Pixel 11, Watch 5, and Pixel Tag: Everything We Know About Google’s Event

Google is gearing up for a major product showcase on Wednesday, August 12, where the tech giant is set to unveil the highly anticipated Pixel 11 smartphone lineup, the Pixel Watch 5, and potentially its first-ever smart tracker, the Pixel Tag. While official teasers suggest the physical design language will remain largely unchanged, a flurry of reliable leaks indicates significant upgrades under the hood, alongside an industry-wide trend: price hikes.

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of what to expect from Google’s next-generation hardware event.

Pixel 11: A Familiar Face with a New “Glow”

Google’s official promotional videos indicate that the Pixel 11 series will retain the signature camera visor design. However, the visor will house a new functional aesthetic: an RGB LED notification light, internally referred to as “Pixel Glow” (or potentially marketed as “HiLight”).

Powering the Future: The 2nm Tensor G6

The most critical upgrade lies inside the chassis. Google has reportedly secured early capacity from TSMC’s cutting-edge 2nm manufacturing process. This makes the upcoming Tensor G6 the world’s first smartphone chipset built on a 2nm node, promising massive efficiency gains.

Furthermore, FCC filings reveal a strategic pivot in connectivity. Google is ditching Samsung’s Exynos modems in favor of a MediaTek M90 modem. This pairing aims to resolve the battery life woes that plagued the Pixel 10 series, while continuing to support advanced satellite connectivity.

The Pixel 11 Lineup Breakdown

• Google Pixel 11: The standard model will feature a 6.3-inch display (expected to remain at 1,080 x 2,424px). Camera upgrades include a telephoto lens capable of up to 30x digital zoom. It will be powered by a more advanced iteration of Google’s AI, dubbed “Gemini Intelligence,” capable of handling complex, multi-step agentic tasks.

• Google Pixel 11 Pro: Maintaining the 6.3-inch form factor but sporting a sharper LTPO display, the Pro model promises up to 120x digital zoom courtesy of a new high-resolution (likely 48MP) telephoto sensor. Notably, the base RAM will reportedly drop to 12GB; power users wanting 16GB will need to purchase the 512GB storage tier.

• Google Pixel 11 Pro XL: Designed for phablet enthusiasts, the XL variant will feature a 6.8-inch display and a larger 5,115mAh battery. While the battery is marginally smaller than last year’s 10 Pro XL, the ultra-efficient Tensor G6 is expected to deliver net-positive battery life.

• Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: The second-generation foldable will sport a massive 8-inch inner display. However, leaked specs indicate a battery reduction to 4,800mAh (down from 5,015mAh), putting immense pressure on the new 2nm chip to maintain all-day endurance.

Expanding the Ecosystem: Watch 5 and Pixel Tag

Pixel Watch 5

Google’s smartwatch division is opting for refinement over revolution. The Pixel Watch 5 will be available in 41mm and 45mm sizes (with Wi-Fi and LTE options). It retains the Snapdragon Wear W5 Gen 2 chipset and the 12.3mm thickness of its predecessor. The major upgrades are software-driven: Gemini Intelligence integration, vastly improved sleep tracking accuracy, and a new emergency feature that automatically calls for help if it fails to detect a pulse.

Google Pixel Tag

To bolster its device tracking network, Google is entering the smart tag market. The rumored “Pixel Tag” will leverage Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology for precise directional tracking of luggage and keys, aiming directly at Apple’s AirTag. It is expected to retail for around €35 in Europe.

The Price of Innovation

Google has officially signaled that the Pixel 11 series will carry a higher price tag, a move that may also trigger price adjustments for existing models like the Pixel 10a. Base storage for the flagship models now starts at 256GB, eliminating the 128GB tier entirely.

Rumored Pricing and Storage

The leaked pricing indicates an upward trend across the board, including a $50 increase for the Pixel Watch 5 in the US (and a €20 increase in Europe) compared to the Watch 4’s launch pricing.

Pixel 11 Series

Model	256GB	512GB	1TB
Pixel 11	$899 / £879	$1,019	–
Pixel 11 Pro	$1,099 / £1,079	$1,219	$1,449
Pixel 11 Pro XL	$1,299 / £1,279	$1,419	$1,649
Pixel 11 Pro Fold	$1,899	$2,019	$2,249

Pixel Watch 5

Model	Wi-Fi	LTE
41mm	$399 / £369 / €419	$499 / £469 / €519
45mm	$429 / £399 / €449	$529 / £499 / €549

Pixel Tag: Expected to retail at €35 in Europe.