Google’s Pixel 11 launch event is set for August 12, with possible price increases

Google’s new phones could feature glowing LEDs and higher price tags.

Google has announced its next Made By Google event, taking place on August 12 in New York City. Google’s invite doesn’t name names, but the imagery clearly shows a new Pixel phone that looks a whole lot like last year’s phone. Some new rumors, however, suggest the updated phones will come with inflated price tags courtesy of the AI-driven component shortage.

The sleek lines of the phone in the teaser image are a dead ringer for Google’s last few Pixel phones, and that matches some early rumors. Google’s new phones will have similar shapes, with the Pro and Pro Fold models perhaps shaving off a little thickness. The most notable design change will probably be the rumored “Pixel Glow” lights, a rear-facing notification and status light.

Recent reports claim that Google is finally doing away with the base 128GB storage option for the smaller phones. In 2025, both the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro started at 128GB of storage, a bit lacking for a modern flagship device at a time when people don’t upgrade as often. Google will reportedly move to 256GB as the base storage for both phones.

The leaks also include alleged pricing for the European market, but that’s offset by the higher (by 100 euros) base storage for the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro, which will apparently start at 999 and 1,199 euros, respectively. That’s the same as the 256GB upgrades last year, but there won’t be a cheaper storage option this time around. The Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold are also getting 100 euros more expensive at the base 256GB level, making it a straight price increase.

If Google’s pricing conversion strategy holds, we can expect the Pixel 11 in the US to start at $899, which is $100 more than last year. The Pixel 11 Pro should clock in at $1,099. The Pixel 11 Pro XL could start at a hefty $1,299 if the pattern holds. As for the top-of-the-line foldable, that could hit an eye-watering $1,899, but that should still be a little cheaper than Samsung’s flagship foldables.

The Pixel 10 series included three flat phones, and the sizes will probably be unchanged for the Pixel 11.

Credit: Ryan Whitwam

We were only beginning to see the full impact of the AI infrastructure hype train in 2025 when Google released the Pixel 10 series. Things are different in 2026, though, with numerous brands announcing price increases. So rumors of a Pixel price bump certainly ring true.

Google will likely also reveal the Pixel Watch 5, and again, you should not expect any major design changes. Every Pixel Watch generation has looked nearly identical, with the addition of a 45mm option in gen-three being the most notable change. The new wearable may move to a Google-designed Tensor chip instead of Qualcomm Snapdragon, and that transition for Google’s phones was a bit rough. Time will tell if Tensor can provide enough power in a wearable without draining the battery.

The only change from last year’s Made By Google event is that all the action happens in the evening—the reveal will start at 6 pm ET on August 12.

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Posted Wednesday 8 July 2026 at 7:29 am AEST (my time).

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