Google Pixel 11 Pro's zoom portrait mode wins a reviewer over

A reviewer at Android Authority says the camera on Google's Pixel 11 Pro has a standout trick. Portrait mode, paired with the phone's 5x zoom lens, is described as mind-blowing. The review says the combination is so much fun that readers should try it themselves.

What it does

Portrait mode blurs the background of a photo so the main subject stands out. That subject can be a person, a pet or an object. The 5x lens is a telephoto camera, which means it zooms in on things that are farther away. Put the two together and you can shoot a portrait from a distance.

The reviewer tried it on a wide mix of subjects, from cars to cats.

Who it is for

This is mostly of interest to people who take a lot of photos of family, pets or hobbies and want results that look more polished. It may also matter to small business owners who photograph products or vehicles for their own marketing.

What is not known yet

The material available does not include the phone's price, its release date or any camera test results beyond the reviewer's praise. It also does not explain how the feature compares with rival phones. This is one reviewer's opinion, not a lab test.

What to do

When shopping for a phone, camera zoom and portrait quality may matter more than a list of specs. Try them in a store before you buy.

• Take a portrait of a person at 5x zoom.
• Try the same shot on a pet or an object.
• Look closely at the edges where the blur begins.