Which Google Pixel should you buy in 2026? Between the Pixel 11 line released in August, last year's Pixel 10 models, the cheaper "a" models, the foldables and older Pro models sold refurbished, prices run from €150 to nearly €2,000. Picksly tracks 22 Pixels, from the Pixel 6a to the Pixel 11 Pro XL, and gives each a score out of 100 calculated from published measurements (performance, camera, battery life, display) and announced specifications. Here, profile by profile, is the Pixel that suits you — and the ones whose price is not justified.

The prices quoted were checked in France between 25 October and 11 November 2026, each with its date and store; the scores were re-read on 11 November. Always check the store's price before buying. Picksly does not test phones itself: see the method.

What to know before choosing a Pixel

  • The strengths: the camera (90/100 for the Pixel 8 Pro, 88 for the Pixel 11 Pro XL) and the length of support: 7 Android versions announced for every Pixel since the Pixel 8, against 5 for the Pixel 6a, 7, 7a, 7 Pro and Fold. A refurbished Pixel 8 Pro is therefore supported for a long time.
  • The measured weaknesses: chip performance (50/100 at best, for the Pixel 11 models, when the latest iPhones and Galaxy phones reach 100) and battery life, weak on most models (14/100 for the Pixel 10 and 10 Pro).
  • In the overall ranking, the best scored, the Pixel 11 Pro XL (67/100), is 56th of the 381 smartphones scored, and no Pixel is in the Top 10 smartphones. You choose a Pixel for its camera, clean Android and length of support, not for performance.

Budget profile: the refurbished Pixel 8 Pro

The Budget profile looks for the best product for the least money, refurbished included. At Google, the best Budget score goes by far to the Pixel 8 Pro (65/100), found refurbished at €314 (eBay, 5 November). It combines the best camera score of all Pixels (90/100), a very well rated display (88/100) and 7 announced Android versions.

Behind it, at 56/100: the Pixel 11 Pro XL (refurbished at €922.90, eBay, 10 November) and the Pixel 9 Pro XL refurbished at €432.63 (eBay, 11 November); then, at 53/100, the Pixel 7 Pro refurbished at €215 (Refurbed, 5 November), good for camera (88/100) but supported for less time (5 versions). See all refurbished Pixels ranked by Budget score.

Smart profile: the best value for money

The Smart profile takes into account the score and the new price. At the top: the Pixel 11 Pro XL (Smart 65/100, €977.65 new on eBay, 11 November), then the Pixel 8 Pro, still found new at €516 (eBay, 11 November; 59/100), and the Pixel 11 Pro (58/100, €929 on eBay, 11 November).

The Pixel 11, at €799 new (Amazon, 1 November), stays at 52/100 for Smart: its camera scores lower than the Pro models' (68 against 88 for the 11 Pro XL). Cheaper, the Pixel 10 Pro new at €695.40 (eBay, 11 November) and the 10 Pro XL at €824.68 (Amazon, 27 October) score 54 and 57/100 for Smart.

To avoid at the prices checked: the first Pixel Fold, now only found refurbished, at €714.61 (Amazon, 25 October), for a score of 36/100. Among the "a" models, the Pixel 9a new at €417.70 (eBay, 5 November) costs less than the Pixel 10a at €449 (eBay, 5 November), but those €31 more buy much better battery life (42 against 19): take the 10a.

Premium profile: the best, regardless of price

The Premium profile only keeps models less than 24 months old. The Pixel 11 Pro XL scores 69/100 there, ahead of the Pixel 10 Pro XL (64/100) and the Pixel 11 Pro (62/100). It is the only recent Pixel with decent measured battery life (56/100), and has the best camera score of its generation (88/100).

The foldables, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Pixel 11 Pro Fold, score 58/100 for Premium. The 11 Pro Fold costs €1,999 new (Amazon, 25 October); the 10 Pro Fold is now only found refurbished, at €944 (Refurbed, 5 November). Their battery life (20 and 15/100) weighs heavily.

Pro, Pro XL, base model or "a"?

  • Pro or Pro XL: in 2026, the Pro XL has better battery life (56 against 46/100 for the 11 generation) and a larger screen (6.8 against 6.3 inches), for about €50 more new (€977.65 against €929 on eBay on 11 November).
  • Base model: the Pixel 11 has the same performance score as the Pro models (50/100), but lower camera and memory scores.
  • "a" models: the cheapest new, but scored 29 and 36 out of 100 (Pixel 9a and 10a); a refurbished Pixel 8 Pro at €314 does much better for less.

To go further: our advice for buying a refurbished smartphone, the guide to choosing a Samsung Galaxy and, for Apple, the guide to choosing an iPhone.

FAQ

What is the best Pixel in 2026?

According to Picksly's scores, the Pixel 11 Pro XL (67/100), then the Pixel 11 Pro (60/100). The 11 Pro XL was €977.65 new in France on 11 November 2026.

Which Pixel to choose for under €400?

The refurbished Pixel 8 Pro (€314): the best Budget score of all Pixels, an excellent camera and 7 announced Android versions.

How long is a Pixel updated?

Google announces 7 Android versions for every Pixel since the Pixel 8, 5 for the Pixel 6a, 7, 7a, 7 Pro and Fold. For a refurbished phone, count from the model's release, not from your purchase date.

Picksly may earn a commission through affiliate links, at no extra cost to you, and this influences neither the scores nor the ranking. What affiliation can change is explained on our transparency page.

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