A fresh batch of leaked CAD drawings just gave us our clearest look yet at the Pixel 11. One detail is doing most of the talking. If the base model drops to 8GB of RAM, that’s a problem for a phone Google still markets as AI-first. Here’s what’s confirmed, what’s rumour, and why it matters.
When Is the Pixel 11 Coming Out?
Google hasn’t picked a date yet, but the pattern is easy to read. The Pixel 9 launched on August 13, 2024. The Pixel 10 followed on August 20, 2025. Both events used the Made by Google name, with invites going out in late June or July.
So expect the Pixel 11, Pro, and Pro XL together in mid-to-late August 2026. The Pro Fold should trail toward October, the same gap as last year. Our take: Google has kept this exact slot for three years straight. That consistency is itself a signal — the company has stopped chasing surprise and would rather win on what’s inside the box.
What’s Actually New This Year
Three shifts define this generation. The Tensor G6 chip moves to a 2nm process built by TSMC, a genuine manufacturing jump. Google also drops Samsung’s modem for a new MediaTek M90, ending a six-year run of connectivity complaints. And there’s Pixel Glow: an RGB LED array in the camera bar, replacing the old temperature sensor. It lights up face-down, so you know about a call without picking it up.
ModelDisplayRAM (leaked)BatteryPixel 116.3″, up to 2,200 nits8GB or 12GB~4,840mAhPixel 11 Pro6.3″, up to 2,450 nits12GB or 16GB~4,707mAhPixel 11 Pro XL6.8″, up to 2,450 nits12GB or 16GB~5,000mAhPixel 11 Pro Fold8″ inner / 6.4″ outerunconfirmed~4,658mAhWhere the Camera Leak Comes From
The base Pixel 11 also picks up a new 50MP main sensor, with upgraded Pro sensors too. Google hasn’t confirmed any of this. Mystic Leaks traced the details in a Telegram post with a strong record.
Trust it more than a forum post, less than a press release.
The RAM Cut Everyone’s Arguing About
Here’s where it gets interesting. RAM (random access memory) is your phone’s short-term workspace for juggling apps. More of it usually means smoother multitasking and faster on-device AI. Leaks say the standard Pixel 11 could ship with just 8GB, down from a flat 12GB on every Pixel 10.
This isn’t happening in a vacuum. AI data centres are buying up the global memory chip supply, forcing manufacturers into tough trade-offs. Samsung’s mobile COO told The Verge the shortage made a “significant contribution” to the Galaxy S26’s price hike. That’s the first time a phone maker has openly blamed memory costs for a price jump. Google seems to be testing the opposite move instead: hold the price, cut the spec. We think that’s the riskier bet, given two years of marketing Pixel as AI-native.
Why 8GB Could Lock Out Google’s Own AI Feature
Google confirmed Gemini Intelligence in May 2026 as this generation’s headline AI system. It handles multi-step tasks on its own, like building a shopping list from a photo. To run it, Google sets its own bar: a flagship chip, at least 12GB of RAM, and Gemini Nano version 3 or higher.
If the 8GB leak holds, the cheapest Pixel 11 would miss Google’s own minimum for its own headline feature. Maybe the leak is wrong, or Google relaxes the requirement. Or maybe Google ships a flagship phone that can’t run its own flagship trick out of the box. Worth noting: Apple Intelligence runs on just 8GB. That makes Google’s 12GB floor already 50% higher — a gap reviewers will likely hammer in week one.
What Will It Cost?
Google hasn’t confirmed pricing for any model. So the only reference point is last year: the Pixel 10 started at $799, the Pro at $999, the Pro XL at $1,199, and the Pro Fold at $1,799.
A price increase wouldn’t shock anyone. Component costs have climbed sharply since early 2025, visible already in Samsung’s pricier S26 lineup. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 should follow suit in July. Google’s likeliest move is a $50-$100 bump, possibly paired with the RAM cut rather than instead of it.
What’s Still Unknown
A handful of details stay open: the event date, final RAM across all four models, whether Pixel Glow stays Pro-exclusive, and whether Google’s rumoured face scanner ships this year. Our take: if Gemini Intelligence on day one matters, don’t buy the entry-level Pixel 11 sight unseen.
FAQsDoes the iPhone 18 Pro Max also use a 2nm chip like the Pixel 11?
Yes. Leaks point to both phones debuting rival 2nm processors this year, a rare alignment in node. Google’s Tensor G6 lands first in August, ahead of Apple’s usual September window. Apple should chase raw performance, while Google spends the node jump on always-on AI processing that won’t drain the battery.
What other 2026 phones are hit by the same RAM shortage as the Pixel 11?
Nearly every flagship. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 already launched with a confirmed $100 increase tied to memory costs, and Xiaomi’s 17 Ultra came in roughly 10% pricier than its predecessor. Expect Samsung’s other 2026 launches to face the same balancing act on pricier hardware.
How do I check if my current Android phone supports Gemini Intelligence?
Check your RAM and chipset under Settings. Google requires a flagship-grade processor, 12GB of RAM or more, and Gemini Nano v3 specifically. Memeburn’s Gemini Intelligence compatibility walkthrough covers which recent phones qualify, including some 16GB devices that miss out purely on the Nano version requirement.
Is Samsung’s next foldable launching around the same time as the Pixel 11?
Close, but not identical. Samsung has set the Galaxy Z Fold 8 release date for July 22, 2026, roughly a month ahead of the expected Pixel 11 announcement. That timing matters: Samsung’s foldable debuts Gemini Intelligence first, so Google’s own feature launches on a rival’s hardware.
Will Samsung’s next flagship also see RAM cuts like the Pixel 11 rumours suggest?
Early signs say no. Samsung looks set to hold RAM steady and absorb costs through price instead, the opposite of what’s leaking for the base Pixel 11. Samsung has already teased the Galaxy S27 release date and specs months early, suggesting it wants to control its own pricing narrative rather than let leaks define it.
Vincee Cole is a technology journalist with four years of experience covering the full spectrum of modern tech — from consumer devices, artificial intelligence, to quantum computing, blockchain, and digital assets. His reporting cuts through complexity to deliver stories that are sharp, grounded, and relevant to both general readers and industry insiders. Previously, he worked with fintech research teams across Southeast Asia, analysing how emerging technologies are reshaping financial systems at scale.
