Google schedules Pixel 11 launch event for August 12 with potential price hikes
Google's Made by Google event on August 12, 2026, will introduce the Pixel 11 series, featuring a new LED Pixel Glow indicator and increased base storage. The event precedes expected new iPhone models as the company navigates potential price increases due to component costs.
Google has officially confirmed its next major hardware showcase, scheduling the Made by Google event for August 12, 2026. The presentation, which will take place in New York City, marks a departure from typical scheduling by shifting to an evening start time of 6:00 PM ET.
By hosting the reveal in August, Google positions its latest devices to reach the market roughly one month before Apple is expected to debut its new iPhone models. The move also serves as a strategic response to competitors like Samsung, which is slated to introduce its own foldable smartphone updates, including the Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Flip 8, and the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide, later in July.
Media additions
The Pixel 11 Lineup and Design Shifts
Invitations distributed to the press suggest a focus on the next generation of Google mobile hardware. Expected to debut are four distinct models: the standard Pixel 11, the Pixel 11 Pro, a larger Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the revamped Pixel 11 Pro Fold. While the overall aesthetic remains consistent with recent predecessors, reports indicate that Google intends to remove the temperature sensor found in previous models. In its place, the devices are expected to feature a new integration dubbed "Pixel Glow." This rear-facing, customizable LED indicator is designed to provide visual status alerts for notifications, making it easier to identify activity when the phone is face down.
Physical refinements across the series include slimmer display bezels and a shift toward thinner profiles for both the Pro and Foldable variants. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is expected to measure 10.1mm thick when folded and 4.8mm when unfolded.
Pricing and Storage Adjustments
Consumers may face higher costs for the upcoming hardware. Multiple reports cite rising component prices—specifically the increased cost of DRAM—as a driver for potential industry-wide price hikes. European reports indicate a potential increase of 100 euros for the entry-level configurations compared to last year’s pricing. If this conversion strategy holds in the United States, the base Pixel 11 could start at $899, with the Pixel 11 Pro at $1,099, the Pixel 11 Pro XL at $1,299, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold potentially reaching $1,899.
To offset these increases, Google reportedly intends to standardize internal storage. Both the standard Pixel 11 and the Pro models are expected to abandon the 128GB base storage tier in favor of 256GB as the new entry point, matching a similar storage shift implemented by Apple with the iPhone 17.
Ecosystem and Software
Beyond the smartphones, the event is expected to feature the debut of the Pixel Watch 5. While the wearable is not anticipated to see significant external design changes, it may shift from Qualcomm Snapdragon silicon to a Google-designed Tensor chip. The company may also introduce a refreshed pair of Pixel Buds Pro to complement the mobile ecosystem. Furthermore, Google is expected to emphasize agentic AI capabilities, with the Pixel 11 family likely shipping with exclusive features related to Gemini Intelligence that may not be available on older handsets.
What to Watch Next
- July 2026: Upcoming Samsung Unpacked event for new foldable smartphone series.
- August 12, 2026: Official Made by Google event in New York City at 6:00 PM ET.
- September 2026: Expected debut of Apple’s new iPhone models.
