I've always enjoyed using Pixels, and that hasn't changed in 2026. I switched over to the Pixel 11 Pro XL from the Find X9 Ultra, and while Google doesn't have the best cameras or battery life, the 11 Pro XL is meaningfully different to its predecessor — something I realized after two weeks of use. I have all major phone releases of 2026 on hand, but it's the Pixel 11 Pro XL that houses my SIM card.

I obviously like Google's vision of Android, but the 11 Pro XL excels in a lot of other areas, so I'm outlining five reasons why the phone is now my daily driver. There's a lot to like with the software. I'm not a big fan of AI in general, and Google's insistence of shoving AI-assisted features into every nook and cranny of its software is a bit tedious.

That said, Proactive Intelligence does a good job providing contextual information, and Rambler in particular has made me use voice dictation again — I like just how easy it is to take notes. There's no doubting that the Pixel 11 Pro XL has the best on-device AI suite of any phone. Even if you don't plan on using any of these AI features, there's a lot to like with the software.

The interface is clean and modern, and you get extensive customizability when it comes to styling it to your tastes. I get that not everyone's a fan of the Material you aesthetic, but I like the vibrancy of the UI, and it's great to see Google constantly roll out new features. The hardware is actually good.

It's annoying that Google's Tensor efforts have focused so heavily on the NPU that it ignores baseline performance, but the Tensor G6 is better than previous models. It still isn't quite as fast as the latest-gen Qualcomm and Media Tek rivals, but it is better in day-to-day multitasking, and there is a noticeable difference in the overall fluidity. The G6 still struggles with visually-demanding games, but in all other scenarios, it is a pretty reliable platform.

The 6.8-inch OLED panel, on the other hand, is one of the best around. It has great colors and gets brighter than most phones I used in 2026, and it held up astonishingly well in India's punishing heat. The 11 Pro XL doesn't have high PWM dimming — unlike Chinese phones — so if you're sensitive to it, you should get the Find X9 Pro or Vivo X300 Pro.

Cameras are better than I thought. While earlier Pixels had the best cameras, that hasn't been the case for a while now. Thankfully, the Pixel 11 Pro XL makes amends in this area, and the new sensors combined with camera tuning tweaks deliver much better photos and videos.

Image quality in general is better than last year, and while the 11 Pro XL may not be as good as the Find X9 Pro or Vivo X300 Pro, it stands above the S26 Ultra and i Phone 17 Pro. I like Camera Looks a lot as it gives me plenty of flexibility in tailoring my photos. Magic Capture in particular is a standout addition; it does a great job producing clean photos of fast-moving subjects, and I used it extensively in the last two weeks.

While it isn't new, Add Me is a feature that gets a lot of usage. Qi 2 continues to be a big deal. I only started using Qi 2 in earnest last year, and a lot of that had to do with the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

I don't use cases in general, so to have Qi 2 magnets integrated into a phone body made using the tech all the more easy, and it's great to see Google continue this in the Pixel 11 Pro XL. While 25W charging isn't a lot — particularly when there are phones that charge at 80W — the convenience is hard to counter. There are so many sleek Qi 2 power banks these days that I always have one on hand to use with the 11 Pro XL when I'm outdoors.

The battery life in general is good enough that...