Google has officially confirmed the date of its annual Made by Google technology event. The presentation will take place on August 12, 2026, in New York. The main event will be the announcement of the flagship Pixel 11 smartphone lineup, which, according to leaks and analyst forecasts, will mark a significant shift in the company's strategy: a complete move away from base models with 128 GB of storage and a transition to more expensive configurations.

Technological breakthrough and new design

One of the most noticeable visual changes in the Pixel 11 series will be the introduction of the interactive LED Pixel Glow technology (also known as Gemini Glow in the code). This multi-color RGB system will replace the infrared temperature sensor present in previous generations of devices. The new system is designed to provide dynamic feedback: it will display notification statuses, battery charge levels, and visualize the operation of the built-in Gemini Intelligence artificial intelligence, even when the phone is lying face down.

Architecture and performance

The entire Pixel 11 lineup will switch to the new Tensor G6 system-on-chip (codenamed Malibu). This is the first generation of chips produced using the advanced 2-nanometer process at TSMC facilities. The move to a finer process is intended to solve the chronic Pixel lineup problems with excessive heat generation and power consumption. As a network interface, the MediaTek M90 5G modem will be integrated, replacing solutions from Samsung.

New memory standard and pricing

Google is forced to revise its pricing policy upwards. The starting cost of devices will increase by an average of $100/EUR compared to last year's models. This is due to a global shortage in the semiconductor market and rising memory prices. Furthermore, the company is abandoning the 128 GB configuration, setting 256 GB as the new industry standard for the premium segment.

Forecasted specifications and prices for the Pixel 11 lineup models:

  • Pixel 11 (base): 256 GB storage, Tensor G6 chip. Price: from $899 (USA) / from €999 (Eurozone).
  • Pixel 11 Pro: 256 GB storage, 16 GB RAM, reduced body thickness. Price: from $1099 (USA) / from €1199 (Eurozone).
  • Pixel 11 Pro XL: 256 GB storage, 6.8-inch display, increased battery capacity. Price: from $1299 (USA) / from €1399 (Eurozone).
  • Pixel 11 Pro Fold: 256 GB storage, 8.0-inch flexible internal OLED screen. Price: from $1899 (USA) / from €1999 (Eurozone).

Economic context and the role of AI

The move away from small storage volumes is dictated not only by economics but also by the technical requirements of modern local AI models. The Gemini Intelligence architecture requires significant resources to host heavy language packs and data processing algorithms directly on the device, without resorting to cloud servers. In Pro versions, the amount of RAM has been increased to 16 GB to ensure stable operation of these functions.

This move correlates with the strategy of competitors such as Apple and Samsung, which have also excluded 128 GB modifications from their flagship lineups. According to regulations of the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), devices are already undergoing certification for 5G frequency bands and UWB modules, confirming the imminent appearance of devices in North American and European markets after the presentation.