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

The Pixel 11 Pro is precisely what I thought it would be, and it’s still been as divisive as ever. Early reviews have been positive, and it’s clear Google leaned into what has made its Pixel lineup more successful over the last few years. The phones are pleasant and easy to use, ideal for beginners switching over to Android for the first time.

However, it’s also never been more apparent that Pixels aren’t for enthusiasts who stare at benchmarks before buying a phone. And the Pixel 11 Pro has legitimate weaknesses. It’s fair to point them out and explain that people may want alternatives.

Thankfully, there’s an excellent crop of Android phones to choose from if the Pixel 11 Pro doesn’t quite earn your money.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus

It’s only natural to turn towards Samsung for an Android phone alternative to the Pixel 11 Pro. The middle child of the S26 lineup — the Galaxy S26 Plus — offers much of what critics feel Google’s flagship lacks.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset is powerful enough to handle anything you throw at it, and the S26 Plus doesn’t carry the same gaming question marks as the Pixel. There’s also no RAM gap this year. Yes, you can pay up for a 16GB version of the Pixel 11 Pro — an option you don’t get from Samsung. However, that will cost more. And at similar price points, the S26 Plus and Pixel 11 Pro both offer 12GB of RAM.

Samsung also offers other perks. While I’d have liked to see a more robust camera system on the S26 Plus for the money, it’s hard to argue with the company’s software approach. One UI 9 is feature-rich and running well, and Samsung promises the same seven years of upgrades that Google does. Battery life is solid, and the phone offers a premium build. If you want to save even more money with a similar but more compact experience, the base Galaxy S26 is also worth a look.

Motorola Razr (2026)

I struggled with this next pick because, even though people can fairly knock the benchmarks and raw performance of the Pixel 11 Pro, it is unfair to label it a midrange chipset. The Motorola Razr (2026) is an excellent Android alternative to the Pixel 11 Pro, not because of its performance, but because of its style. If you’re considering a Pixel 11 Pro, specs may not matter. You’re probably more focused on the user experience, and the Razr offers an amazing one.

It’s a compact, capable device that’s a ton of fun to use. You’re not going to get anywhere near the software support from Motorola that you will from Google, but the experience of carrying the Razr around is exciting. The Razr may only offer midrange performance, but it’s not a potato. I’ve never experienced any slowdowns with mine, and if you’re not a hardcore user, you’ll rarely notice limitations. It also features fantastic battery life, decent cameras, and a fun cover screen to stop you from scrolling all day. If you want something different, the Razr (2026) should be on your radar.

Nothing Phone 3

I wouldn’t have included a Nothing Phone on this list a year ago, but the company has made strides to become a viable alternative here in the US. I still don’t think Android brands are a threat until they are in carrier stores, but Best Buy is a solid start. Buyers can at least feel the devices before deciding, and we should never underestimate that.

The Nothing Phone 3 has plenty to offer. It features a Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 chipset with either 12 or 16GB of RAM. I mention the 16GB model because you can get it for less than the base Pixel 11 Pro. The Nothing Phone has a sizable 5,150mAh silicon-carbon battery and fast 65W wired charging. Nothing promises five years of software updates, and the company has done a decent job with NothingOS. It’s not as intuitive as Google’s software, but it’s user-friendly, approachable, and fun. The phone’s triple 50MP setup also makes it worth a look.

Google Pixel 10 Pro

Some of the Pixel 11 Pro’s stiffest competition comes from Google’s own lineup. The Pixel 10 Pro is still a fantastic device, and you can buy it for a lot less. A year-old flagship being an excellent deal compared to its new successor isn’t particularly shocking — it happens with almost every manufacturer. However, it’s worth pointing out.

The Tensor G5 powering my Pixel 10 Pro is running well, and I’ve had zero complaints about updates. The phone is still slated for almost six more years of support, and the cameras look fantastic. It also has 16GB of RAM, compared to 12GB on the newer Pixel 11 Pro base models, leading some people to feel they are getting more for less. By buying a Pixel 10 Pro instead, you do miss out on the upgraded cameras, but I don’t feel like I’m losing out on much else.

Google may not bring all the new Gemini features to older hardware immediately; I am looking for options later down the road that may include getting them through the cloud. Either way, the Pixel 10 Pro is a fantastic way to get a solid Google smartphone experience for less.

Google Pixel 11

If you want a new phone but still want to save money, the Pixel 11 is an excellent alternative. You do miss out on the improved cameras, but unlike past phones such as the Pixel 9, you don’t have to sacrifice a telephoto lens to get Google’s entry-level flagship. It keeps the compact flagship feel of the Pixel 11 Pro, with a 6.3-inch display. Yes, I can notice a slight difference between Actua and Super Actua panels, but in a vacuum, you’ll enjoy the Pixel 11’s screen.

The device features a decent nearly 5,000mAh battery, and while charging speeds are still pathetic for 2026, it gets the job done — especially if you love your Pixelsnap accessories as I do. Its Tensor G6 chipset and 12GB of RAM are the same powerplant as the Pixel 11 Pro, but for less money. You also get to choose from some fun colors, and if you don’t pick up a Hibiscus one, you’re doing it wrong.

I get it if you’re not all-in on a new Pixel 11 Pro. It’s a solid phone that I think plenty of buyers will love. However, there are some wonderful alternatives for people who want more power from their phones or who just want to spend less.