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Aug 11, 2026 — 5:00 AM ET
- Google’s Made by Google event starts August 12 at 6 PM ET, with the Pixel 11 family expected to headline the show.
- Pixel Watch 5 and the rumored Pixel Tag could join the phones, while Pixel Buds Pro 2 may get a new color.
- Tensor G6, HiLight, Gemini Intelligence, higher prices, and 256GB base storage could define this year’s Pixel story.
Google has almost nothing left to hide about the upcoming Pixel 11. After months of leaks, renders, regulatory filings, and carefully timed teasers from Google itself, we already have a surprisingly clear picture of what the company plans to unveil at its Made by Google event on August 12. The Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold are all expected to take the stage, alongside the Pixel Watch 5. There’s also a genuine wildcard: Google’s long-rumored Pixel Tag.
That doesn’t mean there’s nothing left to learn. Google still needs to confirm the rumored prices, explain what Tensor G6 brings to the table, show us how its new HiLight feature works, and demonstrate why Gemini Intelligence makes these Pixels worth buying. Here’s what we’re expecting.
Here’s everything we expect to see at the Pixel 11 launch — and what’s still up in the air.
When and where to watch the Pixel 11 launch #
This week’s Made by Google 2026 event takes place on Wednesday, August 12, at 6 PM ET / 3 PM PT in New York City. Google will livestream the event through its official Made by Google YouTube channel, with the Google Store also expected to carry the stream. That’s considerably later than last year’s Pixel 10 launch, which began at 1 PM ET.
Comedian and former The Daily Show host Trevor Noah is expected to host, with guests including Alex Cooper, Stephen Curry, Shubman Gill, Peggy Gou, Jesser, JuJu Watkins, Chari Hawkins, and PinkPantheress. There’s also a curious pre-order wrinkle: A countdown reportedly published by Google and Best Buy was set to expire several hours before the keynote, raising the possibility that pre-orders could open before the event itself.
Four Pixel 11 phones are expected #
The main attraction will be a familiar four-phone lineup: Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold.
Don’t expect a radical redesign. Leaks point to the same basic design language we’ve seen since the Pixel 9, although the phones could be slightly thinner and receive a refined camera bar. The Pro models are also expected to lose the temperature sensor found on their predecessors because Google appears to have something else planned for the camera bar.
HiLight could be the Pixel 11’s standout feature #
The feature previously known as Pixel Glow is reportedly called HiLight, and Google has already teased the hardware behind it. The camera-bar flash is expected to double as an RGB light that can provide notifications without requiring you to look at the display.
Leaked details suggest HiLight could illuminate for calls from selected contacts or when you’re chatting with Gemini, with Google Contacts code reportedly revealing support for assigning different colors to individual contacts. It’s a fun Pixel-exclusive trick, although I’m more interested in whether Google will let third-party apps use it.
Tensor G6 could be the biggest upgrade #
The most consequential change could be hiding inside the phones.
Leaks indicate that Tensor G6 will be manufactured by TSMC using a 2nm process, marking a major departure from Google’s previous Tensor chips. The chip is reportedly based on newer Arm C1 cores and uses a PowerVR GPU. Google is also rumored to be abandoning its Samsung-derived modem technology in favor of MediaTek’s M90 modem.
That’s potentially more important than a benchmark score. Tensor has consistently lagged behind rival flagship chips in raw performance and efficiency, while Pixel owners have complained about heat, battery life, and connectivity. A more efficient chip and newer modem could address several of those weaknesses at once.
We’ll have to wait for real-world testing to know whether Tensor G6 actually delivers, but this is one upgrade I’m particularly keen to see.
256GB storage, but higher prices #
Google is reportedly making 256GB the minimum storage option across the Pixel 11 lineup, eliminating the 128GB configuration. That’s a welcome change as phones increasingly have to accommodate large photo libraries, high-resolution video, and on-device AI features. The downside is that prices are expected to rise. Current leaks point to starting prices of $899 for the Pixel 11, $1,099 for the Pixel 11 Pro, $1,299 for the Pro XL, and $1,899 for the Pro Fold.
Those figures remain unconfirmed, but Google’s own comments about sharply higher memory costs make a price increase plausible. There’s an interesting contradiction here, too: some leaks suggest the Pixel 11 Pro could have 12GB of RAM, down from the 16GB previously rumored. Given Google’s focus on Gemini and on-device AI, that’s something worth watching.
Cameras are getting an AI-heavy upgrade #
The Pixel 11 isn’t expected to completely reinvent Google’s camera hardware, but the Pro models could still get meaningful upgrades.
The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL are expected to retain a triple-camera setup consisting of a 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide with macro, and 48MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom. Leaks point to up to 120x digital zoom, while Google’s AI is expected to play an even larger role in long-range photography and video.
New camera software reportedly includes an improved Cinematic Blur mode, video relighting, 4K/30fps support, and an Ultra Low Light video mode. The Pro models are also rumored to feature displays capable of reaching 3,600 nits. As impressive as those numbers sound, I’ll be more interested in how these features perform outside Google’s launch demos.
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold could finally launch with everyone else #
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is expected to get Tensor G6 and the MediaTek M90 modem, along with an 8-inch inner display and a slimmer body. It’s also expected to receive HiLight. The foldable reportedly starts at $1,899, with 512GB and 1TB versions costing more. Its battery could actually shrink slightly to 4,750mAh, although the more efficient Tensor G6 may help offset the reduction.
That’s not exactly the kind of change I’d expect from a new foldable given what Samsung did with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, although the more efficient Tensor G6 could help compensate. But more importantly, Google could finally launch its foldable alongside the rest of the Pixel family. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is currently rumored to ship on August 20, rather than arriving weeks after the other models.
Pixel Watch 5 and Pixel Tag could join the phones #
The Pixel Watch 5 is also expected at the event. Leaks point to the same general design as the Watch 4, but with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 “Accelerated” chip, 3GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. Prices reportedly start at $399 for the 41mm and $429 for the 45mm, with an August 20 release date tipped.
The more surprising announcement could be the Pixel Tag, Google’s rumored answer to Apple’s AirTag. Leaks suggest a pill-shaped tracker with a built-in speaker and a European price of around €34.90. The big unanswered question is whether Google has included Ultra-Wideband support for precise directional finding.
Google could also introduce a new dark green Pixel Buds Pro 2 colorway, although there’s no strong indication that a Pixel Buds Pro 3 is coming. A new color wouldn’t be unprecedented; Google has previously introduced Pixel Buds colors alongside new Pixel phones, sometimes specifically matching the phones’ finishes.
Gemini Intelligence could be the real star #
The hardware may get top billing, but I suspect Gemini will dominate Google’s presentation.
The Pixel 11 isn’t expected to look radically different from the phones before it, so Google needs to explain why its latest generation matters. Gemini Intelligence appears to be a big part of that answer, with leaks pointing to a more deeply integrated AI experience capable of understanding context across your Google account and interacting with different parts of the phone.
But for now, all of this should be treated as a mix of official Google teasers and information from leaks and rumors. Google gets the final word on August 12.
After months of leaks, that’s when speculation finally meets reality. Check back with Android Authority for full coverage of everything Google has to share.
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