Google launched the Pixel 11 lineup in New York on Wednesday, August 12, with 12GB of RAM in the base Pro configurations, down from 16GB on every Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL storage tier last year. Only the higher-storage Pro configurations retain last year's RAM level. Google is asking buyers to treat a more autonomous Gemini as the reason to upgrade.

What Changed

AI-generated summary, reviewed by an editor. More on our AI guidelines.

Higher prices, less memory

Every Pixel 11 now starts with 256GB of storage, double the lowest tier offered last year, after Google dropped the cheaper 128GB configurations. The Pixel 11 starts at $899 and the Pixel 11 Pro at $1,099. The cheapest Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro each cost $100 more than last year's cheapest configurations because Google dropped the 128GB tier, while the equivalent 256GB models are unchanged. The Pro XL and Pro Fold each rose $100 from last year's equivalent model.

Buyers must move to the 512GB or 1TB versions to retain 16GB. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold keeps 16GB at its $1,899 starting price, which is $100 higher than its predecessor.

Devices chief Rick Osterloh described the squeeze: "There's quite clearly a shortage of memory, both RAM memory and flash memory." Memory producers have shifted capacity toward chips for AI servers as consumer RAM and flash prices rose during 2026. "Everyone's needing to raise their prices," Osterloh said.

Gemini's multistep tasks

Google said Gemini could carry out multistep jobs across more than 40 apps. For users based in the United States, it can order groceries, book rides and call businesses for reservations or appointments. Users can interrupt or stop a task and review transcripts of calls made on their behalf.

"It's no longer an operating system that helps you use your phone," Osterloh told the launch audience. "It's an intelligence system that gets things done for you." Google is adding services including OpenTable in the United Kingdom, Ticketmaster and Zocdoc over the weeks following launch.

The fuller vision reaches beyond what the phones can do now. Sameer Samat, who leads Android, described an agent going through notes from a user's doctor's appointment, checking insurance coverage and booking an MRI. That scenario is not possible in Android today.

Buyers rank AI lower

Counterpoint Research's assessment placed AI sixth or seventh among consumers' stated reasons for buying a new smartphone. That was one or two places higher than in its previous surveys.

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Tarun Pathak, Counterpoint's research director, said better uses and greater consumer awareness would be needed. He expects Apple Intelligence to be a catalyst for iPhone replacements, and Apple already has more generative-AI-capable phones in use than any rival.

Osterloh added that AI does not rank first with phone buyers. Andrew Cornwall, a Forrester senior analyst, said Google's sales case continues to center on new software, primarily AI features.

Performance waits for testing

Google says the Tensor G6 delivers 25% faster web browsing and 15% quicker app launches than the Tensor G5 used in last year's Pixel 10 line. Those figures are the company's own, and it had not confirmed the chip's manufacturing process or core configuration.

Preorders opened, and the phones are due to ship August 20. Pro and Pro XL buyers receive six months of Google AI Pro, while Google's preorder gift-card offers end August 27.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much RAM does the Pixel 11 Pro have?

The base 256GB Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL carry 12GB of RAM. That is down from 16GB, which every Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL storage tier carried last year. To get 16GB on the Pixel 11 Pro line, buyers have to step up to the 512GB or 1TB configurations. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold keeps 16GB at its base configuration.

What do the Pixel 11 phones cost?

The Pixel 11 starts at $899, the Pixel 11 Pro at $1,099, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold at $1,899. Every model now starts with 256GB of storage after Google dropped the cheaper 128GB tier, so the cheapest Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro cost $100 more than last year's cheapest configurations while the equivalent 256GB models are unchanged. The Pro XL and Pro Fold each rose $100.

Why did Google cut the RAM?

Devices chief Rick Osterloh pointed to a shortage of both RAM and flash memory across the industry, saying everyone is needing to raise their prices. Memory producers have shifted capacity toward chips for AI servers, and consumer RAM and flash prices rose during 2026.

What can Gemini do on the Pixel 11?

Google said Gemini can carry out multistep jobs across more than 40 apps. For users based in the United States, it can order groceries, book rides, and call businesses for reservations or appointments. Users can interrupt or stop a task and review transcripts of calls made on their behalf. Connected services rolling out include OpenTable in the United Kingdom, Ticketmaster, and Zocdoc.

How fast is the Tensor G6?

Google says the Tensor G6 delivers 25% faster web browsing and 15% quicker app launches than the Tensor G5 used in last year's Pixel 10 line. Those figures are the company's own, and Google had not confirmed the chip's manufacturing process or core configuration.

When do the Pixel 11 phones ship?

The phones are due to ship on August 20 after preorders opened on August 12. Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL buyers receive six months of Google AI Pro, and Google's preorder gift-card offers end August 27.

AI-generated summary, reviewed by an editor. More on our AI guidelines.

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Editor-in-Chief and founder of Implicator.ai. Former ARD correspondent and senior broadcast journalist with 10+ years covering tech. Writes daily briefings on policy and market developments. Based in San Francisco. E-mail: editor@implicator.ai