Google has scheduled its Pixel 11 launch event for August 12 in New York, positioning the new smartphones about a month ahead of Apple's expected iPhone 18 lineup, which includes the first foldable iPhone. The move aims to capture early market attention with refined designs and competitive features.
Four models with slimmer bezels and an all-black camera bar
Leaked CAD renders suggest Google will unveil the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the foldable Pixel 11 Pro Fold. All models boast reduced bezels and a slightly thinner profile compared to the Pixel 10. The rear camera bar adopts a uniform black finish. The foldable variant is rumored to be 10.1mm thick when folded and 4.8mm when unfolded, dimensions closely matching the anticipated Apple foldable iPhone thickness.
Price increases driven by surging DRAM costs
Industry-wide memory price hikes are forcing Google to raise prices. A European leak indicates a €100 increase across all Pixel 11 models compared to the Pixel 10 series. Apple similarly raised Mac and iPad prices in June, and analyst estimates suggest the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max could cost up to $200 more than their predecessors. The soaring cost of DRAM is affecting every major smartphone maker.
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Base storage starts at 256GB, mirroring Apple's move
Google will drop the 128GB variant and start the Pixel 11 lineup at 256GB of storage, following Apple's decision with the iPhone 17 series. This aligns with growing user demand for larger storage capacities and positions the devices as premium contenders.
Fierce competition from Apple and Samsung
The Pixel 11 series will compete directly with the iPhone 18 Pro models, which Apple will introduce in September. However, Apple will not release a standard iPhone 18 until spring 2027, leaving the Pro models and the foldable iPhone to lead. Samsung will also launch its Galaxy Z Fold 8, Z Flip 8, and Z Fold 8 Wide in late July, with the wide variant featuring an aspect ratio similar to the rumored Apple foldable. Samsung has been perfecting foldables since 2019, and Google entered the market in 2023 with the first Pixel Fold. This backdrop sets the stage for an intense fall season.
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For more details on the competition, read our analysis on the iPhone 18 Pro thickness and its implications. External context is available on the Wikipedia page for Google Pixel.
Source: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/07/07/google-pixel-11-event
