Google Pixel 11 series and Watch 5: what to expect

Google has a major event planned for August 12 (Wednesday) – it will unveil the next generation of Pixel phones, as well as a new watch and perhaps its first smart tag too. Here is what we know so far, both officially and unofficially.

Google is already posting teaser videos like the ones below. They show that we shouldn’t expect much – or even anything – to change in terms of phone design. However, there are new features coming.

One new feature is known as Pixel Glow – it’s an RGB LED on the camera visor on the back of the phone. Mind you, this feature may actually be called HiLight as seen in some leaked materials.

Google officially confirmed that we should expect higher prices for the Pixel 11 series. Actually, price fluctuations may affect existing models like the Pixel 10a as well. The company didn’t give exact numbers, but you can scroll down to see the rumored prices. And with that, we have covered all the official data – now, here come the leaks.

Google has reportedly secured an early order from TSMC’s 2nm output and the Tensor G6 is expected to become the first smartphone chipset on a 2nm node. Additionally, an FCC filing has revealed that Google will be using a MediaTek M90 modem instead of a Samsung Exynos modem like on previous generations.

The hope is for a much more power-efficient setup – the Pixel 10 series didn’t have the best battery life despite decently-sized batteries compared to iPhone and Galaxy models. Satellite connectivity will be available even with the new modem.

The vanilla Google Pixel 11 will feature the new Pixel Glow (or HiLight) notification LED. According to leaked marketing materials, it will have a telephoto camera with up to 30x digital zoom (likely from a 5x 10.8MP like on the Pixel 10).

Google Pixel 11 leaked marketing renders

The phone will support the new Gemini Intelligence, which is more advanced than the current Gemini AI. It will support multi-step tasks, visual context and more agentic features.

More Google Pixel 11 leaked marketing renders

Here are renders that show the Pixel 11 in all four color options:

Pixel 11 in Fuchsia, Light Sterling, Moss and Midnight Haze

Leaked materials for the Google Pixel 11 Pro promise up to 120x digital zoom, so that’s another 5x lens but with a higher resolution sensor behind it – most likely 48MP like on last year’s Pro.

Google Pixel 11 Pro leaked images

From what we’ve heard, Google will drop the 128GB versions of the vanilla and Pro Pixels – they will start at 256GB. However, the base RAM capacity for the Pixel 11 Pro will fall to 12GB – if you want 16GB, like on the 10 Pro, you’ll have to pay for the 512GB upgrade.

More Google Pixel 11 Pro leaked images

As usual, the Google Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro will have 6.3” displays. An Amazon listing suggests that the vanilla model will stay at 1,080 x 2,424px resolution and we haven’t heard anything about upgrading to an LTPO panel. The old Pixel 10 Pro had a 1,280 x 2,856px LTPO display and we expect that the 11 Pro will have the same or a similar panel.

The Pro and Pro XL models will feature different hues than the vanilla Pixel 11. Here’s a look:

Pixel 11 Pro in Dune, Light Fog, Midnight Haze and Pine

The Google Pixel 11 Pro XL won’t change the formula – like its predecessor, it will just be a larger version of the Pro model. At least that’s the picture that leaked info paints.

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL leaked renders

The XL will have a larger battery with a 5,115mAh capacity compared to 4,850mAh for the small Pro, according to leaked stats. These numbers are slightly lower than the corresponding Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL battery capacities, so it will be down to the Tensor G6 to deliver any battery life improvements. Anyway, the Pro XL model will have a 6.8” display.

More Google Pixel 11 Pro XL leaked renders

The Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold will feature an 8” inner display, according to leaked promo materials.

New Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold leaked marketing renders

Rumored specs list only 4,800mAh capacity, which is a noticeable downgrade from the 5,015mAh that the old Fold had. Again, Google is putting a lot of faith into the new G6 chipset.

Even more newly leaked Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold marketing renders

The Google Pixel Watch 5 will be available in several configurations. Users will have a choice between 41mm and 45mm versions, with and without LTE. Upgrades are expected to be limited as the Watch 5 will use the same Snapdragon Wear W5 Gen 2 chipset as the Watch 4 and it will have the same screen.

Google Pixel Watch 5 in: Matte Black • Polished Silver • Satin Pyrite • Champagne Gold

The batteries will get minor bumps to their capacities (we’re talking on the order of 10mAh) while the watch will remain 12.3mm thick. Both versions will weigh the same as their 2025 counterparts too. Like the phones, the Pixel Watch 5 will have Gemini Intelligence on board. There will be an option to call for help if the watch stops detecting a pulse and, apparently, Google has massively improved the sleep tracking accuracy for the new model.

Google is running its own device tracking network, the Find Hub, and it needs a smart tag to help users track backpacks, luggage and so on. This is where the Pixel Tag will come in. Like the Apple AirTag, it is rumored to use UWB for precise distance and direction tracking. It is expected to cost €35 in Europe.

The Pixel Watch 5 prices are going up too – in the US, the comparable models will be $50 more than the Watch 4 pricing, for example. In Europe, the price hike will be smaller, €20.

We will be covering the Google Pixel unveiling next week, so check back on Wednesday for all the official details on the new phone, the watch and the tag – plus whatever else Google sees fit to unveil.