The Pixel 11’s Biggest New Feature May Be Its Higher Price.
Smartphone manufacturers rarely innovate these days, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a sign that the iPhone and Android have become so good that there’s little room for serious refinements and improvements. When a company like Google announces a new line of smartphones, most of us don’t expect anything that will convince us to upgrade from the previous generation; rather, we know that if it’s time to buy a new phone, the latest generation will likely be the de facto “best” phone available.
This seems to be the case with Google’s upcoming Pixel 11 lineup. Rumors suggest the company will, as expected, make minor updates in a few key areas without significantly changing the Pixel 10. The most significant change is likely to be the phone’s price. If you’re considering upgrading to the new Pixel 11, be aware that you may be paying more for it than ever before.
What’s new in Pixel 11?
As Engadget notes , the overall design of the Pixel 11 lineup is virtually identical to the Pixel 10. This applies to all purported models, including the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. If you own a qualifying Pixel 10 device, upgrading to the Pixel 11 will have the same screen sizes, meaning the lineup will feature the following displays:
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Pixel 11 : 6.3 inches (1080 x 2424)
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Pixel 11 Pro : 6.3 inches (1280 x 2856)
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Pixel 11 Pro XL : 6.8 inches (1344 x 2992)
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Pixel 11 Pro Fold : 6.3-inch outer display (1080 x 2342) and 8-inch inner display (2076 x 2160).
The camera bumps will also remain unchanged, although the hardware itself may receive a minor update. The Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro Fold may come with 50MP main cameras, a slight improvement over the 48MP camera in the Pixel 10. The cameras in the 11 Pro and 11 Pro XL may also receive new sensors.
While it may seem impossible to tell the Pixel 11 from the Pixel 10 at first glance, that’s not actually the case. Rumors suggest Google will introduce new colors for this lineup. The Pixel 11 may come in Midnight, Fuchsia, and Moss, while the Pixel 11 Pro may come in Dune, Pine, and Sterling. Finally, the Pixel 11 Pro may be available in Midnight or Pine.
Perhaps the most significant update this year will be the Tensor G6 chip. According to Engadget, Google’s latest SoC (system-on-a-chip) is built on a 2nm process, which may be the same as Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 series. While we’ll need access to the phone to conduct real-world tests and evaluate performance, the new chip could offer better battery life and power efficiency than the current Tensor G5.
The Pixel 11 could be more expensive than ever.
However, new generations of smartphones are expected to feature new chips. Perhaps the biggest surprise this year will be the actual price of Google’s newest phones. Like Apple, Google may ditch the base Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro models with 128GB of storage and instead start with 256GB. While this is good for users who frequently run out of storage, it lowers the previous base price of $799. The new starting price will now be $899: technically the same price, but the new Pixel will cost $100 more than before.
However, prices for the Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold could rise simply due to the ongoing memory crisis . Due to high demand for RAM and other computer components worldwide, companies are raising prices across the board. As a result, Engadget speculates that prices for the Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold could increase by €100, which could also translate into a $100 price hike in the US.
If you want the latest and greatest phone from Google, you’ll have to spend extra. However, you might be better off finding a Pixel 10 or Pixel 10a at a better price. After all, the differences between the Pixel 11 series models aren’t so significant as to justify the expected price increase.