2026年10月16日 星期五

These Are the Top Skills to Master AI

GCIOSGF  Newsletter:

Reprinted 

Want to AI-Proof Your Career? NYU Stern Professor Scott Galloway Says These Are the Top Skills to Master

Galloway says that these skills will be most valuable in the years to come.

Key Takeaways

Scott Galloway is a professor at New York University’s Stern School of Business, entrepreneur and podcaster.

In a new interview, Galloway said that storytelling is the most durable skill for the AI era.

He said that the ability to analyze data, create a narrative arc and communicate well across different platforms will outlast other trends.NYU Stern business school professor Scott Galloway says in an AI-driven future, your priority should be on building lasting, practical skills — especially the ability to tell compelling stories and form strong relationships, which he predicts will remain valuable no matter how industries change.

On an episode of The Diary of a CEO podcast released earlier this week, host Steven Bartlett asked Galloway which abilities will be most valuable in the years ahead. (Galloway is also an entrepreneur; he founded the digital intelligence firm L2 in 2010 and sold the business to Gartner for $160 million in 2017.) 

Galloway noted that about a decade ago, many private schools poured resources into teaching Mandarin and computer science. The schools assumed those skills would give students a long-term advantage. In hindsight, he argued, that bet hasn’t paid off the way many expected.“How’s that worked out?” Galloway said. “‘Thank god my kid knows Mandarin,’ said nobody right now.”

Instead, he argued that the next generation should prioritize what he sees as a timeless advantage: the ability to tell a strong story. “That’s your ability to look at data, create a narrative arc and then communicate that story in a compelling way via all the different mediums,” he said. “I think you have to write well.”Galloway said top CEOs tend to stand out for their storytelling ability. He gave examples like Jeff Bezos’s early shareholder letters and Jensen Huang’s high-energy, arena-style presentations. These examples are “very compelling,” Galloway said. 

An underrated skill

Galloway also emphasized that as AI becomes more embedded in everyday work, human connection will only grow more important. He said the ability to build trust, communicate effectively and develop meaningful relationships will remain a critical advantage — something technology can’t easily replicate.

“At the end of the day, I have three different law firms pitching me business, three different investment banks,” he said. “Who do I have the best relationship with, and who do I want to work with?”

The entrepreneur and educator added that having a solid grounding in the sciences will continue to be valuable. It will be useful to have a basic understanding of how scientific and technical systems work, he said.Galloway urged the next generation to develop strong writing skills, feel confident engaging directly with others and maintain a competitive edge. One “hugely underrated” skill he observed young people are lacking, is the ability to “endure rejection.”

“The secret to my success is rejection,” Galloway said. 

Other AI-proof skills

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said in a December interview with Fox News that AI “will eliminate jobs.” However, he added that acquiring a few skills can keep you in demand. 


“My advice to people would be critical thinking,” Dimon said in the interview. “Learn EQ [emotional quotient or emotional intelligence], learn how to be good in a meeting, how to communicate, how to write. You’ll have plenty of jobs.”Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said in a 2024 company video that what separates people who build strong careers from those who stall is a constant drive to keep learning. “You have to be ravenous and hungry to find ways to learn,” Jassy said. “It’s not easy to do.”


催化資本(Catalytic Capital)起源

GCIOSGF Newsletter  會訊:

Edit: AI

催化資本(Catalytic Capital)的概念並非突然誕生,其概念與早期實踐在1990年代已隨著社區發展金融機構(CDFI)與慈善基金會的相關投入開始成形;而在最近十年內,隨著「影響力投資」與「混合金融」的興起而於2010年代中期被正式命名與廣泛推論。 

重要發展時間軸
  • 1990年代(概念雛形期):
    美國大型慈善基金會與社區發展金融機構(CDFI)開始運用具備彈性、承擔較高風險的資金,協助被主流金融體系排除的弱勢社區與平价住宅建設。
     
  • 2010年代(實踐與早期推廣):
    • 2011年:英國國際開發署旗下的投資機構(現為 British International Investment, BII)開始大規模部署此類具備先驅性質的催化資本。
    • 2016年-2017年:如 Omisytar Network、MacArthur Foundation 等機構陸續發表報告,探討跨越報酬連續體(Returns Continuum)與影響力投資的資金缺口。
    • 2018年:全球影響力投資網絡(GIIN)與麥克阿瑟基金會(MacArthur Foundation)明確發表專文,強調催化資本在填補社會與環境融資缺口上的核心角色。
  • 2019年至今(制度化與聯盟推廣):
    • 2019年:由麥克阿瑟基金會、洛克菲勒基金會及 Omidyar Network 等共同發起催化資本聯盟(Catalytic Capital Consortium, C3),正式為此概念建立主流論述、研究框架與標準定義。
    • 近年發展:在聯合國永續發展目標(SDGs)與全球淨零轉型的資金需求下,結合公私部門的「混合金融(Blended Finance)」架構(例如新加坡金管會於2023年COP28推出的FAST-P計畫),使催化資本成為全球撬動兆元商業資金的重要制度工具。 

催化資本(Catalytic Capital)

 GCIOSGF Newsletter 會訊:

Edit: AI

催化資本(Catalytic Capital)是一種願意承擔較高風險、較低回報或較長投資期限的資金,旨在撬動市場不願冒險的領域,進而引進商業資本、解決重大永續與社會難題。

核心特徵與運作方式
  • 高風險承受度:願意接受前期投入大、回報慢或不確定的創新專案(如氣候變遷解方、糧食浪費處理等)。
  • 讓步與分層機制:通常採用「先承擔損失,後分享有上限的利潤」之分層架構(returns waterfalls),降低整體投資風險。
  • 結合混合金融(Blended Finance):作為第一桶金(領頭羊),吸引商業資本、主權基金或大型機構跟進投資。 
  • 政府與開發銀行:透過公共資金、政策出資擔保或補助來帶動市場。
  • 慈善機構與基金會:從傳統的「補貼救濟」轉向「塑造市場」的主動力量。
  • 影響力投資人:追求社會與環境效益大於純粹財務回報的資金。 
  • 「催化資本」(Catalytic Capital)與其核心架構「混合金融」(Blended Finance)在台灣正處於從觀念引進走向落地實踐的關鍵轉折點。面對全球淨零碳排與永續發展(SDGs)的龐大資金需求,這種「高風險容忍度、具耐心且形式靈活」的創新資本,為台灣公私協力注入了新可能。 
    在本土發展的脈絡下,催化資本正面臨顯著的結構性挑戰,同時也迎來轉型的新契機:

    一、 核心挑戰:台灣市場的四大痛點
    傳統上,催化資本常由政府、慈善機構或影響力投資人投入「第一桶金」(如承擔首虧、提供次順位債務或信用保證),用以降低初期風險、撬動主流商業資金進場。然而,台灣推動此模式時面臨以下限制: 
    1. 資金充沛,但缺乏成熟的「交易架構與平台」
      台灣金融市場的資金極為充裕,目前綠色投融資規模已超過新台幣 4.9 兆元。然而,兆豐金控董事長董瑞斌指出,台灣的痛點不在於缺錢,而是缺乏國際級的交易架構、管道與平台。台灣金融機構雖然有能力參與國際的混合金融平台(如國泰世華參與新加坡 FAST-P 計畫),但本土尚未建立起一套標準化的運作機制。
       
    2. 中小企業專案過於分散,授信審查成本高
      台灣產業以製造業供應鏈與中小企業為主,其綠色轉型(如深度節能、水循環、廢熱回收)的單一專案金額通常僅數百萬至數千萬元。對銀行而言,每筆小案子都要進行繁複的技術評估與風險授信,審查成本過高,導致「企業想減碳、銀行有資金,兩邊卻對接不起來」的尷尬局面。
       
    3. 主流金融文化保守,法規偏向規避風險
      台灣的金融體系與開發機構(如國發基金、金融機構)在面對大眾與納稅人時,往往背負高度的責任制衡壓力,首要講求「財務效率與不虧損」。這與催化資本「刻意承受不對等風險、甚至讓利」的本質產生衝突,缺乏寬容失敗與靈活調度的制度空間。
    4. 影響力衡量與「洗綠」防範的評估工具不足
      催化資本的目標是帶來實質的社會或環境正向改變(附加性)。目前台灣對於影響力投資的評估標準、數據平台尚未完全建立,容易使投資人擔心陷入概念「漂綠(Greenwashing)」或成效難以量化的困境。

    二、 發展契機:三大轉型推力
    儘管面臨挑戰,政策的推進與產業鏈的剛性需求,正為催化資本在台灣的爆發創造絕佳時機:
    發展契機核心驅動力與政策支持預期發揮效益
    政策引導與國家級基金佈局國發會正積極引進混合金融機制,運用國發基金旗下的「百億綠色成長基金」與國家融資保證機制,主動扮演催化資本,為再生能源與重大建設分擔初期風險。政府以「首虧承擔」或「部分信用保證」扮演制度型催化者,吸引保險、私募基金與家族辦公室等商業資本進場。
    供應鏈淨零的剛性轉型需求隨著碳費開徵、《資源循環推動法》與《能源管理法》的修法推進,大量分散在台灣出口供應鏈中的中小企業,迎來深度節能與循環經濟的生存剛需。催化資本可聚焦於「小專案、大市場」,協助將數十個小型減碳專案標準化並「打包」成大型資產組合,以分散風險並降低銀行授信門檻。
    慈善資本轉型與新世代投資人崛起台灣許多大型家族辦公室、企業基金會與慈善機構,正從傳統的「用捐贈改變世界」轉向「用投資放大影響力」;新世代投資人也更重視與自身價值一致的使命導向投資。慈善與公益資金能提供最具耐心且低息的非商業資本,補足市場上最前端、最缺乏商業誘因的風險資金缺口。

    三、 未來展望:台灣落地的關鍵下一步
    台灣要讓催化資本真正落地,第一步應仿效國際經驗(如新加坡金融管理局的 FAST-P 計畫),由政府建立一個「中小企業淨零與循環轉型混合金融平台」。 
    透過政府政策性資金(如國發基金)提供第一損失層或風險分攤,結合設備商與技術驗證機構降低前期交易成本,再由保險公司提供績效保證保險,便能徹底打通台灣商業銀行不敢放款的死結。只要能成功打造出第一個兼具「風險分散與社會影響力」的本土示範案例,催化資本就將成為台灣產業升級與綠色經濟的最強引擎。 
    如果您對這個主題想深入了解,我們可以探討:
    • 國際上(例如新加坡 FAST-P 計畫)有哪些具體的混合金融架構可供台灣借鏡?
    • 台灣的中小企業供應鏈該如何設計標準化的綠色資產包,以吸引銀行投資?
    • 傳統慈善基金會在台灣法令限制下,如何合法轉型為催化資本投資者? 

2026年10月15日 星期四

中美AI算力不同應用

 GCIOSGF Newsletter 會訊:

Reprinted 

中國聚焦短劇、影音 美國深耕程式碼開發


  • 1.美中大語言模型算力用途:美國58%投向程式碼生成與企業自動化;中國僅15%,但55%用於微短劇與短影音生成。
  • 2.中國信通院2026年第三季監測顯示,微短劇內容生成Token占32.7%居首。
  • 3.業內稱差異源於付費結構:中國43萬部微短劇九成以上AI參與;美國工程師年薪30萬至50萬美元。

根據多家全球與中國產業監測機構最新數據顯示,中美兩國在大語言模型與算力 Token 的消耗方向上呈現顯著差異。中國的 AI 算力主要集中於微短劇生成與行銷視覺內容,而美國則高度聚焦於程式碼生成與企業流程自動化。這項對比引發了市場對於兩國 AI 發展路徑與商業化落地效率的廣泛討論。

數據揭示兩地應用場景分流

據中文線上與第三方監測機構報告,美國約 58% 的 Token 算力運用於程式碼生成和企業自動化流程,而中國投向軟體開發的算力僅占 15%。

相反地,中國有高達 55% 的算力用於 AI 微短劇與短影音生成,24% 投入電商帶貨與行銷圖文製作。

此外,中國信息通信研究院的 2026 年第三季監測指出,中國國內微短劇相關內容生成的 Token 消耗占比達 32.7%,居所有應用場景首位;而 Gartner 的全球監測數據顯示,美國程式開發場景則以 38.2% 的占比長期穩居第一。

市場付費結構決定算力流向

針對兩國應用的顯著分野,業內分析指出,這反映了兩地市場不同的付費結構與商業轉化模式。

在中國市場,2026 年前八個月全國上線微短劇達 43 萬部,其中超過九成有 AI 深度參與劇本、分鏡與數位人合成。AI 將傳統微短劇的製作週期從數週縮短至數天,總成本自數十萬人民幣降至數千元甚至更低。龐大的影音用戶基數與成熟的付費解鎖機制,使內容生成具備快速的投資報酬率(ROI),進而拉動算力需求。

反觀美國,北美資深軟體工程師年薪高達 30 萬至 50 萬美元,企業 IT 預算中軟體與雲端服務占比達六至七成。使用 AI 輔助寫程式能使研發效率提升 30% 以上,為企業節減巨額人力開支。相比之下,中國企業 IT 支出中軟體服務僅占約 18%,導致程式開發類 AI 工具的收費門檻相對較高。

算力底座與發展瓶頸的考驗

除了應用層面,兩國在算力基礎設施上也面臨不同的外部制約。

美國資本大量湧入資料中心建設,黑石集團(Blackstone)總裁透露,旗下企業對大語言模型的需求在半年內成長了七倍;貝萊德(BlackRock)執行長芬克(Larry Fink)亦將資料中心融資視為金融工程的新前沿。

然而,美電網負載過載與電費上漲引發民眾反對,社區反對建置資料中心的比例自 2025 年的 40% 飆升至 2026 年的 75%,構成實體擴展的硬性邊界。

中國則憑藉整體統籌在能源與基礎建設上具備推進優勢,但《證券時報》的調查指出,部分地方國資項目採取「先建設後找需求」模式,採購中低端晶片與下游實際需求

Google New products

GCIOSGF Newsletter:

Reprinted 

The Google Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL find themselves at something of a crossroads. The Californian company made a viable stake in the smartphone market with its flagship phones impressing with powerful camera systems, a deeply ingrained native Google ecosystem, stellar build quality, and a clean, bloat-free Android user experience. All of these core points are true for the latest handset in the lineup; however, with Google scrapping the cheaper 128GB option, this year's model effectively comes in $100 / £100 / €100 more expensive while offering 4GB less RAM. You're paying more for less due to the ongoing RAM crisis/global memory shortage, which makes this device feel like a hard sell despite its notable improvements.

Starting at $1,099 / £1,079 / €1,199 for the 256GB Pro or $1,299 / £1,279 / €1,399 for the Pro XL variant, we're long beyond the days of Google undercutting its competition. The Pixel 11 Pro is steeply priced alongside devices like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the iPhone 18 Pro. Given the chokehold that Apple has as the primary market shareholder in the US, and Samsung being the biggest Android-based phone manufacturer, the Pixel 11 Pro and XL variants are fighting a tough uphill battle, not for dominance, but for relevance.

Google's Pixel 11 Pro impresses with its iPhone-like approach to build quality, its pleasingly straightforward operating system, and a surprisingly useful suite of Gemini-backed AI functionality. With that said, it's also far from the most powerful smartphone on the market, and this year's so-so features, combined with less RAM and a price increase for the cheapest model, make it difficult to recommend over the still-excellent Pixel 10 Pro or Pixel 10 Pro XL. It will still rank among the best Google Pixel phones on the market, even if it's beaten out by other options for the best phones on the market today.

Google Pixel 11 Pro in canyon pink
Google Pixel 11 Pro

The Google Pixel 11 Pro features exceptional build quality, a great multi-camera array, and a slick bloat-free Android experience. It could be the ultimate Android smartphone, but it’s slightly let down by a higher price and minimal improvements over its predecessor. Still, with its pleasing screen, multiday battery, and promised seven years of security updates, the Pixel 11 Pro will last you a long time, even if it doesn’t necessarily excel in any particular area for the price.

What we like

Gorgeous overall design, display, and stellar build quality
Incredible battery life
Exceptional rear and selfie camera system
Great Gemini integration

What we don't like

No 128GB model means you’re effectively paying $100 more
256GB model downsized to 12GB of RAM
Weaker raw performance compared to rival flagships
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL

The differences between the Pixel 11 Pro XL and its smaller Pro 11 sibling are few and far between, as both sport the same chipset and camera setup. Key differences are the XL model's 6.8" display (compared to 6.3" on the 11 Pro) and a 5,115 mAh battery (up from 4,850). The XL also supports 45W wired charging instead of 30W. 

SpecificationDetails
Starting price11 Pro: $1,099 / £1,079 / €1,199
11 Pro XL: $1,299 / £1,279 / €1,399
ColorsCanyon (pink), Olive (green), Fog (white), Obsidian (black)
Release dateAugust 20, 2026
Durability ratingIP68 dust and water resistance
Display

6.3-inch LTPO OLED (Pro)

6.8-inch LTPO OLED (Pro XL)

Resolution1280 x 2856 (Pro); 1344 x 2992 (Pro XL)
Refresh rateUp to 120Hz
Peak brightness2,400 nits (HDR), 3,600 (peak brightness)
ProcessorGoogle Tensor G6 and Titan M3 security co-processor
RAM12GB to 16GB
Storage256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Rear cameras

50MP Main - ƒ/1.68, 82° FOV

48 MP Ultrawide with Macro Focus - ƒ/1.7, 123° FOV

48MP 5x Telephoto lens - ƒ/2.8, 23° FOV

Selfie cameras42MP dual PD selfie camera with autofocus - ƒ/2.2, 103°
Camera zoomPro Zoom up to 120x
Video4K60 FPS or cloud-enhanced 8K at 24/30 FPS
Battery capacity4,850 mAh (Pro) / 5,115 mAh (Pro XL)
Claimed battery life30+ hours
Wired charging30W (Pro) / 45W (Pro XL) via USB-C PD PPS
Wireless charging25W Pixelsnap Qi2.2-certified
Dimensions6 x 2.8 x 0.3 in (Pro) / 6.4 x 3 x 0.3 in (Pro XL)
Weight7.2 oz / 204 g (Pro) / 8 oz (Pro XL)
ConnectivityWiFi 7, Bluetooth v6, NFC, Dual-Band GNSS GPS, Google Cast; 5G Sub-6GHz, GSM/EDGE Quad-band, 4G LTE
SIM supportDual eSIM (US); Single Nano SIM & eSIM (International)
Operating systemAndroid 17
Software support period7 years (2033)
BiometricsFingerprint and Face Unlock
A green Google Pixel 11 Pro smartphone lies face down on a display table beside metallic mineral rocks.
The Olive colorway looks fantastic.  Brendan Griffiths / Business Insider

The one thing that's impressed me the most about the Google Pixel 11 Pro is its design. While many smartphone manufacturers are busy continuously reinventing the wheel when it comes to what's possible with six inches of glass and metal, Google has kept things straightforward with this year's flagship device. The Google Pixel 11 Pro measures in at a now-standard 6.3-inch screen with a 20:9 aspect ratio, making it easy to hold comfortably in one hand without your fingers blocking everything when in use. The aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and rear of the device truly help this handset feel both premium and incredibly durable.

Aside from this, the design language of the Pixel 11 Pro is essentially identical to that of the Pixel 10 Pro, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. There's the same flat-sided ethos, with pleasingly rounded corners and a sleek selfie camera notch. The difference in colors is notable, though; Obsidian returns as expected, but it's the new Canyon colorway that makes a splash. The salmon-pink is punchy and a good shake-up from the otherwise fairly stock black, white, or off-green of last year.

There's an incredibly minor new addition in HiLight: a glorified notification LED on the back that can glow different colors, but it's currently limited to incoming phone calls from specified contacts or to indicate that Gemini is active while the phone is face down. The lack of customization options for this at launch makes it feel like the most underbaked feature you're ever likely to see on a Pixel phone.

A Canyon Pink Google Pixel 11 Pro smartphone and a round Pixel Watch 5 with a woven band and bright orange trim are displayed against a textured wall.
The Pixel Watch 5 continues the series' run of gorgeous design and pairs wonderfully with Pixel phones.  Brendan Griffiths / Business Insider

Like the Google Pixel 10 Pro, the Pixel 11 Pro does not feature a physical SIM card slot in the US. The company ditched Nano SIM support with last year's handset to make space for a bigger battery and a better 5G antenna. It's Google following Apple's example, as all Apple-branded phones since the iPhone 14 in 2022 have abandoned SIM cards in the US. If you're someone who wants the ease of use when switching from one provider to another physically, you're out of luck. Instead, you may want to consider alternatives, such as the Samsung Galaxy S26 or an unlocked device like the OnePlus 15 or Motorola Edge Signature.

Weighing in at just 7.2 oz, the Google Pixel 11 Pro is a remarkably lightweight device in the hand and substantially sleeker than my usual everyday iPhone 15 Pro Max, which weighs a comparatively chunky 7.8 oz. It may not sound like much, but if you're someone like me who is constantly working on a desktop, switching to a laptop, and glancing at a phone screen while doing things, that extra weight can make all the difference. The ergonomics of the Pixel 11 Pro are far more comfortable than my current iPhone or my previous run of Android devices, including the Sony Xperia 1ii and the two generations of Razer phones before then. The shift to a 20:9 aspect ratio and the narrower overall dimensions for the same industry-standard 6.3-inch display (measured diagonally) have an impact.

Google provided a Pixelsnap Case for its Pixel 11 Pro, which is compatible with the company's wireless chargers and any Qi 2.2-rated charging pad. The OEM model is among the best Google Pixel 11 Pro cases (and the best Pixel 11 Pro XL cases, too) you can buy, thanks to its rugged construction and durable feel. The mobile supports 25W wireless charging, the latest standard you'll find on most quality phones in recent years. When plugged in via USB-C, the Pro handset supports up to 30W (or 45W on the Pro XL) through a PD-PPS charger. 30 minutes of charging gets the Pixel 11 Pro to about 55% from flat, and 75% with the right charger on the Pixel 11 Pro XL. The Pixel 11 Pro won't put some of the fastest-charging smartphones to shame, but it's likely enough for most people's day-to-day use.

Google-branded Pixel 11 Pro smartphone, cases, earbuds, and a docked phone are arranged on a light tabletop.
The Fog color model has a bluish tinge that turned out to be difficult to photograph in bright lighting.  Brendan Griffiths / Business Insider

Performance: Incredible battery life, despite everything else

I've been using the Google Pixel 11 Pro as my daily driver, and the main reason I'm considering it over its competitors is its battery life. Intelligent optimizations of the new Tensor G6 processor have enabled Google to push the respectable 4,850 mAh battery (or 5,115 mAh on the 11 Pro XL) far beyond what's typically expected for a handset's lifespan between charges. It's down ever-so-slightly from the Pixel 10 Pro's 4,870 mAh battery, although that's ultimately inconsequential given just how long this device lasts day-to-day.

Google claims the Pixel 11 Pro can last for over 30 hours of playback under moderate use, and my testing confirms this. For more casual use cases, such as web browsing, instant messaging, and other lower-impact use cases, I barely noticed the battery percentage tick down at all and was only really reaching for the included USB-C every three days or so. The battery options from the stock Android experience are also greatly appreciated; right from the "Battery and charging" menu, you can see the battery's health, add a widget to test it, get a full breakdown of which apps used the most juice with the screen time and background consumption, and also run diagnostic reports. There are preset options for a battery draining too quickly, the phone being too warm, a charging issue, or you can report something specific, and the Gemini Nano will run that test for you.

The same level of hardware monitoring is also available for charging the Pixel 11 Pro. By default, "charging optimization" is enabled, which automatically completes the chemical charging process at 100%, preventing unnecessary wear and tear on the battery over the long term. You can also limit it to 80%, which is said to better preserve a lithium-ion battery over months and years, following the 80/20 rule. High stress at 100% and instability at 0%, so using that 60% battery range is best for preservation. There's also an Extreme Charging Mode that kicks in when the phone drops to under 50%. It pauses all background activity and automatically regulates temperatures to get you up to speed without risking thermal throttling, provided you're plugged into a proper 30W brick.

A smartphone displays Fortnite gameplay over a colorful blurred city scene background.
The Pixel 11 Pro is very serviceable for gaming, but lags behind the power of the flagship Apple and Samsung models.  Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider

Everyday performance of the Google Pixel 11 Pro is remarkably slick and fast. As touched upon above, there's (thankfully) no custom Android wrapper here, such as Samsung's One UI or OnePlus' OxygenOS. That means no unneeded bloatware, keeping your storage clean, and ensuring you have the final say over what you install and where it is. Android phone manufacturers tend to move certain options around or bury settings deep in menus. You won't have that problem with this phone; it's straightforward to navigate. It should be instantly familiar to anyone who's used an Android phone before, but not too off-putting for any iPhone users who are only used to the uniform nature of iOS. As you'd hope really, Google's integrated ecosystem works well on its own tech of its own phone.

Where you'll notice the limits of the Google Pixel 11 Pro's performance compared to its similarly priced rivals is in the raw horsepower of the Tensor G6. That's due in part to how the G6 is constructed: it is dominated by its fifth-generation TPU, which runs Gemini Nano's on-device AI functions. This Tensor Processing Unit also powers Pixel's trademark high-end computational photography. The result here is a chip that's exceptional at one particular thing, AI, but falls short in the arms race against the likes of the Snapdragon 8 Elite Series, Apple A19 Bionic, and other top-end chips from other phones crossing the four-digit mark in 2026.

Fog white Pixel 11 Pro phones displayed on a white table
A charging stand at home will help show off the Pixel 11 Pro's beautiful design.  Brendan Griffiths / Business Insider

It's something of an architectural trade-off. The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 found in today's smartphones, such as the Samsung Galaxy S26, Xiaomi 17 Series, OnePlus 15, Honor Magic 8 Series, and others, primarily puts the 8-core custom Oryon CPU and high-performance Adreno GPU ahead of the Hexagon NPU powering the AI functionality. Google flips the script, but the Pixel 11 Pro ultimately pays the price in terms of raw horsepower.

This is most notable when gaming. If you're someone who enjoys demanding software from a handset, then the Pixel 11 Pro isn't going to be for you. The 7-core Arm C1-Pro CPU and PowerVR CXTP GPU are good enough for moderate gaming, but the phone struggles under load. I noticed this especially with Fortnite when forcing 60 FPS mode for the Blitz Royale and Battle Royale modes. Even when the game auto-detected the right settings to use, setting everything to Low and disabling any intensive graphics options, stuttering was common. Not only was I contending with micro-stuttering and slowdown from the game, even with a fresh install, but the device was routinely dropping frames, making things basically unplayable. It was a slightly more palatable experience when locking 30 FPS at a maximum, but the trade-off there is the smoothness of a competitive game. It would have been different if it were rock-solid, but it wasn't. It's, unfortunately, a similar story with PUBG Mobile, which hovers at an inconsistent 30 FPS.

Things are better with more optimized mobile games, chiefly the older Call of Duty Mobile and the recently released Rainbow Six Mobile. The former has been available since 2019, so any respectable mobile phone has no difficulty maintaining a rock-solid 60 FPS for its suite of mobile-friendly multiplayer modes. Siege's mobile companion isn't quite as consistent when played on the Pixel 11 Pro, but it's night-and-day performance-wise when compared to Fortnite and PUBG; I was averaging between 45 and 60 FPS with the game locked at 60 FPS and the graphics auto-detected to the High preset. There were occasional framerate drops for explosions, reinforcing walls, and close-quarters firefights with multiple enemies; however, it rarely ever dipped below 30 FPS, the playable standard for a tactical shooter like that.

Pixel 11 Pro smartphone propped on a ring stand displays an Android home screen with a severe thunderstorm watch alert.
The Pixel 11 Pro's shiny frame is a looker but a big fingerprint magnet compared to the matte finish of the cheaper base Pixel 11.  Brendan Griffiths / Business Insider

Display: Dazzling as always

The premium build quality and design language of the Pixel 11 Pro extend to its 6.3-inch OLED display, with impressive near-4K-nit peak brightness and extensive HDR support. Media playback is exceptional on this phone. The proclaimed (seemingly) infinite 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio means the colors pop while the deep, inky blacks are bottomless. Throughout my time with the phone, I primarily watched TV shows like Cobra Kai, binge-watched Valorant (and other gaming) content on YouTube, and played games in my downtime. Without question, this is the nicest display I've ever seen on a smartphone, and one of the consistently brightest panels of any portable device I've ever had hands-on with ever.

The older Pixel 10 Pro was somewhat revolutionary for reaching 3,300-nit peak brightness. I have to commend the new Pixel 11 Pro for going a step beyond with a new high of 3,600 nits, making it one of the brightest and best displays on the market today, especially in the West (China's Honor phones reach as high as 6,000 nits under certain conditions). It's not just the standard content either; HDR has seen a noticeable bump to 2,400 nits of brightness, up from 2,200 nits the year before. If you struggle to see your phone screen in broad daylight, or want an exceptional-looking screen with no compromises, then Google's flagship delivers here.

It's a bright display, but it's also smooth and quick where it needs to be. Backed by LTPO (Low-Temperature Polycrystalline Oxide) technology, the Pixel 11 Pro's screen dynamically refreshes, dropping as low as 1Hz to 10Hz for anything static, but ramping up to as fast as 120Hz for gaming or scrolling. The battery only works as hard as it has to, and the display compensates accordingly. Now, 120Hz is about as quick as you need a smartphone to be. Few modern games on the Android platform can take advantage of a framerate above 60, and most social and productivity apps are geared to being as efficient on power as possible by dropping unneeded frames.

Google Pixel 11 Pro phones and accessories in canyon pink are displayed on a flower-decorated showroom table with Pixel Watch 5 smartwatches in the background.
Canyon pink is new to the series, and one we hope will stick around.  Brendan Griffiths / Business Insider

AI features: The phone that's built for Gemini

If you hate AI, then you're going to want a different mobile phone in 2026. Google isn't shy about pushing its Gemini platform across its ecosystem, and that extends to the Pixel 11 Pro, more so than last year's device. While the Pixel 10 Pro was primarily marketed on its deep Gemini integration, specifically through the Gemini Nano (or fully localized) variant, things have been kicked up a notch with the new handset. Gemini Intelligence can now be found in more than 40 apps and tools, with highlights including Rambler, to transcribe and improve how you speak into the phone, eliminating natural stutters, and also (most pressingly) now with what the company is calling Magic Capture.

Don't let the marketing gimmicks fool you. Magic Capture is essentially just Apple's Live Photos feature with an automatic "best take" still. Google claims the Gemini models analyze "around 400 frames" of a video to produce a 12MP image and can even crop and unblur things using its generative AI functionality, so that you never miss a moment. It's a novel idea, and if it were to work more consistently, I would be all for it. Magic Capture is a huge part of the advertising campaign, said to automatically highlight those blink-and-you'll-miss-it moments for fast-moving pets and the like. Well, in my testing of getting photos from a few five-second clips when photographing my playful Belgian Malinois or my Degus, animals who all hate to stay still when I'm trying to test cameras, the results were just OK. They looked like still images taken from a video clip rather than the full, uncompressed photo I wanted. A similar thing happened when I used another brief clip of my Degus hanging out in the hammock. It's situational, and better than nothing, but far from revolutionary. Check out the comparison shots below.

Two brown degus peer toward the camera from inside a wire cage with wooden platforms.
Stills from Magic Capture can come out a little blurry…. Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider
Two small brown degus sit inside a wire cage, one close to the camera beside a fabric hammock.
…whereas a normal shot looks so much better.  Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider

AI is better elsewhere, though. As someone who uses Gemini often, I found the home screen prompts to ask questions, share video feeds, or engage with Gemini Live to be great touches. As you can imagine, the native Gemini integration on new Pixels feels much more seamless on the Pixel 11 Pro than on an iPhone. Instead of forcing you to stay inside a dedicated app, Gemini functions as an unobtrusive system overlay, ready to assist via voice or touch at any time. You can also share your screen or stream live video to give the AI contextual awareness for complex tasks. While Gemini Nano efficiently handles localized background tasks, the cloud-based model shines because the phone's entire operating system is built around it.

Close-up of a black Google Pixel 11 Pro smartphone rear camera bar with multiple lenses and an illuminated blue light.
The new glowing HiLight LED feature on the right is underutilized.  Brendan Griffiths / Business Insider

Cameras: The saving grace of the Pixel 11 Pro

Google's commitment to computational photography and processing made the Pixels among the best smartphones for taking photos, and that's just as true with the Pixel 11 Pro. The triple rear camera system is incredible, simply put. The device benefits from a 50MP main wide-angle lens, a 48MP Ultrawide lens, and a 48MP Telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. Regardless of lighting conditions, the results are incredible. It's all thanks to the Quad PD sensor, which offers substantially greater light sensitivity than the Pixel 10 Pro, all in a sleeker camera bar on the rear. It's backed by the Tensor G6's Real Tone engine, which forgoes the typical filters and smoothing of smartphone cameras in favor of a dedicated, hardware-accelerated solution.

Specifically, it's the Image Signal Processor on the 5th-generation TPU that does that heavy lifting. Real-time identification of elements within a frame that are individually processed. This combines everything from automated white balance algorithms to auto-exposure tuning and proper color processing. Complex backlighting, highlights, and shadows can look better here than on any other phone, even a frontrunner like the iPhone 17 Pro Max, despite Apple's zero-latency, rawer hardware being technically superior. When it comes to point-and-shoot immediacy, the Pixel 11 Pro is genuinely hard to beat, and it's powered by enough handy software to give most average users the edge.

Black electric guitar with a red patterned strap hangs against a plain light-colored wall.
1x zoom.  Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider
Close-up of a black electric guitar body with strings, pickup, bridge, knob, and a red strap against a wall.
2x zoom.  Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider
Close-up of an electric guitar bridge, strings, humbucker pickup, and control knob on a dark body.
5x zoom.  Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider
Close-up of a black electric guitar humbucker pickup and bridge with strings crossing the frame.
10x zoom.  Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider

In my testing with the Pixel 11 Pro's rear camera system, I was most impressed by how sharp and detailed an image of the same object could look at 5x optical zoom as with 1x and 2x. This was most apparent when I was taking shots of my guitars and motorcycles, with the finer details of strings and dirty, mechanical hardware being perfectly preserved. There's no native 10x zoom lens; however, the 10x option on the phone takes what the 5x Telephoto can do and smartly crops inwards before applying digital processing, yielding surprisingly decent results. I looked hard for signs of lighting mismatches, artificial smoothing, or a loss of focus, which typically give away a partially generated image, but to my surprise, it looked consistently good to my eye. I can't imagine the 10x zoom will be many people's go-to, but it held up better than I expected.

Speaking of a generated picture, the Pixel 11 Pro features a 120x Super Zoom, which takes what's achieved from the 10x zoom and magnifies it significantly. The Tensor G6 chip really does the heavy lifting here, taking more of a reference image from what you point at it rather than cleaning up what's immediately in front of the viewfinder. It's less "AI-enhanced" and more "mostly AI," as computational photography is truly heavily slanted toward one side. For best results, you should aim to use this feature on something simple and static for a far-away shot, and with as much natural light as possible. In darker environments, noise is introduced, and the G6 can't quite always make a clean cut. It's the same idea as Samsung's "Space Zoom," which made the headlines back in 2020, promising up to 100x zoom and letting you "take a photo" of the moon. Well, AI has caught up a lot since then. Is it authentic? No. Will most people use this feature more than once or twice out of sheer novelty? Again, it's unlikely, but the option is there for you to try out.

Quiet suburban road with sidewalks, parked cars, trees, hedges, and houses under a cloudy sky.
0.5x zoom.  Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider
Quiet tree-lined suburban road with sidewalks, houses, streetlights, and overcast sky.
1x zoom.  Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider
Quiet suburban road with footpaths, trees, houses and a roadside direction sign.
2x zoom.  Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider
Suburban road lined with trees, houses, sidewalks, parked cars, and a Texaco petrol station sign in the distance.
5x zoom.  Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider
Suburban road leading past a Texaco petrol station sign with fuel prices, trees, sidewalks, and parked vans.
10x zoom.  Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider

Speaking of camera tech, Night Sight is awesome. The Pixel 11 Pro is exceptional for low-light photography owing to that vastly upgraded sensor and the added power of the G6's ISP. To properly test it out, I took the phone to a local metal show where Gaerea and Conjurer were dimly lit in a dingy old bar. Usually, the harsh flashing lights and rapid onstage movements make it near-impossible to get a good, clear shot of the stage, doubly so if you're shooting video. If you enjoy snapping a quick picture or a clip of your favorite musicians, you'll be pleased by how detailed and impressive the camera system is at capturing key details while retaining the atmosphere. It didn't matter if that meant harsh red lighting, a submersive blue hue, or a brief, bright flash of light; the results were eye-catching and true to life.

Crowd silhouettes face a red-lit stage inside a dark indoor music venue.
1x zoom.  Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider
Silhouetted band performs on a red-lit stage before a dense concert crowd.
5x zoom.  Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider
Two silhouetted performers play on a red-lit concert stage before a crowd with spotlights overhead.
10x zoom.  Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider
Crowd watches a live band perform on a small indoor stage under red and blue concert lighting.
The Pixel 11 Pro does a great job of bringing stage lighting to life.  Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider

I was just as impressed with what the 42MP front-facing selfie camera could do. I'm not someone who takes many photos, but I understand the importance of being seen and well-lit for videoconferencing, or just chatting with friends on platforms like Discord, Instagram, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger.

Close-up selfie shot of Aleksha McLoughlin with red lipstick and facial piercings in a softly lit room.
Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider

With its powerful autofocus and wider field of view, I was confident in front of the camera, and it yielded far better results than when I took similar photos with my iPhone 15 Pro Max or with my fiancée's Samsung Galaxy S25; the two former flagships have 12MP shooters, and just can't compare the same way.

An olive-green Pixel 11 Pro and a black Pixel 10 Pro smartphone lie face down on a light marble countertop with rear camera bars visible.
Aside from a few color variations, there's not much physical difference between the Pixel 11 Pro (left) and the 10 Pro (right).  Aleksha McLoughlin / Business Insider

Should you buy the Google Pixel 11 Pro?

I'm torn on the Google Pixel 11 Pro. I love the design, adore the cameras, and appreciate the full commitment to Gemini inside, but as a value package, it is challenging to wholeheartedly recommend the device, particularly given the fact that it's only marginally better than the Pixel 10 Pro, and that it falls behind many other four-digit flagships on the market in terms of raw performance potential. I'm not convinced this is a phone you should pay at least $1,099 / £1,079 / €1,199. That said, strong competition means the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL will get better prices in sales events if the price history of previous Pixels is anything to go by. I've already seen deals including $315 off the 11 Pro XL and $265 off the smaller 11 Pro, so it's worth keeping an eye out at Amazon if you're happy to buy the phone outright.

Of course, the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL are still excellent phones, but stock seems to be really drying up already, and when I have seen them lately, the deal prices on the 11 Pro models have actually been lower. So if you want a really good deal on the older models, you'll be looking at refurbs/renewed only pretty soon.

Should you want the latest from the Pixel ecosystem and you're accepting of the trade-offs for stronger AI integration and computational photography over raw performance power, then there's just about enough here to justify the Pixel 11 Pro if last year's model doesn't appeal to you.

Canyon pink Google Pixel 11 Pro smartphones with gold edges lie beside matching cases, displaying the phones on a white retail table.
Brendan Griffiths / Business Insider

Pixels may no longer be the disruptive flagship killers they once were. Instead, the Pixel 11 Pro has confidently cemented a position as a viable third option. If you don't want to buy the latest iPhone and don't want the bloatware of Samsung's One UI or Galaxy ecosystem, then it's the device to consider instead. The handset lives in an awkward middle ground for enthusiasts who want one thing done exceptionally well. If you love on-device AI and all the benefits of computational photography, then it's the go-to; for everyone else, you may want to look toward a sub-four-digit device instead.

If you're curious about Google's other recent Pixel phones, have a look at the cheaper option via our Google Pixel 11 review. Or, if you like the sound of the software features here but fancy a large foldable experience, we have a Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold review as well.

You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here.

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