7 things we saw at the Pixel 11 launch from Googles new illuminated phones and to the Pixel Tag

Date:
Wed, 12 Aug 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Description:
The Google Pixel 11 series has landed and that's not all these are the biggest things we learned at Made by Google 2026.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Google has had a big day of launches not only did we get our first official look at the Pixel 11 series that have leaked extensively over the past few weeks, we also got a new wearable and even an AirTag rival.

Those leaks and rumors meant we already had a good idea of what to expect in advance, but that doesnt mean there weren't any surprises. To give you a full overview of this year's Made by Google 2026 event, weve picked out the seven biggest things that we learned about the Pixel 11 series, Pixel Watch 5 and Pixel Tag... Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: 1. The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL should be the best models yet and even have lights on the back The Google Pixel 11 Pro (Image credit: Future/Lance Ulanoff) Googles non-foldable flagships for 2026 are the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL, and they have numerous upgrades over their predecessors. But the most interesting element is arguably HiLight.

This is an array of LED lights built into the cameras flash module, which can alert you to calls from favorite contacts via customized color glows when
your phone is face down and silenced. And these lights will also pulse when Gemini is listening, thinking, or responding. You may like 5 things to expect from the Google Pixel 11 launch I tried the new Pixel 11 range, and Google's made improvements all over, with a surprising 'HiLight' Made by Google 2026: how to watch and what to expect

Beyond that, the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL also boast some camera and chipset improvements that weve detailed below, plus brighter screens that can reach 3,600 nits.

Not everything has been upgraded though in fact these phones have a starting RAM capacity of 12GB, while their predecessors came with 16GB as standard.
You can still get 16GB here, but youll have to pay for the privilege. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. 2. The cameras have received numerous upgrades, including a new Magic Capture mode The Google Pixel 11 Pro XL (Image credit: Future/Lance Ulanoff) At first glance the cameras on this years Pixels might look much the same as their predecessors, given that the megapixel counts havent changed. But look closer and there are plenty of upgrades.

For example, the Pixel 11s 48MP main camera now has a larger sensor for 56% more light sensitivity. The Pro models also gain some new sensors, plus a
120x digital zoom up from 100x on the Pixel 10 Pro series.

And there are new modes, like Magic Capture, which with a single tap will capture both a video and multiple images of a scene complete with automatic cropping and unblurring. What to read next 7 biggest Google Pixel 11 rumors rated by likelihood Google Pixel 11 series leaks on Amazon with new color options I test smartwatches for a job, and the Google Pixel Watch 5 beats Apple and Samsung in 5 key ways

Theres also a new Camera Looks feature, which allows you to create a set of personalized film styles and photo aesthetics. 3. The new Tensor G6 chipset
is faster and more efficient The Google Pixel 11 Pro (Image credit: Future/Lance Ulanoff) Its no surprise that the Pixel 11 series sports a new chipset, but the Tensor G6 sounds like quite an upgrade in some areas, with
up to 20% better power efficiency, 25% faster browsing, and 15% faster app loading, as well as boosting image processing and Gemini performance.

So these phones should be noticeably faster and more fluid than their predecessors, across a range of tasks. 4. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is brighter and thinner than its predecessor The Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold (Image credit: Lance Ulanoff / Future) Googles priciest new phone is the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, and this of course benefits from the Tensor G6 chipset and some of the camera upgrades detailed above, along with the new HiLight feature.

But it also has a peak brightness on its foldable screen of 3,600 nits up from 3,000 nits on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold , and its slimmer and lighter too, coming in at 10.1mm thick when folded, 5.0mm thick when unfolded, and 239g.

For comparison, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is 10.8mm thick when folded, 5.2mm thick when unfolded, and 258g. 5. The Pixel 11 got a storage boost The Google Pixel 11 (Image credit: Future/Lance Ulanoff) The Pixel 11 also has a Tensor G6 chipset, plus the camera upgrades highlighted further up, and on
top of that its received a storage boost, now starting at 256GB rather than the 128GB of its predecessor.

That said, the starting price has actually increased too, so youre paying the same as you would have for a 256GB model last year, theres just now no option of a cheaper 128GB version.

Many of the specs camera and chipset aside are also very similar to the Google Pixel 10 s, and you dont get Googles new HiLight feature with the
Pixel 11, so it will be interesting to see whether this tempts many buyers.
6. The Pixel Watch 5 is Googles most advanced health and fitness wearable yet The Google Pixel Watch 5 (Image credit: Google) This event wasnt just about phones we also saw the Pixel Watch 5, and this is very much focused on
health and fitness upgrades.

On the health side, that includes being able to track blood pressure patterns before they can put strain on your heart, and track insulin resistance over time. For fitness, Google claims this offers its most accurate GPS yet, and
it also sports a new Key Metrics view, which helps you analyze your performance after a workout.

And when youre sleeping, the Google Pixel Watch 5 has a Sleep Breathing Quality feature that analyzes minute-by-minute variations in your blood
oxygen levels. And of course all the core Pixel Watch 4 features have made a return too. 7. The Pixel Tag has landed as an AirTag rival (Image credit: Future) Google has also launched its first tracker, called simply the Pixel Tag. Theres not too much to say about this yet if youve used an AirTag, Samsung Galaxy Smart Tag, or anything along those lines you know basically what to expect.

But it comes in a Fog shade, has a built-in speaker, includes ultra-wideband for precision finding, has an IP67 rating (so its moderately water
resistant), and is powered by a replaceable coin cell battery that should
last over a year. Its also light, at just 11.8g. Today's best Google Pixel phone deals Contract Deals Sim Free voucher gift Google Pixel 10a 36 months Unlimited mins 30GB data 30 upfront 27.58 /mth View at EE See all prices voucher gift Google Pixel 10 Pro 36 months Unlimited mins 30GB data 30
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Pixel 10 Pro XL 48 months Unlimited mins 25GB data 30 upfront 34.39 /mth View at EE See all prices voucher gift Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold 48 months
Unlimited mins 125GB data 30 upfront 48.76 /mth View at EE See all prices We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices Follow
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/phones/google-pixel-phones/7-things-we-saw-at-the-pi xel-11-launch-from-googles-new-illuminated-phones-and-to-the-pixel-tag


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