Google to unveil Pixel 11 lineup and Tensor G6 chip at August hardware event
The Verge reports that the event, hosted by Trevor Noah, will mark the debut of the first 2nm smartphone chip and signal price adjustments across the hardware portfolio.
Google is scheduled to host its annual Made by Google hardware launch event on Wednesday, 12 August 2026, at 6PM ET. According to reporting by The Verge, the event will be hosted by comedian Trevor Noah and will serve as the primary unveiling for the new Pixel 11 smartphone lineup. The company has already teased the devices, with a preorder countdown on the Google Store homepage set to conclude at 10AM ET, several hours before the formal broadcast begins.
The core of the announcement is expected to be the Pixel 11 series, comprising the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. These devices will be powered by the new Tensor G6 chip, which is rumoured to utilise TSMC’s 2nm process. If confirmed, the Pixel 11 series would become the first smartphones on the market to feature this manufacturing node, potentially preceding Apple’s upcoming Pro devices. The hardware is anticipated to retain a design similar to the Pixel 10 lineup but will feature a distinctive "HiLight" feature on the camera bar, which code suggests can be customised to indicate incoming calls or interactions with Google’s Gemini AI.
Significant changes are also expected in specifications and pricing. Leaks indicate the base Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro may start with 256GB of storage, up from the previous 128GB floor. However, the Pixel 11 Pro is reportedly downgrading to 12GB of RAM from the 16GB found in the Pixel 10 Pro. A Google vice-president previously told 9to5Google that the Pixel family would undergo pricing adjustments due to a memory crisis, suggesting higher starting prices across the board.
Beyond smartphones, the event is expected to introduce the Pixel Watch 5. Marketing materials suggest the watch will feature Gemini Intelligence as a "personal, proactive assistant" with context-aware reply suggestions and improved sleep tracking. The device is said to come in 41mm and 45mm sizes with 64GB of storage, double the capacity of its predecessor. Pricing leaks indicate the 41mm Wi-Fi model may start at $399, while the 45mm version could begin at $429, representing a price increase over the Pixel Watch 4.
Other anticipated announcements include a new olive green colour variant of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 and a new item tracker branded as Pixel Tag. The tracker is described as oval-shaped and expected to integrate with Android’s Find Hub network. While leaks have also surfaced regarding new Googlebook laptops and smart glasses, The Verge notes these are likely to be delayed until the fall, leaving the August event focused on the immediate rollout of the Pixel 11 ecosystem.
