Google has officially kicked off its promotional campaign for the upcoming Pixel 11 series, confirming an August 12 launch event while unveiling a new hardware feature known as “Pixel Glow.” The company’s store page confirms the “Made By Google” event will take place at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT, where it intends to showcase the new device lineup alongside updates regarding Gemini Intelligence.
The Introduction of Pixel Glow
The most prominent hardware reveal in the initial teaser is a circular light feature positioned on the camera bar, located in the same space as the flashlight. According to reports, this feature is expected to be called “Pixel Glow.” The visual element is capable of displaying a full range of colors. While Google has not provided specific functional details, observers have noted that its color-shifting appearance bears a resemblance to the “Spinning Beach Ball of Death” associated with Mac operating systems. Speculation suggests the feature may integrate with Google’s Gemini AI, though official confirmation is expected during the August 12 keynote.
Significant Price Increases and Storage Changes
Ahead of the official event, leaked Amazon listings—which have since been removed—suggest that the Pixel 11 lineup will see a notable increase in starting prices across the board. Reports indicate that Google is eliminating lower-capacity storage tiers, effectively raising the entry-level price for consumers. The base Pixel 11 is expected to start at $899, representing a $100 increase over the previous year’s model. This price shift is attributed to the removal of the 128GB storage variant, with the series now starting at 256GB. Similar upward trends appear to apply to the rest of the family: | Device | Reported Starting Price | | :— | :— | | Pixel 11 | $899 | | Pixel 11 Pro | $1,099 | | Pixel 11 Pro XL | $1,299 | | Pixel 11 Pro Fold | $1,899 | The potential price hike for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is particularly significant, with reports indicating an increase of $400 compared to the previous generation’s launch price.
For more on this story, see Google Sets Made by Google 2026 Date and Teases Pixel 11 Pro.
Leaked Specifications and Color Options
The leaked Amazon data provided a glimpse into the hardware configurations for the new series, though analysts note these specs may have been placeholders. The base Pixel 11 is listed with 12GB of RAM and a 4,985 mAh battery, featuring a 6.3-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. The color palette for the series appears to be diverse. For the base model, reports cite options including midnight, fuchsia, moss, obsidian, frost, hibiscus, and pistachio. The Pro models are expected to arrive in colors such as dune, light fog, pine, sterling, canyon, and obsidian.
Pixel Watch 5 Updates
The leaks also extended to the Pixel Watch 5, which is expected to debut alongside the smartphones. The watch appears to be following the pricing trend of the phones, with a $50 increase for the base 41mm Wi-Fi model, bringing its starting price to $399. The 45mm LTE variant is reportedly priced at $529. The watch will be available in four colors: dark anthracite, natural silver, warm gold, and pyrite.
This follows our earlier report, Android Halo: Google Unveils New Status Bar Interface.
Promotional Offers and Availability
Google is incentivizing early engagement for the August 12 event. Customers who sign up for marketing emails via the Google Store between July 15, 2026, and August 7, 2026, will receive an exclusive promotional offer. The offer is limited to U.S. residents aged 18 or older with a valid U.S. shipping address. The promotional code, which will be emailed on August 11, is valid only for the purchase of the advertised Pixel 11 devices and must be redeemed on the Google Store by August 27, 2026. Pre-orders for the entire Pixel 11 series are scheduled to open on August 12.
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