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Google Pixel 11 event: what to expect

Google’s August 12 event may unveil Pixel 11, Pixel Watch 5 and HiLight, with leaked specs pointing to higher prices and a Gemini-focused keynote.

· 4 min read

Image: Mashable

Google’s Made by Google event on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, is expected to introduce the Pixel 11 lineup, Pixel Watch 5 and a new camera-bar lighting feature. But with leaks revealing much of the hardware, the keynote may focus more heavily on Gemini software.

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As Mashable reports, comedian and former Daily Show host Trevor Noah will host the event, joined by guests including Stephen Curry, Alex Cooper, Shubman Gill, Peggy Gou, Jesser, JuJu Watkins, Chari Hawkins and PinkPantheress. The format differs from 2025, when Google presented the event as a non-canon Tonight Show segment with Jimmy Fallon.

The livestream begins at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT on August 12 through the Made by Google YouTube channel and Google Store. That is eight hours after a reported Pixel 11 preorder countdown expires at 10 a.m. ET, so much of the news may be public before the keynote starts.

Pixel 11 lineup and expected prices

Google is expected to show four phones:

The prices remain leaks, but a Google devices executive has reportedly confirmed that adjustments are coming because of rising component costs. The reports connect those increases to broader memory-supply pressures.

The phones are expected to retain the Pixel 10 family’s basic design, with a camera bar that is black across its full width. The headline internal change could be Google’s Tensor G6 chip, reportedly built by TSMC on a 2-nanometer process. Leaked specifications also point to newer Arm C1 cores, a PowerVR GPU and MediaTek’s M90 modem instead of Samsung-derived modems.

Google may also make 256GB the minimum storage tier for the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro, replacing the previous 128GB option. One leak lists 12GB of RAM for the Pixel 11 Pro, down from the Pixel 10 Pro’s 16GB.

The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL are expected to keep three rear cameras: a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP ultrawide with macro, and a 48MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom. Reported software additions include improved Cinematic Blur, video relighting, 4K video at 30 frames per second and an Ultra Low Light video mode. The standard Pixel 11's camera setup remains disputed, with reports split over whether it will include a telephoto lens.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold could use an 8-inch inner display and measure 10.1mm when folded. It may add a telephoto camera, while its battery could shrink to 4,750mAh. Leaks suggest the Fold might launch around August 20 alongside the rest of the lineup rather than arriving weeks later, though Google has not confirmed that timing.

The expected color options include bright pink for the standard Pixel 11, a gold-framed Dune finish for the Pro models and a matte-black version of Obsidian sometimes called Midnight Haze.

Pixel Watch 5 and the HiLight feature

The Pixel Watch 5 is expected to keep the Pixel Watch 4's round design while moving to a Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 “Accelerated” chip, 3GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. That would double the previous model’s storage. Battery estimates remain about 30 hours for the 41mm model and 40 hours for the 45mm version.

Leaked prices put the 41mm watch at about $399, up from $349.99, and the 45mm model at about $429, up from $399.99. A reported Steph Curry Special Edition may be limited to a watch band, the US market and the larger case size.

Another rumored addition, previously called Pixel Glow and now referred to as HiLight, would turn the camera-bar flash into an RGB light. On Pro models, it could use different colors to identify callers or signal an active Gemini conversation. The feature reportedly replaces the temperature sensor used on earlier Pixel phones, and may not be available on the base Pixel 11.

Gemini Intelligence takes center stage

With the hardware changes looking incremental, Google is expected to use Gemini Intelligence as the main reason to upgrade. Leaked Pixel Watch 5 marketing describes Gemini as a “personal, proactive assistant,” with a Proactive Suggestions feature that recommends context-aware replies and improved sleep tracking.

Google is not expected to announce rumored Googlebook laptops or Android XR smart glasses at the August event; both product lines were previously associated with a fall launch. Reports also point to no new Pixel smart ring or Pixelsnap accessories.

![Portrait of a Black man](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/authors/03tgQJc7HbwhuDaGMU[…]

The event follows Google’s announced plan to begin replacing Assistant with Gemini on Android, Wear OS and Android Auto from September 4, 2026, making the software story at Made by Google particularly relevant beyond the new devices.