Pixel 11 Pro XL vs. Galaxy S27 Ultra: Why you shouldn't buy Google's flagship right now

I got my hands on the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL when it launched globally in August, and I’ve spent quite a bit of time with it since. It’s not my daily driver, but I’ve used it enough to know what I love about it and, more importantly, where I wish Google had done things differently. If there’s one thing I’ve come to appreciate about Pixel phones over the years, it’s how Google gets so many of the little things right. From the design and software to how everything feels in everyday use, using a Pixel has a certain charm that’s hard to ignore.

Of course, that doesn’t mean everything is perfect. Performance is still one area where I’d love to see Google step things up, especially when you look at what the competition has to offer. And with Samsung’s Galaxy S27 Ultra expected to arrive early next year, that gap could become even more noticeable.

Which brings me to an interesting question: Should you buy Google’s best smartphone now, or hold off to see what Samsung has up its sleeve? Having spent plenty of time with Google’s flagship, I think I can help you decide.

The Pixel knows how to impress, until it doesn’t

One thing I’ve always admired about Google is how it makes its smartphones look so good, and the Pixel 11 Pro XL is no exception. It’s a big phone, much like Samsung’s Galaxy Ultra models, so you get a similarly large device either way. But what makes the Pixel stand out to me is how Google makes even a phone this big look elegant. Even a relatively simple color like Obsidian looks classy. If I had to pick my favorite Android smartphone brand purely based on design, Google would probably take the top spot.

Thankfully, the good looks aren’t the only reason I enjoy using the Pixel 11 Pro XL. If there’s one thing I appreciate almost as much as its design, it’s the software experience. Google develops Android, and running Android 17 on the Pixel 11 Pro XL shows me how the company wants its operating system to look and feel.

I love how much freedom I have to make the phone work the way I want. Whether it’s playing around with home screen customization, using app bubbles, adjusting app memory limits, or taking advantage of features like Enhanced Protection and screen reactions, there’s plenty to explore. Yet despite all those features, the phone never feels complicated to use. Everything feels familiar and the animations are smooth.

Unfortunately, my enthusiasm starts to fade a little when we get to performance. If you’ve followed my experience with Pixel phones over the years, you’ll know that Google’s Tensor chips haven’t always impressed me. I’ve had my fair share of frustrations, particularly with the Pixel 10 Pro, and those experiences have made me a little cautious about trusting a Pixel with everything I throw at it. After all, when you’re spending flagship money on a smartphone, you shouldn’t have to think twice before pushing it.

The good news is that the Pixel 11 Pro XL has been considerably better in my experience. I’ve used it on and off for the past few months, and for the most part, it’s handled my routine without much to complain about. That said, I’ve experienced stuttering and heating, especially when shooting 4K cooking videos for my channel or pushing the phone through more demanding tasks. Thankfully, none of these issues have been serious enough to ruin my experience. Still, given my history with Tensor-powered Pixels, I’m not quite ready to give Google a clean chit just yet. I’d like to spend more time with the phone before I can confidently say that its performance concerns are behind us.

As for the cameras, I’ve always enjoyed taking pictures with Pixel phones, and the Pixel 11 Pro XL has only reminded me why. I recently took it along on a trip, and there were several moments when I looked at the photos afterward and thought, that’s exactly how the place looked in person. Whether I’m capturing a landscape, taking a quick portrait, or pointing the camera at something that catches my eye, the Pixel 11 Pro XL rarely disappoints me.

I just wish I could say the same about its battery life. Interestingly, Google has reduced the battery capacity by 85mAh compared with last year’s model. I know that’s a ridiculously small difference and unlikely to affect battery life much, but I still find the decision a little strange.

More importantly, the actual endurance hasn’t been particularly impressive in my experience. On days when I’m out for hours, juggling calls, replying to messages, navigating with Google Maps, and occasionally getting lost in mindless scrolling, I worry about the battery before the day is over. In fact, I’ve made it a habit to carry a power bank whenever I take out the Pixel 11 Pro XL.

And if the battery life wasn’t disappointing enough, charging speeds don’t exactly make up for it. We’ve reached a point where several Android smartphones can recharge incredibly quickly, yet Google’s flagship still takes over an hour to go from empty to full.

For a phone that gets so many things right, I really wish Google would pay a little more attention to these basics.

Google brought the charm, but I’m waiting for muscle

So, that brings me to the main question: should you buy the Pixel 11 Pro XL right now or wait for Samsung’s Galaxy S27 Ultra? I think the answer depends on what you value most in a smartphone. If performance is a top priority and you want a reliable camera system to match it, I’d seriously consider waiting for Samsung’s next flagship. I’ve used the Galaxy S26 Ultra for the past six months, and I’ve rarely had to worry about performance. No matter what I’ve thrown at it, the phone has handled everything without giving me a reason to complain. If Samsung improves on that experience with the S27 Ultra, I think we’re in for something pretty exciting.

That said, I’m not entirely sold on everything we’ve heard about the upcoming phone. For one, I’m not a huge fan of the design Samsung is reportedly going with. So far, it reminds me a little too much of iPhones and some Chinese smartphones, particularly OPPO. I’ve always liked how Samsung’s Ultra phones have had a distinct identity, so I’m not sure how I feel about the company potentially moving away from that. However, this change could have an upside. The Galaxy S27 Ultra is rumored to support Qi2 wireless charging, which could finally let you snap accessories like wallets and wireless power banks directly onto the back of the phone.

Battery life is another reason I’m curious about Samsung’s plans. The company has already begun experimenting with silicon-carbon batteries in its latest foldables this year, and the Galaxy S27 Ultra could benefit from the same technology. If that happens, we could see better battery life without Samsung having to make the phone noticeably thicker or heavier. In fact, it might even allow Samsung to make the Ultra a little slimmer. Of course, none of this is confirmed yet, but the possibility of getting better endurance in a more comfortable design is certainly appealing.

Put it all together, and the Galaxy S27 Ultra is shaping up to be a phone worth waiting for. But I wouldn’t treat any of these rumored upgrades as guaranteed until Samsung actually announces the phone; pricing’s also a question. With memory and RAM costs pressuring the smartphone industry, I wouldn’t be surprised if Samsung’s next Ultra ends up more expensive than its predecessor. Keep that in mind, especially if you’re already stretching your budget for a flagship.

Personally, though, I’d still wait. That’s not to say I don’t appreciate what the Pixel 11 Pro XL offers. Its design, cameras, and software experience are among the biggest reasons I keep enjoying Pixel phones, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to someone who values those things above all else. But after spending so much time with both Google’s and Samsung’s flagships, I’ve realized that I don’t want to compromise on performance or battery life when I’m spending this much money on a smartphone. And that’s where Samsung has consistently given me more confidence.

The Pixel 11 Pro XL is a great phone you can buy today, while the Galaxy S27 Ultra is still a collection of promises and rumors. But with Samsung’s next flagship only a few months away, I’d rather see what it actually brings to the table before making such an expensive decision. After all, the Pixel 11 Pro XL isn’t going anywhere, and waiting a little longer might just help you make a better choice.