Everything That Was Already Announced Before the Made by Google 2026 Presentation

The Made by Google 2026 conference officially begins at 6:00 PM ET on Wednesday , but it’s hard to tell from today’s tech news. About eight hours before the event was scheduled to begin , Google apparently announced all the new hardware and software features it plans to unveil during the keynote. Unless the company is saving some secrets for the show, it seems all the real news about Made by Google has already been leaked.

So, we already know everything about the new Google Pixel 11 lineup, including the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro XL. We’ve seen the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, the Pixel Watch 5, and even the Pixel Tag, Google’s first AirTag competitor. Google also shared some details about the new features coming to these devices, as well as existing Pixel products. While we still have to wait until tonight to watch the full event stream, here’s everything the company announced ahead of Made by Google 2026.

Google has announced the Pixel 11 series.

Photo: Rene Ramos/CNET Group

At first glance, the Google Pixel 11 series doesn’t look much different from the Pixel 10 series. The company has opted to maintain the current Pixel design, meaning the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, and Pixel 11 Pro XL feature a large oval camera bump on the back and a small circular camera cutout on the front. However, Google claims to have reduced the thickness of the Pixel 11’s camera bump by 40%, which it says provides a “virtually bezel-less” experience when used with a “Made by Google” case.

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This year, the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL are brighter: Google claims the displays can reach 3600 nits of brightness, and the improved scratch-resistant coating, according to the company, more than doubles the scratch resistance of the Pixel 10 Pro. Overall, Google claims the 11 Pro are the most durable Pixel phones to date.

It turns out the rumors about low storage were true: Google is ditching the 128GB models this year. All three Pixel 11 models start with 256GB of storage, which is great for storing large files on the device, but not exactly wallet-friendly. While the 256GB option costs the same as last year’s 256GB Pixel 10 devices, Google has actually raised the starting price by eliminating the cheaper 128GB option. The cheapest Pixel 11 now starts at $899.

All three Pixel 11 devices feature the new Tensor G6 chip, which, as expected, outperforms last year’s Tensor G5. Google claims this chip’s processor delivers 25% faster web page loading and 15% faster app launches. The TPU handles 50% more computing resources, meaning the G6 can process on-device AI functions 3.5 times faster than before, while being 3.5 times more power efficient.

Perhaps the most “fun” Google feature this year was “HiLight,” a new LED built into the camera module. Google claims the light can be used for notifications, allowing you to keep track of important updates even when the phone is face-down. For example, you can assign colors to different contacts so you know who’s calling without picking up the phone. Furthermore, the light can glow in specific patterns when you’re talking to Gemini, indicating whether the AI ​​is listening, “thinking,” or answering your calls. However, as Marques Brownlee notes , there’s not much else you can do with HiLight, which seems like a missed opportunity—especially considering other Android smartphone makers, like Nothing , offer a wealth of customization options for their LEDs. Google has announced plans to add new features in the future, such as message notifications from favorite contacts, but we’ll have to wait and see if the company decides to fully utilize this interesting hardware feature.

Google’s Pixel line has always been renowned for its cameras, and this year will likely be no exception. Google claims that all three Pixel 11 phones have received significant camera upgrades. For example, the Pixel 11 features a 48-megapixel main sensor with 56% greater light sensitivity, and the 5x telephoto lens now supports 30x “superzoom” thanks to the Tensor G6 chip. The Pro models also received a number of unique upgrades: Google claims that the main sensor in each model is completely new this year, and the telephoto lens now features a 48-megapixel resolution and 30% greater light sensitivity. Portrait mode now supports 5x zoom, and “pro zoom” can now reach up to 120x. Google also claims that low-light photography on the Pixel 11 should improve, as Night Sight is 4.5x faster.

The Pixel 11 comes in four colors: Pistachio, Hibiscus, Frost, and Obsidian. The Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL are available in Canyon, Mist, Olive, and the all-matte Obsidian. They also feature faster charging, especially the Pro models. These phones support 25W Qi 2.2 charging, and you can get 15 hours of battery life on the Pixel 11 Pro XL with just 15 minutes of wired charging—provided you’re properly set up.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is another minor update.

Photo: Rene Ramos/CNET Group

Today, Google also announced the successor to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but like the Pixel 11 series, it’s an easy-to-miss update. These phones are quite similar, though Google claims some minor design improvements: the new foldable phone is nearly 10% lighter and 1 mm thinner than before. It maintains the same IP68 water and dust resistance rating as before, but new glass fiber composite materials make the Pixel 11 Pro Fold “virtually indestructible,” according to Google. The company also claims the foldable phone is three times stronger than the previous version, with improved bend resistance at the hinge.

Like the Pixel 11 series, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold’s display is brighter this year, reaching a peak brightness of 3,600 nits. The Fold also features HiLight LED backlighting, though the foldable’s backlighting remains unchanged. This phone also supports the 25W Qi2.2 standard, and you can charge it up to 50% in 30 minutes using a 30W wired charger. Google claims the foldable phone can last up to 24 hours on battery, so you should theoretically be able to use it all day without recharging.

The Fold also features Google’s latest Tensor G6 chip, this time with 16GB of RAM. Google claims it powers the new “sign language to text” feature, developed in collaboration with the deaf community. This feature allows you to use Live Transcribe to translate sign language into text. Google claims the feature works with both one- and two-handed sign language. The new Fold also features a new 48-megapixel main sensor, and the telephoto lens now supports superzoom up to 30x.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold smartphone is available in two colors: obsidian and olive. The price starts at $1,899.

Pixel Watch 5

Photo: Rene Ramos/CNET Group

Google also announced the fifth generation of its Pixel Watch. The new watch features a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Accelerated processor, 50% more RAM, and a 12% faster processor than last year’s Pixel Watch 4. Google claims the Pixel Watch 5 delivers the most accurate GPS tracking ever, with twice the accuracy of previous models. The company claims its tracking accuracy surpasses that of the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Garmin Fenix ​​8 Pro.

Google claims the Pixel Watch 5 is 15% more accurate at detecting sleep stages than before, so your sleep tracking should be more realistic. It also features a new respiratory distress detection feature, which uses the watch’s multimodal sensors and built-in AI to track “severe, sustained drops in oxygen saturation levels.” If the watch detects respiratory distress, it can call emergency services on your behalf and share your exact location. (This feature will first launch in Europe.) The company also announced a new strength training mode, which will offer step-by-step instructions for completing exercises.

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While not specific to the Pixel Watch 5, Google also announced ” Health Guardian “—a suite of features that tracks changes in your health over time, including trends in insulin resistance, blood pressure, sleep breathing quality, and the aforementioned respiratory distress detection. You’ll receive a monthly report in the Google Health app highlighting any noticeable changes. This feature works with “eligible Pixel Watches” and Fitbit Air, though Google hasn’t specified which Pixel Watch models are compatible with these new features.

The Pixel Watch 5 features a convex Actua 360 display with 3000 nits of brightness and 11 new display options. Google has also added two new watch faces, as well as additional generative watch face options. The watch offers up to 30 hours of battery life on the 41mm model or up to 40 hours on the 45mm model.

They come in Mist, Olive, or Canyon (41mm only) and are priced from $399 (41mm) and $429 (45mm). There’s also a Stephen Curry Special Edition (45mm), starting at $579.

Google Pixel Tag

Photo: Rene Ramos/CNET Group

As it turns out, the rumors about the Pixel Tag were also true: yes, Google is working on its own version of Apple’s AirTag. Instead of using Apple’s Find My network, the Pixel Tag uses Google’s Find Hub network to achieve the same goals. The Pixel Tag can connect to over a billion Android devices worldwide, updating its location using end-to-end encryption.

Google claims the Pixel Tag has an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance and a built-in speaker for device location. It also has its own dedicated button that can be pressed to send a signal to your phone, something AirTags lack. Like AirTags, the Pixel Tag runs on a single, replaceable battery for up to a year.

Setting up the Pixel Tag is similar to setting up an AirTag: you hold the device close to your phone, and setup instructions appear on the screen. Afterward, you can share the Pixel Tag with up to ten other users. When you need to locate the Pixel Tag, you can use either Ultra Wideband or Bluetooth acoustic sensing to pinpoint its location, while receiving step-by-step instructions to find the tracker.

With the Lost and Found alerts feature, you can find out if you’ve left anything behind, and your phone will notify you if an unknown Pixel Tag is tracking you. Like AirTags, Pixel Tags are available for $29 each or $99 for a pack of four. Pixel Tags will be available for purchase on November 11th.

Updates for Pixel Buds Pro 2 and Pixel Buds 2a

While Google isn’t releasing new earbuds today, the company is updating existing models. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 will feature Dynamic Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which adjusts noise cancellation as you move the earbuds in your ears. You’ll be able to ask Gemini to adjust audio settings, such as bass level, and the Pixel Watch will be able to pause audio on the earbuds when it detects you’ve fallen asleep. Live Translate will work in over 70 languages ​​by tapping the earbuds, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are now available in olive green . (The software features will begin rolling out in September.)

Gemini will connect to the following services.

Finally, Google announced new apps that will connect to Gemini in the coming weeks to expand their functionality. These include:

  • Angie

  • High temperature

  • GetYourGuide

  • Granola

  • iHeartRadio

  • Localization

  • OpenTable (UK)

  • Otter.ai

  • Pandora

  • Button

  • Ticketmaster

  • Vicks

  • Zokdok

More…

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