Google has confirmed that the Pixel 11 launch event will take place on August 12, 2026. Alongside the standard Pixel 11, the event will also unveil a Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold, marking one of Google’s most ambitious Pixel launches to date.
Months of leaks and supply chain reports now point to significant changes across design, hardware, and pricing — including a new 2nm chip, a controversial camera redesign, and what could be the first major price increase for the base Pixel lineup in years.
Tensor G6 on a 2nm process#
The biggest under-the-hood change is the new Tensor G6 chip, which will be built on TSMC’s 2nm process. This is a major step forward for Google’s custom silicon and represents a generational leap in both performance and power efficiency.
Previous Tensor chips have been criticized for running warm and consuming more battery than competing Apple A-series and Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. Moving to 2nm is Google’s direct response to that criticism, and early reports suggest the G6 will deliver noticeably better thermals and battery life compared to the Tensor G5 in the Pixel 10.
Alongside the Tensor G6, the Pixel 11 will also feature a new Titan M3 security chip, Google’s latest dedicated hardware for encryption and secure boot.
Dual-camera setup: telephoto removed#
In what may be the most controversial change, the Pixel 11 base model drops the telephoto camera entirely, moving to a dual-camera setup.
Reports indicate the rear camera will consist of a new 50 MP primary sensor and an ultrawide camera, with no telephoto lens. The decision appears to be driven by cost considerations and the desire to free up internal space for a larger battery, but it marks a departure from Google’s multi camera strategy that started with the Pixel 4.
Google is expected to lean harder on computational photography and AI-powered zoom to compensate for the missing hardware zoom. The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL are expected to retain telephoto capabilities.
Pixel Glow and design updates#
The Pixel 11 introduces Pixel Glow, a subtle illuminated accent on the back of the phone. Think of it as a refined version of the camera bar lighting effect a thin, customizable glow that can indicate notifications, charging status, or simply serve as an aesthetic accent.
Other design changes include:
- Slightly thinner bezels around the display
- An all-black camera bar that no longer color-matches the rest of the body
- A new M16 material for the display glass, which is reportedly more scratch resistant than previous generations
Google is launching four color options: gray, black, pink, and green.
MediaTek 5G modem for the first time#
Starting with the Pixel 11, Google is swapping out Qualcomm’s X75 modem for a MediaTek 5G modem. This is a significant shift after years of reliance on Qualcomm modems across the Pixel lineup.
The decision aligns with Google’s broader strategy of reducing dependency on single suppliers for critical components, similar to how the Tensor chip replaced Qualcomm’s SoCs. Reports indicate the MediaTek modem brings improvements in power efficiency and signal handling, particularly in dense urban environments and 5G mid band frequencies.
Expected price: a $110 increase#
European leaks point to a price hike for the Pixel 11 lineup. The base Pixel 11 is expected to cost approximately €100 more than the Pixel 10, which translates to roughly $114 USD potentially pushing the starting price above $900 for the first time.
The Pro and Pro XL models are expected to see similar increases. Google has not officially confirmed pricing yet, and the final numbers will be announced during the August 12 event.
Android 17 and Gemini Intelligence#
The Pixel 11 will launch with Android 17, Google’s latest version of the operating system. While the full feature set of Android 17 is still being revealed, the Pixel 11 lineup will serve as the flagship platform for Google’s Gemini Intelligence integration across the system.
This includes on-device AI assistants, enhanced photo editing capabilities, improved voice recognition, and deeper integration of Gemini into everyday tasks like search, writing, and multitasking.
What we’re waiting for#
The August 12 event will officially confirm all of this, but several questions remain unanswered:
- Exact pricing: The leak-driven estimates could shift once Google announces official numbers.
- Camera performance: Without a telephoto lens, how well will computational zoom perform in real-world scenarios?
- MediaTek modem reliability: Early reports are positive, but long-term performance and carrier compatibility will be key.
- Pixel Glow customization: How flexible will the glow effects be, and can users disable them entirely?
Bottom line#
The Pixel 11 represents Google’s most ambitious redesign yet a new 2nm chip, a controversial camera shift, and a design refresh with Pixel Glow. Whether these changes justify the expected price increase remains to be seen. The August 12 event will give us the full picture, but if the leaks hold true, the Pixel 11 is shaping up to be one of the most talked about Android flagships of the year.