Google Pixel 11 Series Set to Launch This Week With New Tensor G6 Chip HiLite Camera Light and Pixel Watch 5

Google is set to unveil the Pixel 11 series, Pixel Watch 5 and potentially Pixel Tag at its August 12 Made by Google event. Here’s everything expected from the event.

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Google is set to announce one of its biggest hardware devices of the year. The tech giant is set to launch the new Pixel 11 lineup at its Made by Google event in New York that will take place on August 12, launching the next iteration of Pixel phones shortly after Samsung launches its own lineup of premium foldable devices.

According to reports, the Pixel 11 lineup is expected to have four different smartphone models, including the regular Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Google's foldable phone, Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Though the latest iteration of Pixel 11 devices is not expected to bring any drastic changes, leaked hardware and software specifications of the upcoming devices suggest otherwise.

One of the major innovations might come in the form of a new Tensor G6 processor, improved camera, increased storage capacity, and a revamped camera bar with a new LED lighting system dubbed HiLite. Google can also increase the prices of certain models, including the base model of Pixel 11 for 256 GB priced at $899.

However, smartphones may not be the only product to get all the attention. In addition to the launch of the Pixel Watch 5, Google might unveil a new Pixel Tag Bluetooth tracker as a response to Apple's popular AirTag. It is possible that Google can reveal something about the future generation of Android XR smart glasses, as well as the new Googlebook laptop platform.

How to Watch the Google Made by Google Event

Google’s “Made by Google” event has been scheduled for the 12th of August at 3 p.m. PT/6 p.m. ET. While Apple follows the tradition of holding its iPhone launch events in a specific format, Google’s events have mostly focused on product announcements and demonstrations, and sometimes information about the products and announcements become available even before the livestream begins.

It will be live streamed on YouTube so that fans and tech enthusiasts all over the world can keep track of what Google announces.

For people in India, however, the event will take place in the wee hours of 13th August due to the time difference. Thus, this Made by Google event holds special interest for people who are eagerly awaiting Google’s new smartphones, smartwatch, and hardware devices.

Google Pixel 11 Series

The Pixel 11 series seems to be set to offer a more evolutionary improvement from the Pixel 10 series rather than a revolutionary design change. The Pixel line of smartphones seems to be getting an improvement in areas that matter to its users, like processing power, photographic quality, artificial intelligence functionality, battery life, and storage capacity.

The major internal improvement is the Google Tensor G6 chipset. Whereas the Tensor line of processors from Google has always been built more for their AI capabilities, the new chipset is likely to provide better performance and power efficiency in addition to the growing ecosystem of Gemini.

The new Pixel smartphone is likely to retain the 6.3-inch OLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate. According to the leaked spec, the smartphone will feature a 4,985mAh battery and a 13MP front camera. This information seems to show that the upcoming generation is not likely to have any drastic hardware changes.

Pixel 11 Could Finally Drop the 128GB Storage Option

Some of the most notable changes can be seen in how Google approaches internal storage capacity. Leaked pricing details indicate that the new Google Pixel 11 may not come with the regular storage capacity of 128GB.

Rather, the device will start at 256GB capacity and will cost $899 in the US. If the details are correct, then this will definitely mean a change in how Google is approaching the pricing of the Pixel smartphones, and the Pixel 11 will cost quite a bit more than its predecessors.

Starting at 256GB can certainly be a good move for those who shoot high resolution photographs or videos and use cloud-connected AI technologies, but the increased price tag can deter many people looking for an affordable flagship smartphone.

Pixel 11 Camera Bar Could Get a New HiLite LED Feature

However, among the many design tweaks that are expected to take place with the Pixel 11, one that may not come from the screen, frame or even camera sensors is rather unique. It seems that Google wants to introduce something new on the camera bar of Pixel 11 which is a lighting feature.

As per the teaser from Google via its Pixel Store website, it seems that this feature is being referred to as 'HiLite' and it has been linked to the visual experience associated with the Gemini AI of Google in the Pixel 11.

Therefore, according to reports, the lighting LED might light up when the Gemini is processing something and it will feature colors which would change depending upon the notification or charging etc. This would make the Pixel 11 distinct in terms of design due to the introduction of an entirely new feature.

While Google would not be the first to play around with notification lights, it is worth mentioning here that OnePlus and others had experimented with edge lighting and notification lights. However, in this case, it seems that Google's approach is more connected to its Gemini.

Pixel 11 Pro Fold

Topping the line-up will be the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, which is expected to keep up with Google's strategy of creating foldables by offering better hardware and more powerful models.

According to the leaked configuration, the device may feature 16GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage with the price likely to exceed the $2,000 mark. In other words, this will make the Pixel 11 Pro Fold one of the most premium devices that will compete directly with some of the most expensive foldable smartphones out there.

Among the leaked specs of the new smartphone there is a 6.5-inch OLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate and a 4,750mAh battery. It is worth noting that, despite the leak, Google's upcoming smartphone does not seem to feature Wi-Fi 7 support.

Pro Fold will probably be one of the most significant devices of the event as Google will have to show off its superiority in the increasingly crowded market of foldable smartphones. With Samsung trying to prove the quality of its Galaxy Z Fold devices, Google will definitely try to prove the advantage of Pixel's software, Gemini AI and its foldable smartphone's hardware.

Pixel Watch 5

The new Google Pixel Watch 5 may be launched together with Pixel 11 phones. The new generation of smartwatches will get many updates on hardware and software levels to ensure better performance and enhanced battery life.

For example, the battery of the upcoming smartwatch is said to be bigger than that of Pixel Watch 4. Moreover, Google may use an improved version of Qualcomm Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 system for the smartwatch.

The storage capacity of Pixel Watch 5 may also get significantly increased, as the reports claim the smartwatch will have double the storage compared to Pixel Watch 4. This is because the storage becomes more needed with each new update of Gemini and Wear OS.

With Wear OS 7, Google is trying to make its smartwatch operating system smarter and more agentic. Thus, Pixel Watch 5 can become one of the key devices of Google's AI system rather than being just a secondary one for notifications, fitness tracker and apps.

Pixel Watch 5 Could Introduce Loss of Pulse Detection

Health and safety features can be another key aspect that helps to sell Pixel Watch 5 as well.

According to reports, Google is working on a Loss of Pulse Detection feature, which is capable of determining when the heart of a person stops beating and triggering the emergency response procedure. Although more information should be provided by Google about the exact details and the availability of the mentioned feature, it is worth saying that it can help to enhance the reputation of Pixel Watch 5 as the health-oriented wearable product.

It should be noted that Google promotes Pixel Watch 5 as the most comprehensive wellness tracking experience ever, which means that the company can focus not only on the growing number of AI-oriented functions but also on health monitoring.

According to the available leaks, the starting price of the 41 mm Pixel Watch 5 is expected to be around $399 with an additional $100 for LTE connectivity option. The price of the 45 mm model may start from approximately $429.

IP68 and 5ATM protection ratings of the watch mean that it will be resistant to water and dust.

Google Pixel Tag Could Take on Apple's AirTag

Another possible important product launch is the announcement of the Google Pixel Tag.

There have been many chances for Google to develop its own first-party Bluetooth tracker as the Find Hub network for Android keeps growing. From recent leaks, it looks like the Pixel Tag can become Google's response to Apple's AirTag.

The allegedly oblong tracker would work in conjunction with Google's Find Hub network, helping users to locate their bags, keys, luggage, and other valuables.

One of the key questions will be related to the inclusion of Ultra-Wideband support in the Pixel Tag. Apple's AirTag greatly benefited from precise finding features and with UWB, the Pixel Tag would be able to provide much more precise location data when locating the nearby item.

With the launch of the Pixel Tag in conjunction with Android and Find Hub, the company can make another significant hardware move.

Google Could Also Tease Its New Googlebook Laptop Platform

Google could announce even more hardware besides smartphones and wearables.

Previously, Google has mentioned that it had been planning a new generation of laptop platforms which would integrate ChromeOS and Android into one single Googlebook experience. It looks like Google has indicated that the new laptops should appear later in the year, thus, it makes the Made by Google event another occasion to make some teases about its appearance.

The new Googlebook range would most probably not substitute traditional Chromebooks but rather add premium laptops into the laptop hardware ecosystem of Google with an emphasis on Android compatibility.

In case Google gives more details about the platform during its event, then it will be a chance to get a glimpse into how Google is going to integrate its hardware ecosystem further.

Android XR Smart Glasses

Smart glasses may become another surprise topic at the Made by Google event.

For more than a decade, Google has been associated with smart glasses through its Google Glass project. At present, the company uses artificial intelligence and its ecosystem, known as Gemini, in its projects.

Google has showcased its next-generation XR glasses in 2025 with the help of concepts related to Gemini, cameras, microphones, and in-lens displays. Since that moment, the company has not been saying much about the technology.

Given that Samsung has its Galaxy-branded smart glasses to showcase, Google can use this event to announce its Android XR glasses or to give more details about the platform.

The announcement of smart glasses by Google would fit into its wider plan to integrate Gemini into as many devices as possible. Instead of using smartphones for interaction with AI, users can get a more natural interface through smart glasses.

What to Expect From Google's Biggest Hardware Event

Google’s Pixel 11 series is obviously going to be the center of attention at the upcoming Made by Google, and the rest of the offerings might just make it one of the most significant events for Google hardware products in a while.

The regular Pixel 11 is set to come with the Tensor G6 SoC, a 120Hz OLED screen, almost 5,000mAh battery, and 256GB of storage. The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL will likely take it up a notch, while the Pixel 11 Pro Fold will aim for those looking for a premium product from Google.

The Pixel Watch 5 is supposed to offer an improved battery, better performance, more storage, and even new health features. And lastly, the Pixel Tag will offer a native alternative to the AirTag for Android users.

Apart from these products, Google can even hint at their next generation of Googlebook laptops and Android XR glasses to help viewers understand how Gemini could become the connective tissue of the whole hardware ecosystem.

Considering that Samsung’s latest foldables have already set the standards for premium Android hardware, Google can use the opportunity to show that its edge does not lie in the technicalities alone. The story could very well revolve around how thoroughly Google has integrated Gemini into its Android, Wear OS, Find Hub, and the overall hardware ecosystem.

All eyes will be on New York on August 12 to know whether any of the above leaks would find mention in the official release and what other surprises have been left for the reveal.