The Pixel 11 gives me three reasons to ditch my iPhone 17, and I’m afraid they’ll work
The Pixel 11 has a dedicated telephoto, smarter AI tools, and a much bigger battery, giving it an intriguing edge over the iPhone 17.
As someone who reviews smartphones for a living, upgrading every year isn't an option. It's part of the job, and as an iPhone user, the call is easy. This year, I expected to move from my baseline iPhone 17 to Apple's next baseline model, the iPhone 18. However, Apple might not launch it this September, as Pegatron, one of Apple's suppliers, indicated on an August 12 earnings call that the standard iPhone 18 isn't coming next month.
Only the Pro, Pro Max, and the rumored foldable "Ultra" are expected, with the base model pushed to early 2027. This alone would derail my plans.
But the Pixel 11 adds three more reasons for me to ditch my iPhone 17. Firstly, Google has increased the starting price to $899, making it a tougher sell. Secondly, the Pixel 11 packs a more advanced camera system than the iPhone 17. While the iPhone 17 boasts a dual 48MP camera array, the Pixel 11 features a triple system with a 48MP main, 13MP ultrawide, and a 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom.
This dedicated telephoto camera allows for more intentional photography, bringing out details that the iPhone 17's camera lacks.
Thirdly, the Pixel 11 offers improved software features. Google has focused on refining the user experience, introducing a wireless Android Switch tool that migrates passwords, passkeys, Wi-Fi credentials, alarms, and text threads between devices. Additionally, Gemini Intelligence enables task automation, and Magic Capture analyzes 400 shots to determine the best picture and video from a scene.
The Creator Suite includes built-in AI video editing tools, and the Pixel 11's larger 4,985 mAh battery could potentially provide longer battery life compared to the iPhone 17.
Despite these advantages, I still prefer my iPhone 17 for its excellent video capabilities, fantastic display, and seamless integration with my MacBook Air M5. However, the Pixel 11's offer justifies the $100 premium over the iPhone 17 for me. This year, the Pixel 11 is making a stronger argument, and I'm eagerly waiting for more hands-on experience to make up my mind before committing my money.
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