5 hidden Pixel 11 upgrades you probably missed — Explained

Google recently announced the Pixel 11 series, prompting a number of grumblings about a perceived lack of progress.

Our very own Mobile Editor, Anyron, has already labelled the Google Pixel 11 Pro “the most underwhelming phone I’ve tried in years”.

While we wouldn’t recommend coming to the Pixel 11 series if you’re after sweeping improvements or a radical new smartphone vision, there are a handful of smaller changes aimed at making your life a little easier.

Here are five ‘hidden’ Pixel 11 upgrades that you might not have realised were there.

Easier mobile payments

There are phones out there that seem to make it actively awkward to initiate a mobile payment. Through thoughtless placement of the NFC tag, it can leave you tapping your phone all over the place at the checkout.

Google has addressed its own culpability in this with the Pixel 11 series. Now, the NFC tag is positioned on the top edge of the phones, much like an iPhone.

Result: a much easy tap-to-pay process, and effortless movement through your local public transport system.

Upgraded modem

We all know that Google has fitted its Pixel 11 series out with its new Tensor G6 processor. It’s faster and smoother than before, even if it still lags Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Apple’s A19 Pro.

One area of performance improvement that you may have missed is the new modem that comes as part of the Tensor G6 package. Google has moved from a Samsung-made component to a MediaTek one.

Google claims that this new component is faster, more reliable and more energy-efficient, which should make for fewer dropped calls, a smoother mobile internet experience, and better battery life while you’re out and about.

The Pro models run cooler

Google has fitted its three Pro models (including the Pixel 11 Pro Fold) with a vapour chamber, which promises to help them run much cooler.

We’ve seen similar solutions before in previous performance-focused phones, but it’s something of a novelty in a Pixel device.

A vapour chamber is a sealed, vacuum-filled copper chamber that contains a small amount of water. As the processor heats up, this water is turned into vapour, which then sets off into a loop that draws heat away from essential components.

As a result, the Pixel 11 Pro is able to run faster for longer, improving all-round performance.

Custom haptics

Google hasn’t improved the haptic motor in its Pixel 11 series – it’s been pretty good for a while now – but it has implemented a new custom haptic feature.

While it hasn’t shouted about it, you can now take more control over how your phone vibrates when you receive calls and notifications. Head into the relevant Vibration section of the Settings menu, and you can now fine-tune the way that your phone buzzes at you, with settings such as Taps, Blip, Rumble and more.

You can also assign individual vibration patterns to select contacts, so you know when your mum or partner is calling before you’ve even looked at your phone.

Better PixelSnap charging

Google debuted its PixelSnap standard with the Pixel 10 series, adding Qi2 magnetic charging and accessories to the package. It remains a pretty rare feature in Android terms, and the Pixel 11 series has only improved things.

Not only do these Pixel 11 phones feature stronger magnets for a more secure fix, but it now supports Qi2.2 for faster 25W wireless charging.

Want to read more on the new Pixel devices? Check out our analysis of the Magic Capture feature or our Pixel 11 Pro Fold review.