We put the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL through our rigorous DXOMARK Camera test suite to measure its performance in photo, video, and zoom quality from an end-user perspective. This article breaks down how the device fared in a variety of tests and several common use cases and is intended to highlight the most important results of our testing with an extract of the captured data.
Overview
Key camera specifications:
- Primary: 50 MP, f/1.68, 82° (wide), 1/1.3″, Octa PDAF
- Ultra-wide: 48 MP, f/1.7, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.51″, Quad PDAF
- Tele: 48 MP, f/2.8, 23° (periscope telephoto), 1/1.95″, Quad PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom
Pros
- Accurate and stable exposure and wide dynamic range
- Accurate white balance with generally good skin tones
- Few artifacts compared to competition
- Very good texture/noise trade-off with fine detail and nearly no noise
- Quite reliable autofocus with fast convergence
- Good detail in tele and ultra wide videos
Cons
- Target exposure on face slightly low on strong HDR scenes
- Skin tones can be slightly too red on fair models in outdoor
- Slight lack of detail in medium range zoom shots
The Google Pixel 11 Pro XL delivered a top-level performance in the DXOMARK Camera video tests, earning itself a top score in our current ranking. Its Video Boost mode builds on an already strong basic video experience, improving the overall rendering and helping the device reach a particularly high level of performance across different shooting conditions. The mode is especially effective at improving the balance between detail and noise, while also providing a more stable overall rendering than the standard video mode.
Although Video Boost relies primarily on cloud-based processing to enhance video quality, it also uses a dedicated capture mode on the device. This optimized recording pipeline is specifically designed to provide the best possible input for subsequent processing and can slightly affect camera behaviors such as autofocus and exposure stability.
Videos come with accurate target exposure and a wide dynamic range, allowing the camera to preserve a good amount of information in challenging lighting conditions. Color rendering is pleasant and white balance remains accurate across all tested conditions, providing a consistent rendering when moving between different environments. The overall exposure and color behavior is reliable, although a slight tendency toward overexposure can occasionally be observed, particularly in the Traveling Portrait sequence.
The main strength of the Pixel 11 Pro XL Video Boost mode is its texture-noise compromise. The camera is able to maintain a high level of fine details while keeping noise relatively low across different conditions, with this advantage becoming particularly visible in lowlight and night scenes. Video Dinner illustrates this behavior particularly well, showing the best level of detail while maintaining a low level of visible noise. Stabilization is also efficient during walking and running, providing smooth footage and good control of residual motion.
Using the telephoto and ultra-wide modules, Video Boost also provides a better video quality than the standard mode, with improved detail preservation and reduced noise. The telephoto camera in particular delivers a good level of detail once the dedicated module is engaged, although some detail loss can still be observed at intermediate focal lengths before switching to the telephoto camera. The ultra-wide camera remains more limited in terms of fine-detail preservation, but Video Boost helps maintain a more convincing rendering overall.
Despite the strong overall performance, some limitations remain. Autofocus instabilities can still be observed in specific situations. These issues are relatively localized and do not significantly affect the overall video experience, but they prevent the autofocus system from being fully consistent in all tested conditions.
Please note that our tests were conducted using an HDR compatible monitor. All image quality comments are based on viewing on such a monitor.
Test summary
About DXOMARK Camera tests: DXOMARK’s camera evaluations take place in laboratories and real-world situations using a wide variety of use-cases. The scores rely on objective tests for which the results are calculated directly using measurement software in our laboratory setups, and on perceptual tests where a sophisticated set of metrics allow a panel of image experts to compare aspects of image quality that require human judgment. Testing a smartphone involves a team of engineers and technicians for about a week. Photo and Video quality are scored separately and then combined into an overall score for comparison among the cameras in different devices. For more information about the DXOMARK Camera protocol, click here. More details on smartphone camera scores are available here. The following section gathers key elements of DXOMARK’s exhaustive tests and analyses. Full performance evaluations are available upon request. Please contact us on how to receive a full report.
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL (Video Boost) Camera Scores
This graph compares DXOMARK photo and video scores between the tested device and references. Average and maximum scores of the price segment are also indicated. Average and maximum scores for each price segment are computed based on the DXOMARK database of devices tested.
About DXOMARK Camera Video tests
DXOMARK engineers capture and evaluate almost 3 hours of video in controlled lab environments and in natural low-light, indoor and outdoor scenes, using the camera’s default settings. The evaluation consists of visually inspecting natural videos taken in various conditions and running objective measurements on videos of charts recorded in the lab under different conditions from 0.1 to 10000+ lux and color temperatures from 2,300K to 6,500K.
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL (Video Boost) Video scores
Video Main tests analyze the same image quality attributes as for still images, such as exposure, color, texture, or noise, in addition to temporal aspects such as speed, and smoothness and stability of exposure, white balance, and autofocus transitions.
Exposure tests evaluate the brightness level of the main subject, the global contrast and the ability to render the dynamic range of the scene (ability to render visible details in both bright and dark areas). When the camera provides Video HDR format, the videos are analyzed with a visualization on an HDR reference monitor, under reference conditions specified in the metadata. Stability and temporal adaption of the exposure are also analyzed.
How does the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL Video Boost perform in Video Exposure :
- Target exposure is generally accurate with a wide dynamic range.
- Exposure remains stable across changing lighting conditions.
- Slight overexposure can be visible in some very bright outdoor conditions.
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL VB – Accurate exposure and pleasant colors
Apple iPhone 17 Pro – Accurate exposure and pleasant colors but more color casts and instabilities
Image-quality color analysis looks at color rendering, skin-tone rendering, white balance, color shading, stability of the white balance and its adaption when light is changing.
How does the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL Video Boost perform in Video Color:
- Color rendering is pleasant across the tested conditions.
- White balance remains accurate when moving between different environments.
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL VB – Accurate exposure and pleasant colors
Apple iPhone 17 Pro – Accurate exposure and pleasant colors but more color casts and instabilities
Sharpness & Timing
116
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
For video, autofocus tests concentrate on focus accuracy, focus stability and analysis of convergence regarding speed and smoothness.
How does the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL Video Boost perform in Video Autofocus:
- Autofocus is generally reliable during standard video recording.
- Some slight instabilities remain visible in specific shooting conditions.
Texture tests analyze the level of details and texture of the real-life videos as well as the videos of charts recorded in the lab. Natural videos recordings are visually evaluated, with particular attention paid to the level of details in the bright and areas as well as in the dark. Objective measurements are performed of images of charts taken in various conditions from 0.1 to 10000 lux. The charts used are the DXOMARK chart (DMC) and Dead Leaves chart.
How does the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL Video Boost perform in Video Texture:
- Video Boost provides a good level of fine-detail preservation across conditions.
- Texture rendering remains convincing in both standard and difficult lighting.
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL VB – High level of details even in difficult conditions
Apple iPhone 17 Pro – Lower level of details in difficult conditions
DXOMARK CHART (DMC) detail preservation video score vs lux levels
This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail preservation video score with the level of lux in video. DMC detail preservation score is derived from an AI-based metric trained to evaluate texture and details rendering on a selection of crops of our DXOMARK chart.
Noise tests analyze various attributes of noise such as intensity, chromaticity, grain, structure, temporal aspects on real-life video recording as well as videos of charts taken in the lab. Natural videos are visually evaluated, with particular attention paid to the noise in the dark areas and high dynamic range conditions. Objective measurements are performed on the videos of charts recorded in various conditions from 0.1 to 10000 lux. The chart used is the DXOMARK visual noise chart.
How does the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL Video Boost perform in Video Noise:
- Noise is generally well controlled across different video conditions.
- Video Boost provides a particularly good balance between noise reduction and detail preservation.
Spatial visual noise evolution with the illuminance level
This graph shows the evolution of spatial visual noise with the level of lux. Spatial visual noise is measured on the visual noise chart in the video noise setup. DXOMARK visual noise measurement is derived from ISO15739 standard.
Temporal visual noise evolution with the illuminance level
This graph shows the evolution of temporal visual noise with the level of lux. Temporal visual noise is measured on the visual noise chart in the video noise setup.
Stabilization evaluation tests the ability of the device to stabilize footage thanks to software or hardware technologies such as OIS, EIS, or any others means. The evaluation looks at residual motion, smoothness, jello artifacts and residual motion blur on walk and run use cases in various lighting conditions. The video below is an extract from one of the tested scenes.
How does the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL Video Boost perform in Video Stabilization :
- Stabilization is efficient during both walking and running.
- Footage remains smooth during handheld camera movement.
- Video Walk illustrates good control of residual motion.
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL VB – Very efficient stabilization but camera trajectory could be smoother
Apple iPhone 17 Pro – Efficient stabilization and smooth camera trajectory
Artifacts
Artifacts are evaluated with MTF and ringing measurements on the SFR chart in the lab as well as frame-rate measurements using the LED Universal Timer. Natural videos are visually evaluated by paying particular attention to artifacts such as aliasing, quantization, blocking, and hue shift, among others. The more severe and the more frequent the artifact, the higher the point deduction from the score. The main artifacts and corresponding point loss are listed below.
Main video artifacts penalties
All image quality attributes are evaluated at focal lengths from approximately 12 mm to 300 mm, with particular attention paid to texture and smoothness of the zooming effect. The score is derived from a number of objective measurements in the lab and perceptual analysis of real-life video recordings.
DXOMARK CHART (DMC) detail preservation score per focal length
This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail preservation score with respect to the full-frame equivalent focal length for different light conditions. The x-axis represents the equivalent focal length measured for each corresponding shooting distance and the y-axis represents the maximum details preservation metric score: higher value means better quality. Large dots correspond to zoom ratio available in the user interface of the camera application.
DXOMARK CHART (DMC) detail preservation score per focal length
This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail preservation score with respect to the full-frame equivalent focal length for different light conditions. The x-axis represents the equivalent focal length measured for each corresponding shooting distance and the y-axis represents the maximum details preservation metric score: higher value means better quality. Large dots correspond to zoom ratio available in the user interface of the camera application.
DXOMARK CHART (DMC) detail preservation score per focal length
This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail preservation score with respect to the full-frame equivalent focal length for different light conditions. The x-axis represents the equivalent focal length measured for each corresponding shooting distance and the y-axis represents the maximum details preservation metric score: higher value means better quality. Large dots correspond to zoom ratio available in the user interface of the camera application.
How does the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL VB perform in Video Ultrawide:
- Video Boost provides better detail preservation than the standard video mode.
- Noise is reduced compared with the basic video rendering.
- Fine-detail preservation remains more limited than with the main and telephoto cameras.
DXOMARK CHART (DMC) detail preservation score per focal length
This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail preservation score with respect to the full-frame equivalent focal length for different light conditions. The x-axis represents the equivalent focal length measured for each corresponding shooting distance and the y-axis represents the maximum details preservation metric score: higher value means better quality. Large dots correspond to zoom ratio available in the user interface of the camera application.
DXOMARK CHART (DMC) detail preservation score per focal length
This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail preservation score with respect to the full-frame equivalent focal length for different light conditions. The x-axis represents the equivalent focal length measured for each corresponding shooting distance and the y-axis represents the maximum details preservation metric score: higher value means better quality. Large dots correspond to zoom ratio available in the user interface of the camera application.
DXOMARK CHART (DMC) detail preservation score per focal length
This graph shows the evolution of the DMC detail preservation score with respect to the full-frame equivalent focal length for different light conditions. The x-axis represents the equivalent focal length measured for each corresponding shooting distance and the y-axis represents the maximum details preservation metric score: higher value means better quality. Large dots correspond to zoom ratio available in the user interface of the camera application.
How does the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL VB perform in Video Telephoto:
- Video Boost improves detail preservation when using the dedicated telephoto camera.
- Fine details are particularly convincing once the telephoto module is engaged.
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL VB – Lack of details and unnatural rendering
Apple iPhone 17 Pro – Good level of detail and natural rendering
