Google Confirms Pixel 11 Launch With Price Increases

Google confirmed it will unveil the Pixel 11 smartphone series and Pixel Watch 5 during the Made by Google event on August 12, 2026, at 6 PM ET in New York City. The lineup includes the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. All four models will be powered by the Tensor G6 processor, the company's first chip utilizing TSMC's 2nm process, and will integrate Gemini AI capabilities.

To address a global memory chip shortage, Google is increasing prices by approximately $100 across the lineup. The base Pixel 11 is expected to start at $899, while the Pixel 11 Pro Fold may reach $1,899. To justify these costs, Google is eliminating the 128GB storage tier, making 256GB the new baseline for all models. Vice President of Devices and Services Shakil Barkat attributed the price hikes to soaring memory costs and noted a dedicated effort to reduce Android memory requirements to mitigate the impact.

Hardware updates include a transition to MediaTek modems for improved 5G performance and the introduction of a notification system. Initially rumored as "Pixel Glow," the feature is now expected to be marketed as "HiLight," a circular RGB LED light integrated into the camera bar for face-down notifications. The Pro models will feature a redesigned camera bar and new colors such as Pine and Dune. Pre-orders open August 12, with shipping expected to begin around August 20.