As is customary, we already know a ton about Google’s newest smartphone collection earlier than it formally launches. The last-minute leaks are significantly piling up for the Pixel 11 — right here’s every thing it’s good to know.
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Gadgets
You don’t really want us to let you know what’s coming; the leaks and former generations have informed us what to anticipate. The lineup for 2026 will encompass the bottom Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Professional, Pixel 11 Professional XL, and Pixel 11 Professional Fold.
We’re additionally getting the Pixel Watch 5 in 41mm and 45mm sizes. There will likely be a brand new Pixel Buds Professional 2 in a brand new colorway, however the shock bundle is the Pixel Tag. That is Google’s maiden try at a first-party Android tracker.
That’s the solely shock inclusion, because it managed to remain virtually hidden till latest leaks confirmed it was certainly lastly coming to fruition.
Design
Third time’s a appeal, as they are saying, as a result of the Pixel 11 is yet one more retread of the Pixel 9. These units could have virtually equivalent footprints and really minimal modifications.
It seems to be just like the telephones will likely be a fraction thinner by a couple of millimeters. This might make some instances incompatible, however the digicam bar is probably going the reason for this variation. We’ll take a look at this out when we’ve got units in hand, as you could possibly technically use instances final yr with some caveats.
Whereas not one of the modifications are “main,” there are some tweaks and refinements to the digicam bar. It now not has the metallic portion on the correct aspect. The whole visor space is glass as soon as once more. It’s a return to the Pixel 6 digicam bar, and like that cellphone, there is no such thing as a room for a temperature sensor on the Professional fashions. It’s getting absolutely ditched this yr.
On the Pixel 11 Professional and Professional Fold, the LED flash goes to double as an RGB gentle. We’re undecided what it can do, however it’s going to have extra features.
Colours
Colours stay some extent of dialogue for the Pixel lineup, as Google continues to supply extra playful finishes for the bottom mannequin whereas holding the Professional collection considerably extra reserved, although this yr options a couple of gorgeous exceptions.
Pixel 11 will function a number of distinctive finishes: the greenish-black Midnight Haze, the lavender-esque Mild Sterling, a vibrant Fuchsia, and a lighter inexperienced referred to as Moss. These base fashions reportedly pair matte frames with shiny glass backs.
As per quite a few leaks, the Pixel 11 Professional and Professional XL fashions will likely be out there in Midnight Haze, Mild Fog (a silver/white shade), the darkish inexperienced Pine, and a gold-tinted Dune that options peach-toned again glass. Whereas most Professional fashions proceed to make use of matte glass with polished, shiny frames, the Midnight Haze variant is notably all-matte, that includes a matte body to match its again glass. That can little doubt be an enormous change for a lot of, and arguably it’s the machine that is likely to be best to advocate.
The Pixel 11 Professional Fold will as soon as once more be provided in solely two colours: Midnight Haze and Pine. Eagle-eyed observers will discover that whereas it skips the “Porcelain” or “Fog” white choices seen on the opposite Professional fashions, it does embody an ordinary black choice in Midnight Haze.
Specs
One other yr brings renewed hope that the Tensor G6 will lastly present the efficiency uplift customers have been ready for. This yr marks a serious shift as TSMC takes over fabrication, using its cutting-edge 2nm process for the first time in a smartphone, beating even Apple to this milestone. The chip contains a revised 1+4+2 configuration utilizing newer ARM C1 cores: particularly, one C1 Extremely core clocked at a excessive 4.11GHz and 4 C1-Professional cores at 3.38GHz. Google can be lastly swapping out its long-standing Samsung Exynos modems for the MediaTek M90.
By way of efficiency, the outlook is a mixture of promising good points and potential bottlenecks. The CPU upgrades look significantly sturdy, with the newer structure estimated to supply as much as 16% greater efficiency than earlier cores.
Nevertheless, the graphics aspect might not see as vital a soar; leaks recommend the PowerVR GPU relies on an older structure which may not fulfill fanatics in search of top-tier gaming efficiency. Whereas complete efficiency parity with each Android competitor stays unlikely, the transfer to a extra superior fabrication course of and newer CPU structure represents a major step ahead in each energy and effectivity.
A serious replace this yr is the elimination of the 128GB base storage tier; throughout your complete lineup, 256GB is now the minimal. This long-overdue change ought to considerably enhance the long-term worth and usefulness of the units. Whereas storage is growing, reminiscence capability is seeing some volatility attributable to a worldwide “RAM reminiscence disaster”. Whereas the Professional fashions had been beforehand anticipated to ship with 16GB, some leaks recommend sure configurations might drop again to 12GB to handle prices.
Display screen sizes stay according to earlier years, however peak brightness is seeing a large soar. The Pixel 11 reaches 3,000 nits, whereas the Professional and Professional XL fashions hit a staggering 3,600 nits. The Pixel 11 Professional Fold retains its 8-inch interior show however sees a touch bigger 6.4-inch outer display screen.
Battery capacities have been tweaked throughout the board. The bottom Pixel 11 will get a bump to 4,985mAh, and the Professional XL contains a 5,115mAh cell. Surprisingly, the Pixel 11 Professional is rumored to have a barely smaller 4,850mAh battery in comparison with its predecessor. The Pixel 11 Professional Fold strikes to a 4,806mAh battery. Charging speeds are additionally seeing a modest enhance, with the Pixel 11, Professional, and Fold supporting 30W wired charging, whereas the Professional XL is able to 45W. All fashions will assist the Qi2 wi-fi charging commonplace.
Cameras
One other divergent space which will trigger dialogue is how the Pixel 11 collection digicam setups have been altered, with the newest leaks suggesting that Google is introducing new {hardware} to distinguish the lineup. Whereas the bottom and Professional fashions stay distinct, the separation this yr is outlined by particular sensor upgrades fairly than a step down in decision for the usual mannequin.
The Pixel 11 will function a dual-camera system on the again consisting of a 48MP foremost sensor, 13MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto, which can assist Tremendous Zoom as much as 30x. This foremost sensor is codenamed “chemosh,” and it represents a notable {hardware} swap for the bottom tier.
The Pixel 11 Professional and Professional XL fashions see extra vital sensor modifications, reportedly adopting new “bastet” and “barghest” sensors for the primary and telephoto cameras. Their triple-camera array features a 50MP foremost sensor, a 48MP ultrawide with macro focus, and a 48MP periscope telephoto able to 5x optical zoom and Professional Zoom as much as 120x. For selfies, these Professional fashions soar to a 42MP front-facing digicam with a 103-degree subject of view.
The Pixel 11 Professional Fold additionally will get the brand new “chemosh” foremost sensor, although in a 48MP configuration. It’s rounded out by a ten.5MP ultrawide and a ten.8MP periscope telephoto providing 5x optical zoom and 30x Tremendous Zoom. The foldable additionally options twin 10MP selfie cameras—one for every show.
Options
We all know that Gemini Intelligence is prone to be a key element as a part of the Pixel 11 launch, which is principally an enhanced expertise that permits you to management numerous parts of your cellphone utilizing your Google account. It’s like Magic Cue in every single place, with higher contextual consciousness and enhancements to make the most of the deeper integration throughout your numerous accounts.
We knew forward of time that Pixel Glow, which, a latest leak suggests, is called “HiLight,” could be the key new {hardware} change. The RGB coloration strip we anticipated seems to be prefer it’ll simply be a brand new flash coloration that can give suggestions when utilizing Gemini or perhaps doing different issues, like in calls or recording video. It’s not completely clear how intensive the options that use HiLight are, however it’s changing the temperature sensor on the Professional fashions.
Pixelsnap is probably returning. We’re hopeful that the magnets will likely be a bit stronger this yr, too.
Pricing
The Pixel 11 collection will see a worth enhance throughout your complete lineup, with the bottom mannequin now not beginning on the acquainted 799. Leaked USpricingindicatesa $100 soar for the usual and Professional fashions, whereas the Professional XL and Professional Fold can even see comparable changes. These modifications are primarily supposed to account for the elimination of the 128GB base storage tier, as 256GB is now the minimal throughout all units.
This pricing shift is pushed by a extreme, supplier-driven “RAM reminiscence disaster” (additionally known as “RAMageddon”). Google executives have confirmed an unprecedented surge in reminiscence prices, noting a sixfold enhance the place 1GB of RAM rose from $2.80 in 2025 to $12 this yr. To handle these surging element costs, Google has not solely raised retail prices however can be reportedly exploring {hardware} compromises, comparable to probably dropping the Pixel 11 Professional’s RAM from 16GB to 12GB for sure configurations.
By way of particular entry-level pricing for the US market:
- The Pixel 11 is anticipated to begin at $899.
- The Pixel 11 Professional will start at $1,099.
- The Pixel 11 Professional XL is slated for a $1,299 place to begin.
- The Pixel 11 Professional Fold will see its entry worth rise to $1,899.
Whereas the regular climb in pricing could also be a hurdle for some patrons, the doubling of base storage to 256GB is meant to assist soften the blow. Official pre-order offers stay beneath wraps till the August 12 occasion, however expectations embody the standard trade-in promotions and bundled perks like Google One or Gemini Professional subscriptions.
Launch date and availability
We don’t want leaks for this, because the Pixel 11 launch at Made by Google 2026 is officially scheduled for Wednesday, August 12.
In earlier years, units had staggered retail delivery dates. For the Pixel 11 collection, rumors recommend that Google could also be aiming for a extra unified launch. The whole “core” {hardware} lineup — together with the Pixel 11, 11 Professional, and 11 Professional XL — is reportedly set to ship beginning August 20, 2026.
Apparently, whereas some earlier generations noticed considerably delayed availability for the foldable, present leaks recommend the Pixel 11 Professional Fold might also arrive on that very same August 20 date alongside the remainder of the collection and the Pixel Watch 5.
This might be a welcome change from the staggered timelines of the previous, that means those that pre-order shouldn’t have to attend practically as lengthy for his or her new units to reach.
What are you most excited for or enticed by, given the myriad Pixel 11 leaks over the previous couple of months? Is it the soar to a 2nm Tensor G6 processor, the three,600-nit “Tremendous Actua” shows, or maybe the brand new “HiLight” notification system on the digicam bar? Tell us your ideas within the feedback part under.
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