Not as Expensive as It Appears
It’s the information that many of us feared. The Pixel 11 is poised to become significantly pricier.
A recent report indicates that Google will increase prices for all four models in the Pixel 11 series: the standard, Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold.
The French website Dealabs (known for accurate Pixel information) claims that the base Pixel 11 will now commence at £879/€999 – an increase of £80/€100 compared to the Pixel 10. On the other hand, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is expected to cost at least £1,799/€1,999. That stings.
Nevertheless, if this information is correct, Google’s price increases are not nearly as severe as they might seem. Allow me to clarify.
A Real-Terms Price Reduction
The initial figures seem alarming, but there’s a straightforward explanation: Google has reportedly eliminated the 128GB variants.
This means both the standard Pixel 11 and 11 Pro will likely begin with 256GB of storage, aligning with the Pixel 11 Pro XL and 11 Pro Fold.
Chris Martin / Foundry
The cost of the 256GB Pixel 10 was £899/€999 at its launch. Thus, the Pixel 11 is actually £20 cheaper in the UK for equivalent storage, and the same price in the EU.
The situation is similar for the Pixel 11 Pro. Its starting price of £1,079/€1,199 is also £20 less in the UK and unchanged in Europe. Not so terrible, right?
In summary, this is a clever reaction to the ongoing ‘RAMaggedon’
Certainly, it would be preferable if Google did not implement any price increases, and 128GB is sufficient storage for most users. Additionally, the Pixel 11 Pro XL (from £1,279/€1,399) and Pixel 11 Pro Fold (from £1,799/€1,999) are pricier than their predecessors with the same storage – specifically £80/€100 and £50/€100 more.
However, in general, this is a wise adaptation to the current ‘RAMaggedon’, as the high demand from AI data centers has led to soaring costs for the RAM that smartphones depend on. Making significant upgrades without raising prices is not feasible unless companies are willing to take a substantial hit to their profits.
Expected Release Date?
Google has established a regular launch schedule in August for its flagship devices, and the Pixel 11 series is unlikely to deviate from this pattern.
What we were missing was a more precise release date – until now. Dealabs hints that the new devices will commence shipping on 20 August. That marks eight days ahead of the Pixel 10 in 2025. The site is less confident about the launch date, but 11 August is suggested.
We hope to see all four models in August, and that the Pixel 11 Pro Fold won’t be delayed to later in the year like its predecessor.
Regarding upgrades, the Pixel 11 series is anticipated to feature Google’s new Tensor G6 chipset and updated main rear cameras across the board. ‘Pixel Glow’ RGB lights are also expected to debut on some models, probably around the camera bar’s edge.
Google Gemini / Chris Martin
Dealabs has also disclosed the color options, including new ‘Moss’ and ‘Pine’ green shades available on some models.
Discover more about the upcoming devices in our detailed Pixel 11 series guide.
Summary: Considering the Larger Perspective
Well, everyone, it’s not entirely bleak with the Pixel 11 pricing. Yes, they have increased, but we’re actually receiving more value for the same price with the storage. Google is playing a clever strategy here by phasing out the older 128GB models, effectively saving us 20 pounds on the more expensive 256GB version. Stay tuned for those RGB lights and the attractive new colors – ‘Moss’ and ‘Pine’ may sound like hues suited for an upscale bathroom, but they’re sure to look fantastic on a smartphone. Keep an eye on the release in August, and let’s see if the Pixel 11 meets the expectations or if it’s all just an illusion.
