Google will host its annual Made by Google hardware launch on Wednesday at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT). The evening slot is unusual for a tech reveal, and comedian Trevor Noah will serve as the event’s celebrity host. A pre‑order countdown for the Pixel 11 on the Google Store ends at 10 a.m. ET, hours before the live presentation, suggesting that many product details may be disclosed in advance.
Pixel 11 Smartphone Family
The company is expected to introduce four new phones: the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Leaked images indicate a design that largely mirrors the Pixel 10 series, with a uniform black camera bar. A distinctive rainbow‑glow on the bar, shown on the Pixel 11 Pro, has been identified in code as “HiLight.” The feature appears customizable by color and may illuminate when users interact with Google’s Gemini AI.
Inside, the devices are rumored to run on a new Tensor G6 processor built on TSMC’s 2 nm process. If confirmed, the Pixel 11 line would be the first smartphones to ship with a 2 nm chip, potentially edging out Apple’s upcoming 2 nm‑based chips for its next Pro models. Storage for the base Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro is expected to start at 256 GB, up from the 128 GB baseline of the Pixel 10 series. Early listings suggest the Pixel 11 Pro will carry 12 GB of RAM, a reduction from the 16 GB found in the Pixel 10 Pro. A Google vice‑president has hinted at “pricing adjustments” for the lineup, citing a broader memory‑supply crunch.
Pixel Watch 5
Google’s smartwatch effort moves forward with the Pixel Watch 5, confirmed after a May post by Borderlands creator Randy Pitchford showed a friend retrieving the device underwater. Leaked renders depict the watch in black, polished silver, yellow gold and a brass‑tone finish, while retaining the overall silhouette of the Pixel Watch 4.
Two case sizes are expected: 41 mm and 45 mm, with battery estimates of 30 and 40 hours respectively, matching the previous generation. Storage will double to 64 GB from 32 GB. Marketing materials highlight Gemini Intelligence as a “personal, proactive assistant,” offering “Proactive Suggestions” that generate context‑aware replies and delivering what Google calls its most accurate sleep tracking to date. Pricing is projected to rise, with the 41 mm Wi‑Fi model starting at $399 and the 45 mm model at $429, up from $349.99 and $399.99 for the Pixel Watch 4.
Other Expected Announcements
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are likely to return in a new olive‑green color that matches the Pixel 11 aesthetic. Leaked marketing images show the same hardware design as the 2024 release, and the earbuds have already appeared on a Google Play rewards page under the same name.
Google may also debut a brand‑new item tracker dubbed Pixel Tag, an oval‑shaped competitor to Apple’s AirTag. An image obtained by 9to5Google suggests integration with Google’s Find Hub network (formerly Find My Device). No specifications or pricing details have surfaced.
Leaks for Googlebook laptops and smart‑glass projects exist, but Google has indicated those products are slated for a fall release, not the current event.
Overall, the Wednesday launch promises a mix of incremental upgrades—most notably a new Tensor chip and higher storage—and a few fresh categories, such as the Pixel Tag tracker, while price points appear set to rise across the board.
Helene Elliott is the senior reporter for News Raise. She covers Science news. She also has a keen interest in photojournalism. Helene holds a nomination for the prestigious Red Smith Award. She is married to author Dennis D’Agostino, a former publicist with the New York Mets.
