Google’s Pixel 11 Series Faces Challenges in Gaming Performance
Google’s latest Pixel 11 series smartphones have been put to the test by various technology reviewers, revealing some limitations in graphics performance, particularly when running demanding Android games on the devices.
Android Authority conducted tests on the Pixel 11 Pro XL using popular games like Call of Duty: Mobile, Asphalt Legends, and Genshin Impact. While Call of Duty managed to stay above 60 frames per second, it struggled to consistently reach the 90 fps limit. Asphalt Legends and Genshin Impact, on the other hand, were playable but failed to maintain 60 fps at high graphics settings.
Comparisons with the previous Pixel 10 Pro XL showed minimal improvements in performance. Asphalt Legends saw a slight frame-rate gain of less than 5%, while Call of Duty and Genshin Impact showed slightly lower average performance. Issues such as texture pop-in and occasional stuttering were also noted during the testing.
Heat management became a concern under sustained load, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius during gameplay. Frame rates became less stable as the devices heated up, affecting the overall gaming experience.
Earlier reports of graphical issues in Genshin Impact seem to have been addressed, with no reproduction of the purple-screen bug during recent testing by Android Authority.
Challenges Highlighted by Other Reviewers
Tests conducted by WIRED on the standard Pixel 11 with the game Wuthering Waves revealed similar limitations in graphics performance. While the game remained playable, frequent dropped frames were reported during combat scenarios. Less demanding titles like Mini Metro and Alto’s Odyssey ran without similar issues.
TechRadar and another Android Authority reviewer found that the Pixel 11 Pro handled games like Asphalt Legends and Fortnite without major difficulties, suggesting that the Tensor G6 chip is capable of running mainstream games, albeit with some limitations compared to rival processors.
Snapdragon Flagships Outperform Pixel in Gaming Performance
A comparison between the Pixel 11 Pro XL and the Xiaomi 17 Ultra, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, highlighted the significant difference in gaming performance. The Xiaomi device offered higher frame rates and graphics settings in games like Call of Duty, Asphalt Legends, and Genshin Impact compared to the Pixel.
Synthetic graphics tests conducted by PhoneArena also showed a notable performance gap between the Pixel 11 Pro XL and flagship devices like the Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 outperformed the Pixel in various benchmarks, showcasing the superior gaming capabilities of Qualcomm’s processor.
Overall, while the Pixel 11 series can handle everyday tasks and lighter games effectively, it falls short when it comes to demanding graphics workloads, highlighting the need for improvements in future iterations of Google’s flagship smartphones.
