Best Google Pixel 11 Pro XL screen protectors

All the best Google Pixel 11 Pro XL screen protectors prevent your mighty expensive Google flagship from cracking from drops and bumps. Even the smallest of scrapes or nicks can be a problem, as it might impair water-proofing. Why take the chance? Just install one of the finest screen guards as soon as your Pixel 11 Pro XL arrives and you will be golden.

Grab one of these solid Pixel 11 Pro XL screen protectors

Spigen GlasTR EZ FIT Pro Screen Protector for Pixel 11 Pro XL

Best overall

Shatter-proof, case-friendly, and easy to install, this hardy AluminaCore glass screen protector is affordable, comes in a two-pack, and offers superb touch sensitivity. You can't get better screen protection for your Pixel 11 Pro XL.

Ferilinso Screen Protector for Google Pixel 11 Pro XL

Best all-in-one

The Ferilinso Screen Protector for Google Pixel 11 Pro XL is an all-inclusive deal that gives you three darkened camera lens guards, three case-friendly 9H+ tempered glass screen protectors, and an easy-install frame.

TAURI 2 Pack Google Pixel 11 Pro XL Privacy Screen Protector

Best privacy

The Pixel 11 Pro XL may not have the S26 Ultra's privacy display, but this screen protector set of two can make that happen on the low. The TAURI 2 Pack Google Pixel 11 Pro XL Privacy Screen Protector blocks visibility from far, protecting your business.

ZAGG Glass XTR5 Blue Light Screen Protector for Google Pixel 11 Pro XL

Best eye-comfort

The ZAGG Glass XTR5 filters harmful blue light emissions coming off your Pixel 11 Pro XL's display. ZAGG promises that this high-quality screen protector is 11 times stronger than your average glass protectors. For a single piece, the price tag is hefty.

Spigen Glas.tR EZ FIT Pro Optik Camera Lens Protector for Pixel 11 Pro XL

Best lens guard

Spigen's Glas.tR EZ FIT Pro Optik is made of its high-grade AluminaCore glass that is shatter and scratch-proof. Since the Pixel 11 Pro XL's camera bar is quite prominent and juts out, a sturdy lens guard like this is a wise purchase.

Dbrand Prism 2.0 Screen Protector for Pixel 11 Pro XL

Best for non-case use

Dbrand promises an "idiot-proof" installation with its two-step installation frame included with this two-pack of premium tempered glass protectors. This is the non-case version, so it covers the entirety of the Pixel 11 Pro XL's OLED panel.

• Back to the top ^

Focus on screen protectors that work with your style, with a case on or without one

Most folks probably prefer to rock their Pixel 11 Pro XL with a case on. Whether you do or don't, your screen protector needs to take that into account. Forgoing one is risky, so bear in mind that adding a screen guard won't protect the body of your Google phone.

The Spigen GlasTR EZ FIT Pro Screen Protector for the Pixel 11 Pro XL is affordably priced, costing you $19.99 for two pieces of reliable tempered glass screen protectors. I have tried and tested this screen guard on my last-gen Pixel and am still satisfied by its quality and longevity. This kit also comes with a handy alignment tool, as well as all the cleaning tools you could need for the tidiest self-installation process you can achieve at home.

Spigen offers case-friendly screen protectors, as does virtually every other screen guard brand. Dbrand does something neat, letting buyers choose between case-friendly and non-case-friendly variants of its scratch resistant Prism 2.0 Screen Protector. If you're an adventurous person who doesn't usually use a phone cover, it's a good idea to get the case-less variant of Dbrand's screen protector. It comes with the brand's easy-install frame that only takes two steps to use, so the two-pack is a worthwhile purchase.

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Google Pixel 12: Everything we know so far

The Google Pixel 11 marks another year in which Google is reusing the design started with the Pixel 9 series, but if history is any indication, we could see a big shake-up with the Pixel 12.

Google's Pixel phones have been gaining traction in the market over the past few years, owing to Google's "iPhone-like" approach to the series hardware design and software leanings. Even Google's marketing looks a lot more like Apple's these days, but we're hoping Google continues to maintain its historic spirit of innovation in the next round of devices.

And that's where Pixel 12 comes in. Pixel phones have looked the same for the past three years, but they've always packed an experimental surprise that keeps everyone guessing. From squeezable sides to radar-powered gesture sensors, and even the new HiLight LED on the back of the Pixel 11, it's a wonder what Google will think up next. Let's explore all the leaks and rumors for Google's next device and see what they have cooking, shall we?

Price and availability

(Image credit: Google)

We fully expect the Google Pixel 12 family to debut next August, following a similar release cadence to the past few Pixels. Per one leak, Google will likely continue releasing four models for the Pixel 12 family: the base Pixel 12, the Pixel 12 Pro, the larger Pixel 12 Pro XL, and the foldable Pixel 12 Pro Fold.

Unless something drastically changes over the course of the next year, there's also a high likelihood that each model will see another price increase. RAM and storage are at a premium right now, and prices are expected to continue to rise throughout 2027 (and maybe beyond) as AI data centers hog the world's supply of RAM and storage modules. The trickle-down effect is more expensive consumer electronics, which everyone is familiar with at this point.

Spec bumps galore

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Every year, people expect the usual spec bumps to occur. A faster processor, better battery life, faster charging speed, etc. So far, Google has always met that expectation, albeit Tensor processors have always been slower than competing chips from Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Samsung Exynos.

While we don't know too much about the Tensor G7 processor that will likely power the Google Pixel 12 series, a few leaks give us some clues as to what's possible on the next chip. First up is a potential RAM upgrade (via Reptalica), with Google reportedly testing out LPDDR5x and LPDDR6 versions of Tensor G7. Looking at the numbers over the years offers a sneak peek at what this could bring:

• Pixel 1 (LPDDR4): ~4.2Gbps
• Pixel 2-5 (LPDDR4X): ~4.2Gbps (same speed, lower power requirements)
• Pixel 6-7 (LPDDR5): ~6.4Gbps
• Pixel 8-11 (LPDDR5x): ~10.6Gbps
• Pixel 12 (LPDDR6 rumored): estimated ~14.4Gbps

Given the state of RAMageddon and the chipset crisis right now, it's entirely plausible that Google will remain with LPDDR5x for one more year just to save on costs. Still, we can hope for a sizable Tensor speed boost in 2027 if the cards line up right.

Next, we're looking at a potential battery capacity upgrade for the Pixel 12, if one comment from a Google rep holds any water. When asked about silicon-carbon batteries during the Pixel 11 event, a Google representative said the Pixel team was looking into implementing them.

Now, that comment doesn't say the company will definitely implement silicon-carbon into future Pixel batteries, and it doesn't specifically say Pixel 12, either. However, given that Samsung just began using 5% silicon-carbon content in the batteries on the Galaxy Z Fold 8 and Z Fold 8 Ultra, the likelihood that Google follows suit next year is pretty darn high.

What I'd like to see

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Google once again is using an outdated PowerVR GPU in the Pixel 11, a mistake the company made with the Pixel 10 and appears not to have learned from. On the Pixel 12, we're hoping Google uses a modern GPU that supports the latest Vulkan standards and delivers the gaming performance people expect from $1,200+ phones.

I'd also like to see Google switch up the design to make it more ergonomic. For years and years, Pixel phones were known for their comfortable, rounded edges and contoured lines that fit nicely in a human hand. With the Pixel 9, Google went a very flat route all around, once again going with a very iPhone-like look.

Google has historically stuck with a specific design language for 2-3 years at a time, so if history repeats itself again, we should be in for a big redesign with the Pixel 12.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Additionally, I'd like to see Google take flicker accessibility more seriously. Pixel phones have had the worst PWM dimming rate for years, and while the Pixel 11 sports the same "sensitive eyes" feature that launched on some Pixel 10 models, that setting still doesn't go far enough in solving the problem for flicker-sensitive people like myself.

Google generally does a great job with bespoke accessibility features, like the amazing sign-language-to-text tool that launched with the Pixel 11, and I know they can get this one right if they want to.

(Image credit: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)

Lastly, I'd love to see HiLight be a little more...interesting. I got super excited about the Pixel Glow leaks and what we thought was a tease at Google I/O in May, and it turned out to be a tiny LED on the camera island instead of a glowing statement. HiLight is also very basic so far, at least as of the Pixel 11's launch, so any improvement here is sorely needed to make this a useful (or even just interesting) feature.

It'll be some time before we see an official Pixel 12 announcement, but I'm fully expecting plenty of leaks to happen over the next several months. That's always been the case with Pixels, and there's no reason to think that'll dry up this time.

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You don't need a TV app to stream 10,000 free movies on Google’s Freeplay right now

What you need to know

• Google TV Freeplay now offers more than 10,000 on-demand movies and TV shows at no subscription cost.
• The service has grown beyond 300 channels covering news, sports, reality TV, true crime, and entertainment.
• The catalog includes titles from A24 and Lionsgate, including Lady Bird, Seventeen Again, and Hell’s Kitchen.

If you want free movies without paying for another subscription, Google TV Freeplay just got a huge upgrade. Google’s built-in streaming service has expanded beyond live channels to include more than 10,000 on-demand movies and TV shows for free.

The update pushes Google's free live-TV lineup past the 300-channel mark. The lineup includes news, sports, reality TV, true crime, entertainment, and more, with new additions including Bloomberg TV+, Yahoo! Sports Network, World of Love Island, and The Martha Stewart Channel.

The number of channels is also moving fast. Freeplay crossed the 250-channel mark in December 2025, meaning Google has added roughly 50 more channels in only a few months.

Google says the library includes titles from studios such as A24 and Lionsgate, with examples including Lady Bird, Seventeen Again, and Hell’s Kitchen. The catalog will also be refreshed throughout the year, so the selection won’t be static.

That makes the update especially useful for Google TV owners. Supported Google TV devices come with Freeplay baked in, so you don’t have to install another streaming app to browse the new catalog. Open the Freeplay app from the Home screen and begin watching.

The update is delivered directly to Google TV Streamer boxes and smart TVs from brands including Sony, TCL, and Hisense, with no additional downloads required.

There’s one catch, though. The content is ad-supported, so “free” doesn’t mean commercial-free. The expanded Freeplay offering is currently limited to the U.S. and requires a Google account and a high-speed internet connection.

Yet, adding more than 10,000 on-demand titles makes a huge difference to Freeplay’s identity. Google is breaking away from scheduled free TV and giving viewers a true pick-what-you-want option without another monthly bill. With subscription fatigue at an all-time high, Google’s move puts serious pressure on paid rivals like Netflix while giving Tubi and Pluto TV a run for their money.

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This Android phone became a desktop PC, and it can run The Witcher 3

What you need to know

• A 24GB Snapdragon 8 Elite Nubia Z70 Ultra was rebuilt inside a custom acrylic case and sandwiched between two full-size CPU coolers.
• The oversized setup helps prevent thermal throttling, delivering 99% stability across 20 3DMark Wild Life Extreme loops.
• Termux with GPU acceleration lets the phone power an XFCE Linux desktop with an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse.
• The phone reportedly manages around 20–30fps, with the GPU reaching roughly 99% utilization.

Most smartphones hit a thermal ceiling the second you push them beyond casual mobile gaming. But someone took that limitation as a personal challenge and stripped down a Nubia Z70 Ultra, literally sandwiching it between two full-size PC CPU coolers inside a custom acrylic housing. The outcome is a franken-rig smartphone that doubles as a surprisingly viable desktop replacement.

The project, shared by Reddit user ntsow, takes a 24GB Nubia Z70 Ultra with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite and places the phone’s main hardware between two desktop processor coolers inside a custom acrylic case. The original display of the phone has been moved to the front of the case, but the coolers are in direct contact with the shielding over the Snapdragon chip.

Why go that far? Reliable performance. Smartphones can throttle their processors when temperatures climb, but this overbuilt cooling setup means the Snapdragon 8 Elite can keep up a much more consistent performance. In a 3DMark Wild Life Extreme stress test, the modified phone scored 6,980 on its best loop and 6,910 on its lowest with 99% stability over 20 loops.

Outside of benchmarks, the Z70 Ultra runs a full XFCE Linux desktop via Termux with GPU acceleration, enabling it to work with an external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. Tools such as Wine, Box64, and GameNative can also make the setup run Windows software and games.

The experiment doesn’t really prove a phone can replace a PC, but it does show that sustained cooling might be just as important as raw silicon when you push modern smartphone chips into PC-class workloads.

ntsow / Reddit

ntsow / Reddit

ntsow / Reddit

And yes, it can run Witcher 3. The game apparently runs at around 20-30 frames per second at 1920 x 1080 with the Ultra preset, with the GPU hitting about 99% utilization. In some scenes, it can even push a little over 30fps.

However, there is a drawback to the performance. The phone is still working very hard, and a screenshot showed temperatures nearing 100 degrees Celsius. That was recorded in Nubia’s Diablo Mode, which pushes the hardware to its maximum power and allows overclocking, the builder says.

But it’s not a practical substitute for a gaming PC, and that’s almost beside the point. The experiment shows just how powerful modern phone hardware is when thermal limits are aggressively removed. The creator is still working on the software and intends to push the setup further, possibly turning one Android phone into an all-in-one machine for Android, Linux, and Windows workloads.

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Google Play is hiding a Pixel 11 Pro discount in plain sight

What you need to know

• Google is quietly dropping Pixel 11 discounts directly in the Google Play Store app.
• Platinum members get up to $175 off select Pixel hardware. That includes $150 off the Pixel 11 series, $175 off the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, and $75 off the Pixel Watch 5.
• This offer is an instant upfront discount, meaning you can stack it on top of a standard phone trade-in to double down on savings.

Google has another Pixel 11 discount, but it is not sitting on the main Google Store page. Instead, the company is discreetly offering Play Points members an instant discount through the Google Play app, and you might be able to combine it with a trade-in.

It appears that the offer depends on your Google Play Points status. For example, the folks over at Droid Life have found that Platinum members can currently get $150 off the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro XL. The discount also applies to other new hardware, with $175 off the Pixel 11 Pro Fold and $75 off the Pixel Watch 5.

Note that this isn’t a trade-in credit. It’s an upfront discount, so you could potentially stack it on top of a trade-in to increase your overall savings. In other words, your Play Points perk becomes more useful if you were already planning to upgrade.

The offer is a little less obvious than it should be. Open Google Play and tap your profile or the Play Points icon. Tap the Perks tab. If your account is eligible, you should see your Pixel offer there.

It’s not entirely new, as Google has used Play Points for discounts on Pixels before. But, with Pixel 11 preorders now open, you might want to check your Play Points before you pay to save a significant amount of money.

There’s another option you might want to consider. AT&T is selling the Pixel 11 Pro for $0 if you trade in any previous Pixel you have, though the deal does require an eligible service plan.

At the moment, the Play Points discount is just another reason to check out all the offers available before you pay. More importantly, look at the final price after trade-in, gift cards and plan requirements and not just the headline discount.

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Google should have gone the GTA 6 route with its Pixel 11 show; instead, we got the Trevor Noah cringe fest

Google launched its brand-new Pixel 11 series and Pixel Watch 5 yesterday at 10 am, and then, eight hours later, re-announced the entire series in an awkward, 1.5-hour-long online presentation hosted by comedic sensation Trevor Noah.

The show was broadcast on YouTube, and at one point only 57,000 people were watching, but I think it did go up to 80,000. Comments were also turned off, and I’m not surprised why.

There were only two really amazing parts of the show: the first was when Joël Yawili, a Senior Product Manager for the Gemini app, appeared on the show, and the second was when the company announced a new accessibility feature called Sign-to-Text, which I’ll get to later.

I want to first focus on the show. There were some compelling moments when I thought it could have worked, but overall, I think what Google was trying to do wasn’t executed the way the company wanted.

Trevor Noah vs. Google

(Image credit: Google)

The whole point of a lifestyle show catered to consumers was to communicate how amazing Pixels are. And they are! In my hands-on with the Pixel 11 series, I wrote that the company has actually upped the game for AI on smartphones.

And asking Trevor Noah to host could have been a smart move.

But the whole show was a cringe fest. And I think it’s because you’re watching someone like Noah, who is super casual, a comedian who knows how to host a show, next to someone from Google who was clearly PR trained and was given a very specific script to follow.

Noah seemed bored, and at times seemed very uninterested in wanting to be there. He even tried to make a very obvious dick joke that clearly wasn’t well received by the Google product expert who was talking with him. The audience did laugh, though (and so did I).

What was Google trying to do with this event?

(Image credit: Google)

I think this show was a very obvious move by Google. It was a way to connect with consumers and help them understand their phones and what the new devices can do.

Traditionally, launch shows are hosted mostly to present to developers, tech enthusiasts, bloggers, influencers, and the media. And the message is then disseminated to the rest of the world through articles, photos, interviews, etc.

We’ve seen these shows evolve to something more spectacular, with special guests, celebrities, and even athletes to show off how they use these phones — all an effort to better connect with consumers. Because at the end of the day, that’s the biggest challenge for any tech company: How do you connect people with your product so they will buy it?

Last year was the first time that Google went completely out of the box, and to be fair, the company put on a pretty cool show. Jimmy Fallon hosted, and everything was pretty exciting… and it made sense because it was 10 years of the Pixel. So doing something spectacular was logical.

(Image credit: Google)

And I would have been completely fine if Google wanted to do the same thing again this year. What really threw me for a loop was the decision to host the show… eight hours after the phones were announced and made public.

At that point you’ve completely lost the audience. Consumers already know about the phones; they are reading our articles, they’re looking at what influencers are posting, and they have no real reason to go to a show, even one hosted by Trevor Noah.

While it makes sense to stream the event on YouTube, since Google controls the platform, a better move would have been to partner with a streaming service such as Netflix or Paramount Plus. An example of a showcase like this is Grand Theft Auto 6: An Extended Look, premiering on Netflix later this month, showing that this is clearly an avenue other companies are exploring to showcase new and upcoming launches.

It could even have been something short-lived, like WWE’s annual WrestleMania, which is now streamed on Netflix. And it could have been titled “Trevor Noah presents … the Google Pixel 11.”

The best parts of the show

(Image credit: Google)

For me, when Joël Yawili, a Senior Product Manager at Google, came on the show, there was a visible positive shift in the conversation. At first, Noah once again came across as uninterested and even said, “another demo,” almost as if he were really bored.

But when Yawili began to speak, he didn’t start with a script. He decided to shift the focus to a genuine connection he seemed to have with Noah: They grew up in the same town, it turns out. It also helped that Yawili seemed to genuinely care about the product he’s worked on. The entire interaction and demo truly made me smile.

I also loved how, in Yawili’s demonstration, he brought in a text conversation he was having with his mother, and the way he did it was so casual that it made me want to keep watching.

(Image credit: Google)

The second time the show hit for me was when Google showed off its new Sign-to-Text feature. Watching how it was demonstrated was fascinating, and the two individuals on stage really seemed interested in what they were doing and how this should have a huge impact on many people in the hard-of-hearing and -speaking community.

(Image credit: Google)

I’ll end this by saying I don’t think Google did a bad job; I just think it wasn’t thoroughly thought out. I think the show could have been executed a bit differently, and I think it shouldn’t have been done eight hours after the products were announced.

Google was doing the right thing by wanting to connect with consumers, and I think it can — just with a few tweaks. Are there patches for a live event?

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This T-Mobile preorder deal gives you the Pixel Watch 5 for the price of a monthly latte — no trade-in required!

The Google Pixel Watch 5 has finally been revealed with an August 20th release date, and there are already several preorder deals that could make the flagship wearable dirt cheap if you play your cards right. 

Grab the watch from T-Mobile with Mobile Plan Plus 2.0 and you'll score $300 off your purchase. That knocks the price of your preorder down to just $5.55 per month for 36 months! One of the best Android smartwatches of 2026 for the price of a large latte every month? Sign me up. 

Preorder the Google Pixel Watch 5 for just over $5/month at T-Mobile

Google Pixel Watch 5 41mm: $499.99 $5.55 per month with Watch Plan Plus 2.0 at T-Mobile

Ready to experience Google's latest and greatest wearable creation? Preorder the Pixel Watch 5 with the Watch Plan Plus 2.0 plan and T-Mobile will give you $300 off your purchase. That knocks the price of the preorder down to $5.55 per month!

Starting at $15 per month, Watch Plan Plus 2.0 gives you unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data for your smartwatch, plus unlimited texting and 5GB of data in over 215 countries worldwide (15GB of data in Mexico and Canada). View Deal

Compared to its predecessor, the Google Pixel Watch 5 is more of a refinement than a dramatic transformation, and in many ways, that's a good thing. You still get the eye-catching water droplet-inspired design with the AMOLED display, plus Wear OS 7, a Snapdragon chipset, and dual-band GPS. 

The Pixel Watch 5 also comes packed with the latest AI-boosted software features, including Generative Watch Faces, Blood Pressure Trends, and the Smart Wake Alarm. You also get twice the onboard storage compared to the Pixel Watch 4 (now it's 64GB) and a slight boost in battery life that doesn't affect the size or weight. 

So what's the catch? Well, aside from those small upgrades, the Google Pixel Watch 5 is largely unchanged from the previous generation. If you're passionate about fancy smartwatch features and/or you've never owned a Pixel watch, then I'd absolutely recommend jumping on this preorder deal. 

On the other hand, if you're already the owner of a Google Pixel Watch 4, it'd be understandable if you wanted to skip this one. It's also worth mentioning that T-Mobile has extended this $300 discount to all of the Pixel smartwatches on its site, which means you could get the Google Pixel Watch 4 for free and enjoy nearly identical performance to the 2026 model without paying a dime. The choice is yours. 

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