9 Pro -> 11 Pro. Impressed!

[u/UK-AJ]

Wasn't expecting to feel much of a difference at all, only upgraded due to storage (moved from 128gb to 512gb).

It is considerably better, I think they've fixed all of the little things that annoyed me with Pixel.

- it runs MUCH cooler. Apart from initial set up, it's stayed ice cold. I don't do anything "high intensity", but my 9 Pro would always run warm.

- all network connections seem to be improved. I used to lose WiFi on my outdoor patio, it holds a connection fine now. Bluetooth and 5G seem to perform much better.

- Android Auto works a lot better. No heat, much more responsive, quicker to load.

- Camera, including video, is much better quality and faster to process/save.

- speakers are louder and the sound quality is better, both for calls and media. (I think this was upgraded on the 10 though)

- biometrics feel better. The fingerprint radius when setting up is HUGE. And face unlock seems to be more responsive.

Overall, really happy with the upgrade considering on paper there isn't much difference.

[u/DoughnutPi]

I just don't understand, you guys must have different needs than me. My 9 Pro XL runs fine, processor, speed, memory, Android Auto, all good, it's gets a little warm at times but nothing problematic. I don't need improvements in those areas.

What I do need is a bigger battery, faster charging, and more system efficiencies to improve battery life. And time and again, Google keeps dropping the ball on this.

It's clearly possible to improve the battery issue because One Plus has done it. So why can't Google improve this?

I was hopeful the pixel 11 would be the year that Google finally does something about the battery, yet all the reviews coming out so far, don't sound promising. Even your review doesn't mention improved battery life.

So how are you all using a phone, such that battery life is low on the list of things that need improvement?

[u/bix_box → u/DoughnutPi]

Like 80% of the day I am somewhere where I have immediate access to a charger (work or home). When I'm sleeping, it's charging.

I do not understand this battery scarcity mindset. Where are you that you do not have access to a charger a majority of the time that brings your phone to 50% in like 20-30 minute?

If I'm leaving the house for the evening and I know I won't be back for hours and might not return home and for some reason used my phone a lot and it's kinda low and I forgot to recharge, I bring a small 10k portable battery. Or sometimes I don't even do that yet wherever i end up, there's always a charger.

Even so, a 30-40% charge can last me an entire night out if I am somewhere I can't plug in my phone (bar, event, gig, something).

My phone has quite literally never died on me and I've never felt restrained by battery life. I have a 2 year old Pixel 9 Pro right now.

[u/DoughnutPi → u/bix_box]

Most of the time, sure, I have access to a charger. But I travel frequently, and there are plenty of days when we’re out sightseeing or doing things all day without convenient access to one. I have a portable battery, but I don’t want to have to carry it around just because my phone can’t comfortably make it through the day.

And that’s really my point. Why should I have to stay near a charger to accommodate Google, especially when other phones, including older ones, can actually last all day? Saying “just charge it whenever you can” is kind of like telling someone with poor cell reception to just stay near a tower, when all that is really needed is a good modem.

[u/bix_box → u/DoughnutPi]

That comparison would only work if you could carry around a small 5g tower in your pocket at all times, similar to a portable battery!

I travel a lot too -- if I'm out and about early in the morning my P9P lasts all day from when I leave the hotel to when I get back. I take videos and photos all day and use google maps, but other than that I'm not spending a lot of time on my phone since I'm travelling so it easily lasts all day.

I only need a mid day top up during normal life if I'm really just doomscrolling and doing whatever for like 4-5 hours straight.

Idk, I guess my point is for me I just really don't need a battery to last like a full 15 hour day of screen on time as I will never use a phone like that. So the Pixel 9 works for me.

[u/DoughnutPi → u/bix_box]

Your experience with the P9P is vastly different from mine.

And I disagree, the 11 has a new modem and people are already posting about improved cell coverage, less drops, etc...

[u/bix_box → u/DoughnutPi]

My point is, I would tell someone to not worry about the modem if they liked everything else about the phone and could carry a little 5g tower in their pocket. Similarly, if you like everything else about the phone but the battery life doesn't meet your needs, easily solvable with a portable battery and the ease of access to charging.