Google Pixel 11 Review: Why the base model is still my favorite, even this year

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Confession: I've spent the past two weeks speed-dating. Not people, but phones. Some were overly luxurious, offering flashy features and bold promises that were simply too lavish for my lifestyle. Others were quietly compelling.

The new Pixel 11 is a bit of both camps. It's like the classic movie trope: the quiet nerd who takes off their glasses, puts on a swipe of hibiscus-pink lipstick, and suddenly has everyone's full attention.

Also: Pixel 11 XL Pro: Google's big flagship is more Pro than ever, but the camera is no big thing

That's what it felt like when I first unboxed the handset, with its magenta hues making the most of golden hour by my living room window. I've seen this story play out for years now, as Google often treats its base model Pixel with the "fun" colors, but to my surprise again, the Pixel 11 quickly became my favorite of the four that launched this summer.

The latest base model Pixel features a Tensor G6 chip, an improved camera sensor, and more.

Besides the fancy new Hibiscus color, there actually isn't much that's new to the base Pixel's hardware this year. You're still getting a 6.3-inch AMOLED display, a nearly symmetrical design (from the bezels to the bottom-firing speaker), and a blend of polished glass and matte-treated side rails.