Why I Switched from Pixel 10 Pro XL to Galaxy Z Fold 7: 3 Key Reasons and How Pixel 11 Can Improve in the UK
My Journey from Pixel 10 Pro XL to Galaxy Z Fold 7: What Went Wrong and How Pixel 11 Can Redeem Itself in the UK
I had a love-hate relationship with the Pixel 10 Pro XL, a phone that boasts premium hardware and feature-rich software. However, over time, minor shortcomings turned into significant drawbacks, making the phone more frustrating than enjoyable to use.
One of the primary reasons I switched to the Galaxy Z Fold 7 was the restrictive software. The home screen, in particular, lacked personalisation options, with the search bar being a permanent fixture that took up a lot of space.
Another issue was the phone’s weight, which made it almost impossible to use one-handed. The Pixel 10 Pro XL weighed 232g, making it one of the heaviest phones on the market, and even with the official Pixelsnap case, it was over 260g.
The final nail in the coffin was the underwhelming zoom photography. The 48Mp periscope telephoto offered 5x optical zoom but struggled beyond 10x, with the ‘Pro Res Zoom’ feature being a letdown, often producing unrealistic scenery or hallucinations.
However, I believe that the Pixel 11 Pro XL can fix these issues. By running Android 17 out of the box, the phone will already be a big step up in the software department. Additionally, Google could introduce more customisation options, such as the ability to remove the home screen search bar and improve first-party widgets.
To address the weight issue, Google could focus on using lighter materials, such as the ‘Armor Aluminium’ used by Samsung, and make the phone slimmer. The Galaxy S26 Ultra, for example, has a bigger 6.9-inch screen yet weighs only 214g.
Finally, to improve zoom photography, Google needs to deliver a major upgrade to the telephoto lens. A simple lens upgrade would make a big difference, and the company could also consider introducing a telephoto extender kit like the Vivo X300 Pro.
If Google can address these issues, the Pixel 11 Pro XL could be a game-changer in the UK market. With a more customisable software, a lighter design, and improved zoom photography, it could easily top the best phones guide and provide a sustained positive experience over time.
