Google hosted its annual Made by Google event on Wednesday evening, unveiling a wide range of new hardware. The centerpiece was the Pixel 11 smartphone lineup, which includes the base Pixel 11, the Pixel 11 Pro, the Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The company also introduced the Pixel Watch 5, the Pixel Tag, a new color for the Pixel Buds Pro 2, and a suite of software features designed to enhance the camera, health tracking, and overall user experience.
The event was livestreamed at 6PM ET / 3PM PT, and while many viewers tuned in live, the sheer volume of announcements can be overwhelming. Below, we break down the seven biggest reveals, covering everything from pricing and availability to key hardware upgrades and new software tools.
Pixel 11 arrives with fresh colors and a price bump
Google kicked things off with the standard Pixel 11. Visually, the design remains quite similar to the Pixel 10, but there are a few notable changes. The new phone arrives in four colors: frost, which has a lilac-like hue; hibiscus pink; pistachio green; and obsidian black. The most eye-catching shade is the vibrant hibiscus pink.
Under the hood, the Pixel 11 runs on Google's next-generation Tensor G6 chip. Google claims this processor delivers 25 percent faster web browsing and 15 percent faster app loading compared to the previous generation. Battery life is also said to exceed 30 hours on a single charge, and wireless charging speeds have improved by 25 percent over the Pixel 10.
The camera system has received a significant upgrade as well. The Pixel 11 features a 48MP wide lens, a 13MP ultrawide lens, and a 10.8MP 5x telephoto lens on the back, along with a 10.5MP selfie camera on the front. According to Google, the 48MP wide lens has 56 percent more light sensitivity than the Pixel 10's camera, while the telephoto lens supports up to 30x Super Zoom.
One of the more notable physical changes is the camera bump, which is now over 40 percent thinner than the Pixel 10's bump. This makes the phone feel more streamlined and less prone to rocking on flat surfaces. However, the Pixel 11 also comes with a $100 price bump. The starting price is now $899, but that base configuration includes 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM, up from the Pixel 10's 128GB base storage. The phone launches on August 20th.
Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL introduce HiLight LED
The Pixel 11 Pro and 11 Pro XL add a brand-new feature to the camera bar called HiLight. HiLight is a small LED indicator light that can be used to signal Gemini interactions, incoming calls from favorite contacts, and eventually, message notifications from frequent contacts. Google says the LED will gain more capabilities over time, but even at launch, it provides a subtle, useful way to glance at your phone and know what's happening.
Both Pro models feature an upgraded display that maxes out at a staggering 3,600 nits of peak brightness, making them exceptionally legible in bright sunlight. The Pro and Pro XL are powered by the same Tensor G6 chip as the base Pixel 11. In terms of cameras, the Pixel 11 Pro sports a new 48MP telephoto lens with up to 120x Pro Zoom, a new 50MP wide lens, a 48MP ultrawide lens, and a 42MP selfie camera. The telephoto setup is particularly impressive, allowing for extremely detailed long-distance shots.
Battery life on the Pro models is rated at over 30 hours, and Google claims they charge wirelessly 29 percent faster than the Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL. The Pixel 11 Pro starts at $1,099 with 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM, while the Pro XL starts at $1,299 with the same specs. If you opt for the 512GB or 1TB storage options, you'll also get 16GB of RAM. The Pro and Pro XL are available in four colors: canyon, fog, olive, and matte obsidian.
Pixel 11 Pro Fold gets durability upgrades
Google also refreshed its foldable phone, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The new model features the thinnest bezels ever on a Fold, according to Google, and the company claims it's three times as durable as the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. This durability improvement comes from an IP68 water and dust resistance rating and a back material that Google says is designed to be nearly impossible to crack. That's a significant upgrade for foldable phones, which typically have more fragile builds.
The Fold's displays are now 20 percent brighter than last year's model, with the inner display reaching the same 3,600 nits peak brightness as the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL. It also runs on the Tensor G6 chip and offers up to 24 hours of battery life. The camera setup includes a new 48MP wide lens, a 10.5MP ultrawide lens, and a 10.8MP telephoto lens with up to 30x Super Zoom.
However, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold also received a $100 price hike. It now starts at $1,899 for a base configuration with 256GB of storage and 16GB of RAM. It comes in two colors: olive and black. This puts it in direct competition with other premium foldables, but the durability upgrades and display quality could make it a compelling option.
New camera and creator features for Pixel phones
Beyond the hardware, Google is introducing a number of new camera and video features across its Pixel 11 lineup. One of the standout additions is Magic Capture, a new capture mode in the Camera app that can pull photos and clips directly out of video recordings. This is a handy tool for quickly grabbing a still frame or short clip without having to manually edit the video.
There are also Camera Looks, which are customizable, stylized photo presets that change how the phone processes the photo rather than simply applying a filter. Available looks include Minimal, Editorial, and “Digi,” the latter of which mimics the look of digital cameras from the early 2000s. This gives users more creative control over their images before they even snap the shot.
For videographers, the Pixel 11 Pro comes with a new Pro Stable Video feature that Google says can record at up to 8K resolution. This should be particularly appealing to content creators who want professional-quality stabilization and high-resolution footage from a smartphone. Additionally, a new Creator tab in the Camera app includes a “Creator Suite” with tools for trimming and reordering videos, an onscreen teleprompter, and improved Speech Enhancement for clearer audio recording. These tools collectively make the Pixel 11 series a more versatile device for both casual users and professionals.
Pixel Watch 5 adds a suite of health features
The Pixel Watch 5 may look identical to the Pixel Watch 4, but it brings a host of new software-driven health capabilities. The most prominent is Breathing Emergency Detection, a follow-up to last year's Loss of Pulse feature. When the watch detects a significant, sustained drop in blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), it can automatically trigger an emergency call. This feature is designed to provide peace of mind for people with respiratory conditions or those who are at risk for breathing-related emergencies.
The watch can also track sleep breathing quality throughout the night and compile monthly reports, giving users a clearer picture of their sleep patterns. Starting in September, Google will introduce Blood Pressure Trends and Insulin Resistance Trends, making the Pixel Watch 5 a more comprehensive health-tracking device. These additions will enable users to monitor key metabolic health metrics directly from their wrist.
In terms of fitness, the Pixel Watch 5 includes new workout features like AI-generated strength training plans and the ability to track reps directly from the watch screen. Google claims that it offers the most accurate GPS route tracking for exercise, outperforming the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Garmin Fenix 8 Pro. While that's a bold claim, the improved health and fitness suite certainly positions the Pixel Watch 5 as a serious contender in the premium smartwatch market.
Unfortunately, the price has gone up by $50 this year, bringing the starting price to $399. The watch is available in two sizes, 45mm and 41mm, and four colors: black, white, olive green, and pink. There's also a special Steph Curry edition that costs $579 and launches a bit later, on September 3rd.
Google launches its own AirTag rival: the Pixel Tag
Google is finally entering the item tracker space with the Pixel Tag, a direct competitor to Apple's AirTag. The Pixel Tag is oblong rather than round, measuring 1.1 inches by 1.8 inches (the AirTag is 1.26 inches across). It's IP67 water and dust resistant, and Google says its replaceable CR2032 coin cell battery lasts over a year. This makes it a viable alternative for Android users who want to keep track of their keys, bags, or other belongings.
The Pixel Tag launches on November 11th and will cost $29 individually, or $99 for a pack of four. That's the same price as Apple's AirTag, putting them in direct competition. Unlike AirTag, which relies on Apple's Find My network, the Pixel Tag is expected to leverage Google's Find My Device network, which has been expanding rapidly. This marks a significant expansion of Google's ecosystem and gives Android users a first-party option for item tracking.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 gain improved ANC and a new color
Finally, Google announced that the two-year-old Pixel Buds Pro 2 will be getting a new olive green color that matches the olive Pixel 11 Pro and Pro Fold. The new colorway launches on August 12th, the same day as the Made by Google event, so it's available right now for anyone who wants to pair their earbuds with their new phone.
In addition, Google is rolling out a firmware update for the Pixel Buds Pro 2 in September that's designed to improve the earbuds' active noise cancellation (ANC). This update should enhance the listening experience by reducing more ambient noise, particularly in busy environments. For a product that's already been on the market for two years, this continued support is a nice touch that underscores Google's commitment to keeping its hardware up to date.
Source:The Verge News