Google Pixel 11 Pro’s diabolical trade-off

The Pixel 11 series looks set to be a much bigger deal than we were expecting: for better and for worse.

With yearly ‘upgrades’ at an all-time low thanks to the ongoing global RAM shortage (including from Google itself, namely on the Pixel 10a), it looks like the Pixel 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL and 11 Pro Fold will buck the trend. 

A major Telegram leak, courtesy of renowned tipster Mystic Leaks, points to three key internal upgrades: Google’s next-gen Tensor G6 chipset, a new modem for improved internet connections, and – of course – a refreshed Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) for AI tasks.

However, it’s the brand-new camera sensors that I’m most excited for – even if the specifics aren’t yet known. With no lens upgrades for several years, Pixel flagships have stagnated in the phone photography wars, relying instead on gimmicky AI features such as Best Take and Add Me.

But there’s a major rumoured downside – the removal of an underrated and incredibly useful feature that no other phone maker can match. To make matters worse, Google is expected to replace it with yet another gimmick. Sigh.

It’s heating up – but by how much?

A thermometer built into your phone would’ve been the stuff of fantasy just a few decades ago. And soon, it may be a thing of the past.

First introduced on the Pixel 8 Pro in 2023, the Thermometer app has been a mainstay of Pixel Pro phones ever since. Regardless of where you’re based, you can use the dedicated infrared sensor to measure the temperature of an incredible range of everyday objects, including foods, liquids and many different types of surfaces. 

What’s more, if you’re in a supported country (including the UK and the US), you can even use it to measure your body temperature.

The process is surprisingly straightforward, with an automated voice guiding you to hold the sensor up to your forehead and then rotate it around to one of your temples.

It’s not just a cool party trick, either: the body temperature recording has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US, confirming that it’s just as effective as any other infrared thermometers (such as those that zapped you before entry to a venue during Covid).

…the removal of the Thermometer app makes zero sense

However, a more realistic comparison is to the mouth-based thermometer that I rely on when I’m unwell. Results from my Pixel 10 Pro XL were more variable, as it’s very sensitive to the distance from your forehead.

But when I got it within the recommended 5cm, the temperature was consistently less than 0.2°C off. Impressive.

I’d never rely on a phone as my one and only body temperature measurement. But if you’re out and about, or simply want a second opinion on an unusual result, it can be invaluable. It’s also a less invasive way to keep an eye on young children, with dedicated modes for up to three months and then up to three years old.

I can’t verify the accuracy of object and surface measurements, but everything I tried was in line with what you’d expect. And it can be useful in all sorts of scenarios, from monitoring windows for draughts to checking a pan is hot enough to put your food in, and even making sure a cup of tea won’t burn your mouth.

Given its wide-ranging potential application and the fact that the infrared sensor takes up a tiny space on the back of the phone, the removal of the Thermometer app makes zero sense.

Lights, camera and too much action

The Mystic Leaks post also appears to confirm what we’ve suspected for a while now – the Pixel 11 Pro models look set for a light show.

As someone who’s trying to use my phone more mindfully, a load of distracting lights on the back of my phone is my worst nightmare

Specifically, the so-called ‘Pixel Glow’ RGB LEDs are expected to surround the camera bar, though these will supposedly be smaller than the ‘Glyph’ lights we’ve seen on Nothing smartphones.

But from testing a fair few of those handsets, I find LED lights on the back of a phone to be a total gimmick. It sounds fun and even potentially useful in theory, but believe me, they soon get very annoying.

As someone who’s trying to use my phone more mindfully, a load of distracting lights on the back of my phone is my worst nightmare. Even an infuriating notification chime is better than this.

If I end up reviewing a Pixel 11 Pro model, I’ll want to test out these lights, of course, but I fully expect to turn them off as soon as possible.

A lot of the current global factors influencing smartphones are outside of Google’s control, but adding a gimmick to the back of its phones is not the right response. 

I can only hope that the Pixel 11 Pro handsets, and the Pixel 11 series more widely, are good enough in other areas that matter to make them worth buying. But after reading these rumours, I have my doubts.