Google Reveals Pixel 11 Pro Design Ahead of Launch as New ‘Pixel Glow’ Feature Steals the Show
Google has officially given the first look at its upcoming Pixel 11 Pro, confirming the design of its next flagship smartphone weeks ahead of launch. While the familiar horizontal camera bar remains intact, the biggest surprise is a new RGB lighting feature, dubbed “Pixel Glow,” built into the camera module. The teaser also leans heavily on Google’s AI ecosystem, showing how the Pixel 11 Pro is positioned to work seamlessly with services like Gmail, Google Maps, Search and Docs.
Pixel Glow Is the Biggest Visual Change
While the overall design stays faithful to previous Pixel phones, the addition of the RGB light gives the Pixel 11 Pro a distinct new identity. Google has not yet explained exactly how Pixel Glow will function, though the teaser hints it could be used for notifications, AI interactions, or camera-related cues. Leaked details from Android 17 beta code suggest it may work as a face-down notification LED, lighting up for calls from favourite contacts, hands-free interactions, and Gemini activity. The company continues to retain its now-iconic camera bar, reinforcing Pixel’s recognisable design language while layering in this new visual flourish.
Tensor G6, Better Cameras and More Storage Expected
Leaks suggest the Pixel 11 series will run on Google’s new Tensor G6 processor, reportedly the company’s first chip built on TSMC’s 2nm process. The lineup is also expected to drop the 128GB base storage option entirely, making 256GB the new standard across all models. Other rumoured upgrades include a MediaTek modem, a Titan M3 security chip, and a new PowerVR GPU. Camera improvements are also expected, with the standard Pixel 11 tipped to get a new 50MP main sensor, while the Pro models could see upgraded primary and telephoto cameras. Some leaks also suggest entry-level Pro configurations could see RAM drop from 16GB to 12GB, even as storage doubles.
Price Increase Confirmed
Google has already confirmed that the Pixel 11 series will cost more than its predecessor. Speaking to 9to5Google, Google’s Vice President of Devices and Services, Shakil Barkat, said a global memory shortage and rising component costs have forced the company to adjust pricing. He said Google had absorbed higher costs for as long as it could, but acknowledged that market conditions have “fundamentally shifted.”
According to Barkat, the price hikes stem from an unprecedented surge in RAM costs — the price of a single gigabyte of mobile DRAM has climbed nearly sixfold, from around $2.80 in 2025 to roughly $12 in 2026. Leaks suggest this could push the base Pixel 11 to around $899, roughly $100 more than the Pixel 10’s $799 launch price, with similar increases expected across the rest of the lineup.
While exact prices remain under wraps ahead of the official reveal, Google says buyers can still expect trade-in offers, promotional discounts, and bundled Google One subscriptions to help offset the higher cost. The Pixel 11 series is also expected to launch in several new colourways, with brighter finishes for the standard model and more understated tones for the Pro variants.
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The Pixel 11 series will be officially unveiled at Google’s “Made by Google” event on August 12.