Google launches Pixel 11 smartphone line, including Pixel 11 Pro Fold, as Apple preps foldable iPhone

Google launched its Pixel 11 smartphone line on Wednesday, including the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the foldable Pixel 11 Pro Fold, each with a $100 price increase and powered by the Tensor G6 processor with Gemini AI features. The launch comes as Apple prepares to unveil its iPhone 18 lineup and rumored first foldable iPhone next month, amid an AI-driven memory and storage shortage raising component costs. Google captured just 3% of the US smartphone market in Q1 2026, according to Counterpoint Research, compared to Apple's 58% and Samsung's 26%.

Google launches Pixel 11 smartphone line, including Pixel 11 Pro Fold, as Apple preps foldable iPhone Google GOOG https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/GOOG/ , GOOGL https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/GOOGL/ debuted its latest line of Pixel smartphones on Wednesday, including the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the foldable Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The devices come as Apple AAPL https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/AAPL/ prepares to unveil its iPhone 18 lineup and rumored first foldable iPhone next month. They're also landing as smartphone makers are contending with the ongoing AI-driven memory and storage shortage driving up component costs. Each of the Pixel phones gets a $100 price increase, though the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro also get more starting storage. Samsung 005930.KS https://finance.yahoo.com/quote/005930.KS/ has also increased the cost of its Android-based smartphones, and Apple is widely expected to do the same next month. Google's smartphones aren't volume sellers. The company doesn't break out revenue from unit sales, and instead nests it under its Google Subscriptions, Platforms, and Devices segment. According to Counterpoint Research https://counterpointresearch.com/en/insights/us-smartphone-market-share , Google captured just 3% of the US market share in Q1 2026. Samsung grabbed 26%, while Apple had 58% of the market. But the phones do serve as an idealized version of what a Google smartphone could be. The Pixel lineup also provides a gateway for hardcore Google fans to take advantage of the company's Gemini AI platform and other services. From a design standpoint, the Pixel 11 family carries over the same styling as the Pixel 10 lineup. All four phones get three rear cameras and Google's latest Tensor G6 processor. The Pixel 11 sports 12GB of memory, while the 11 Pro and 11 Pro XL get your choice of 12GB or 16GB of memory and between 256GB and 1TB of storage. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold gets 16GB of memory and between 256GB and 1TB of storage. Google says the Pixel 11's Gemini Intelligence services can perform certain agentic tasks, such as booking you a ride and ordering groceries on its own. The phones are also context-aware, with Google saying they will surface the information you need when you need it. According to the company, this includes things like pulling up your calendar availability when someone asks you to grab dinner via text. In addition to the Pixel 11 line, Google unveiled its Pixel Watch 5, which the company says can now help users track their blood pressure and insulin resistance. Google, however, notes that the features aren't meant to diagnose or treat medical conditions, making them more of a kind of advisory tool. Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on X at @DanielHowley . Click here for the latest technology news that will impact the stock market . Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance