5 Android phones you should buy instead of the Google Pixel 11

Google’s new lineup of flagship phones is officially here, and the base Pixel 11 is the most affordable of the bunch. It’s more expensive than last year’s model, starting at $899, but it’s now the only mainline Pixel to retail for under $1,000. You might be tempted to accept the base model’s compromises to avoid spending a small fortune on the Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, or the Pixel 11 Pro Fold.

Before taking the leap, consider these five Android alternatives. You can pass on the Google Pixel 11 and still buy another great Pixel, or opt for a Samsung or Motorola phone instead. If I were in the market for a new Pixel 11, I’d take a long look at these other Android phones first.

Samsung Galaxy S26

Google Pixel phones are a bit of a mixed bag. Some users have great experiences using them, while other Pixel owners cite bugs and Tensor performance issues. If you’re worried about the Google Tensor G6 chip inside the Pixel 11 dropping the ball, the natural alternative is the Samsung Galaxy S26. Samsung’s base-model flagship has quite a bit in common with the Pixel 11, including the 6.3-inch form factor and a triple-camera system on the back. However, it’s likely that the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip inside the Galaxy S26 will run laps around the Tensor G6 powering the Pixel 11.

It’s somewhat concerning that Google isn’t telling us how amazing the new Tensor G6 processor is. The company says the chip offers 20% better efficiency, 25% quicker web browsing, and 15% snappier app launching. Aside from that, Google didn’t share the Tensor G6’s exact CPU configuration or GPU model. The Pixel 11’s performance is still up in the air, but we already know the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy is a beast of a smartphone chip. Those craving the fastest speeds should opt for the Galaxy S26 instead of the Pixel 11.

The Google Pixel 11 ships with plenty of exclusive software features, but so does the Galaxy S26. Samsung’s phones offer a pleasant mix of Galaxy AI and Google AI features, and you can force-turn off all cloud-based features with a single toggle to protect your privacy. Generally, the One UI 8.5 experience is better for multitasking and customization than Google’s version of Android 17.

The Galaxy S26 is much thinner and lighter than the Pixel 11, but it also has a much smaller battery and a weaker camera system. Both phones are the best base-model flagships the Android scene has to offer, but the Galaxy S26 is almost certain to be the better-performing device overall.

Google Pixel 11 Pro

Opting for the Google Pixel 11 Pro over the Pixel 11 won’t help your wallet, but it may deliver a better value. The Pixel 11 Pro costs $200 more than the Pixel 11, and it has the same 6.3-inch footprint. However, almost everything else is better, starting with the display specs. Google equipped the Pixel 11 Pro with a sharper 1,280×2,856 resolution and a brighter 3,600-nit rating. This makes the Pixel 11 Pro look crisp and maintain visibility even in challenging lighting conditions.

The other major reason to choose the Pixel 11 Pro is for the rear camera system. Both phones have a triple-camera setup on the rear, but the Pixel 11 Pro features a 50MP primary shooter, a 48MP ultrawide lens, and a 48MP telephoto camera with 5x optical zoom. The base Pixel 11’s secondary cameras leave sharpness to be desired, as the ultrawide is only 13MP and the telephoto is a mere 10.8MP. For the selfie lovers out there, the Pixel 11 Pro’s 42MP front-facing camera will beat the Pixel 11’s 10.5MP equivalent.

The Google Pixel 11 Pro also features HiLight, the colorful dot on the back of the Pixel camera bar previously rumored as Pixel Glow. Its implementation is limited at the moment, but it is something new that the base Pixel 11 doesn’t have. There are some things to like about the Pixel 11, such as the lighter 195.6-gram weight and the larger 4,985mAh battery capacity. But for those who value detailed displays and robust camera systems, the Pixel 11 Pro is still the better choice.

Google Pixel 10a

With price hikes across the board, value-conscious buyers should look at the Google Pixel 10a for reprieve. There’s no doubt the Google Pixel 11 is fancier and faster than the Pixel 10a, but the latter’s enticing $499 retail price makes you wonder if the former is really $400 better. To me, the biggest Pixel 10a compromise is its lack of internal magnets for Qi2, MagSafe, and Pixelsnap chargers and accessories. Everything else is tolerable considering the amount of money you’ll save by choosing the Pixel 10a — which is frequently on sale, I should note.

The Pixel 10a has a 6.3-inch display capable of 120Hz refresh rates and 3,000 nits of peak brightness. Those are the exact same specs as the Pixel 11’s screen, so it won’t feel like a downgrade. The bezels are bigger on the Pixel 10a, and the 9mm thickness is larger too. Luckily, Google justifies the Pixel 10a’s hefty form factor with a completely flat back and a 5,100mAh battery capacity. The cameras aren’t bad either, with the Pixel 10a sporting a 48MP primary shooter and a 13MP ultrawide on the back.

The key knock against the Pixel 10a is the phone’s overall performance, since it runs on an aging Tensor G4 chip, a mere 8GB of RAM, and just 128GB of UFS 3.1 storage. With that in mind, the Pixel 10a is more than capable as a budget Android phone. It won’t crush gaming benchmarks or win speed tests, but it covers all the basics at a price that seems too good to be true by 2026 standards.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8

Traditionally, base-model flagships like the Google Pixel 11 and Samsung Galaxy S26 were more compact than their higher-end counterparts. That isn’t the case anymore, with these slab phones featuring 6.3-inch displays and a sizable footprint. If you want a Pixel 11 alternative that actually feels small, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 may be your best bet.

Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 8 foldable measures only 85.7mm tall when shut, which opens up to reveal a 6.9-inch folding display. It’s like a Galaxy S26 Ultra or Pixel 11 Pro XL on the inside, but it’s much smaller than the base Pixel 11 after you close it. The phone doesn’t compromise on performance, packing a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chipset that should trounce the Tensor G6 processor handling Pixel 11 compute.

You won’t save anything by opting for the Galaxy Z Flip 8. At $1,199, it’s $300 more expensive than the Pixel 11. It is the best foldable alternative to the Pixel 11 regardless, because the other contender — the Motorola Razr Ultra 2026 — is even pricier and uses a last-generation chip.

Motorola Edge (2026)

For those craving a premium phone with a lower price than the Google Pixel 11, there’s the Motorola Edge 2026. It costs $600, putting it closer to the Pixel 10a in price than the flagship Pixel 11. Based on the phone’s specs, you wouldn’t know it. The Motorola Edge 2026 has a sleek design with a thickness of 7.2mm and weighs just 160.5 grams. Compared to the 195.6-gram weight of the Pixel 11, the Edge 2026 will feel more modern and stylish.

There are ways the Motorola Edge 2026’s hardware beats that of the Pixel 11, starting with the cameras. Motorola packed a 50MP main camera, a 10MP telephoto, and a 50MP ultrawide lens into the Edge 2026. The smartphone also has a 50MP selfie camera on the front. The Pixel 11’s primary shooter and telephoto lens can compete with the Edge 2026, but Motorola’s alternative has the advantage in ultrawide and front-facing camera performance.

The MediaTek Dimensity 7450 won’t outshine the Tensor G6, but the Edge 2026 has other things going for it. The phone has the same 6.3-inch, 120Hz display as the Pixel 11, although the Edge 2026 is much brighter at 5,200 nits. Plus, there’s a larger 5,000mAh battery and 68W wired fast charging on the Motorola Edge 2026.

The Edge 2026 has the usual Motorola drawbacks, like software update uncertainties and only three years of guaranteed Android OS upgrades. That said, the price might be just attractive enough to sway you. By going with the Edge 2026, you’ll keep an extra $300 in your pocket.