The calendar of tech events has been updated with a new date: on August 12 in New York, the major Made by Google presentation will take place. The company has officially sent out invitations, and the published teasers already allow us to confidently assume that the main star of the evening will be the flagship Pixel 11 smartphone lineup.
Design and the new Pixel Glow feature
Judging by the first official images, Google does not intend to radically break established traditions. The upcoming novelties will retain a recognizable silhouette: a flat screen and a massive camera module, which has become the brand's calling card in recent years. However, engineers promise to make the premium Pro versions and the foldable Pro Fold thinner, which should improve the ergonomics of the devices.
The main visual innovation of the series will be the Pixel Glow technology. Google has decided to replace the infrared thermometer, which did not find mass appeal among users, with a more practical solution. A system of colored LED indicators will be integrated into the smartphone's rear panel. This backlight performs several functions at once: it notifies about incoming messages, displays application statuses, and visualizes the work of the Gemini artificial intelligence when the phone is lying face down.
Memory and prices: the end of the 128 GB era
Technically, the lineup is undergoing a serious change that will affect buyers' wallets. Google is completely abandoning the base built-in memory volume of 128 GB. For modern flagships of 2026, this volume is already considered outdated, so both the standard Pixel 11 and the advanced Pixel 11 Pro will start exclusively with 256 GB.
Following Apple and other competitors, the company is forced to review its pricing policy. The global shortage of semiconductors and the rapid rise in the cost of RAM have led to the fact that the cost of all new models will increase by approximately $100 or €100.
Pixel Watch 5: risk for autonomy
In addition to smartphones, the presentation is expected to announce the Pixel Watch 5 smartwatch. Externally, the device is unlikely to undergo significant metamorphosis — Google adheres to a single round design with minimalist lines. The revolution will happen inside: the company plans to abandon the proven Qualcomm Snapdragon processors in favor of its own Tensor microchip, developed specifically for wearable devices.
Experts view this step with caution. At one time, the transition of smartphones to the first generations of Tensor chips was accompanied by problems with overheating and imperfect optimization. The key question that engineers need to solve is whether the proprietary processor will be able to ensure high interface speed without exhausting the already modest battery of the watch.
When to watch the broadcast
This year, Google has changed the schedule of its event. Unlike traditional morning presentations, the Made by Google 2026 broadcast will start at 01:00 AM on August 13 Kyiv time.
