reviewed the Galaxy S26 earlier this year, and I’ve also spent time with the OnePlus 15. For the iPhone 17 Pro and the two 2026 clamshells, I’m relying on our existing tests alongside current manufacturer specs and market prices. Consequently, each recommendation emphasizes a particular strength rather than trying to label one as the all-around Pixel alternative.

      Samsung Galaxy S26/S26+

      If the 6.3-inch Pixel 11 Pro attracts you due to its manageable size, the Galaxy S26 is the first alternative I’d consider. I reviewed the S26 earlier this year, and its compact size remains one of its best features. Samsung has managed to fit a 6.3-inch display into a device that weighs only 167 grams. In comparison, the Pixel 11 Pro also features a 6.3-inch display but weighs 204 grams, making that 37-gram difference quite noticeable if you carry the phone all day. The S26 also starts at $899.99, offering a $200 saving before any promotions.

      Galaxy S26 Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

      Its Exynos 2600 variant excelled during my testing. Apps opened quickly, animations were smooth, and games performed well enough that I never felt it was a compromised flagship. One UI 8.5 provides Samsung’s extensive software toolkit, including Good Lock and DeX, which is ideal for those who prefer a deeper Android experience than what Google’s relatively simpler Pixel interface offers.

      Samsung Galaxy S26+ Moinak Pal / Digital Trends

      However, there are compromises that shouldn’t be overlooked. I averaged around five hours of screen-on time, the 25W charging remains frustratingly slow, and Samsung has retained camera hardware that is starting to show its age. I would choose Google’s camera system over Samsung’s. But if size isn’t a crucial factor, the Galaxy S26+ is a superior option, featuring a taller and sharper 6.7-inch display, a larger 4,900mAh battery, and faster charging capabilities.

      OnePlus 15

      Just from the spec sheet, the OnePlus 15 appears to be the strongest option mathematically. Priced at $899.99, it comes with the quicker Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a massive 7,300mAh silicon-carbon battery, 80W wired charging in the US, and 50W wireless charging that surpasses the wired charging speed of the Pixel 11 Pro. Additionally, it has a 6.78-inch LTPO display that can reach 165Hz in supported games, which is a great bonus. Google's 4,850mAh battery seems quite underwhelming by comparison.

      OnePlus 15 Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends

      You might argue it’s a compact device, but silicon-carbon battery technology ensures even smaller phones have significant capacities. After a month-long review of the OnePlus 15, we found its battery life to be one of its standout qualities, with around 40% to 45% remaining by the end of the day, while the Snapdragon chip’s performance was remarkably fast.

      I’d opt for the Pixel for its more consistent computational photography, smaller size, Qi2 magnets, and seven-year software support. However, those who game heavily, despise charging daily, or desire significantly more hardware for $900 will find a strong reason to choose the OnePlus.

      Apple iPhone 17 Pro

      One of the most obvious close alternatives is Apple’s $1,099 iPhone 17 Pro, which also begins with 256GB of storage and features a similar 6.3-inch display. The physical design is almost identical to the base Pixel 11 Pro. Its significance goes deeper than just the familiar Android versus iOS debate. Apple’s A19 Pro processor is among the fastest mobile chips available, and its camera system boasts three 48MP rear cameras

Before investing more than $1,000 in a Pixel 11 Pro, take a look at these five alternative phones. Before investing more than $1,000 in a Pixel 11 Pro, take a look at these five alternative phones. Before investing more than $1,000 in a Pixel 11 Pro, take a look at these five alternative phones. Before investing more than $1,000 in a Pixel 11 Pro, take a look at these five alternative phones. Before investing more than $1,000 in a Pixel 11 Pro, take a look at these five alternative phones. Before investing more than $1,000 in a Pixel 11 Pro, take a look at these five alternative phones. Before investing more than $1,000 in a Pixel 11 Pro, take a look at these five alternative phones. Before investing more than $1,000 in a Pixel 11 Pro, take a look at these five alternative phones.

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Before investing more than $1,000 in a Pixel 11 Pro, take a look at these five alternative phones.

The Pixel 11 Pro is a superb camera phone, but its price of $1,099 makes faster flagship models, lighter devices, larger battery options, and foldable screens accessible as well.