Google Pixel 11: Every Rumour and Leak So Far

Google only just shipped the Pixel 10 series, but the rumour mill has already turned its attention to what comes next. Thanks to a significant internal leak from Google's gChips division — uncovered by the team at Android Authority — and a steady drip of tips from reliable insiders, we already know a surprising amount about the Pixel 11. None of this is confirmed by Google, and a lot can change between now and launch. But here is a detailed look at everything the leaks and rumours are pointing toward.

Release Date: August 2026

The Pixel 11 is widely expected to arrive in August 2026, continuing Google's recent shift away from its traditional October launch window. The Pixel 9 launched in August 2024, and the Pixel 10 followed in August 2025 — so a third consecutive summer event looks like a firm pattern. Most sources point to a mid-to-late August announcement, with devices going on sale roughly a week later. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold, as with the previous generation, is expected to arrive slightly later, potentially in October.

The timing appears deliberate: Google seems keen to get its flagship phones into shoppers' hands before Apple's iPhone typically lands in September, giving the Pixel a window to own the Android conversation heading into the back half of the year.

The Lineup: Four Phones, Bear-Themed Codenames

Internal documents have confirmed the codenames for the 2026 Pixel devices, and the naming convention this year has a distinctly outdoorsy theme. The standard Pixel 11 is codenamed 'cubs', the Pixel 11 Pro is 'grizzly', the Pixel 11 Pro XL is 'kodiak', and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold goes by 'yogi'. This lines up with earlier reporting suggesting Google will again offer four devices in the flagship family — the same structure as the Pixel 10 generation.

There has also been some speculation — triggered by the debuts of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and iPhone Air — that Google could introduce a super-slim model of its own. This remains firmly in the realm of wishful thinking for now, with no credible leak backing it up. For the moment, the four-model lineup looks like the plan.

Tensor G6: A 2nm Leap Forward

The headline spec rumour for the Pixel 11 is its processor. The Tensor G6 — codenamed 'Malibu' — is expected to be built on TSMC's 2nm process node, the same next-generation process rumoured for the Apple A19. If true, this would make the Pixel 11 one of the first Android flagships to launch with a 2nm chip, while much of the rest of the industry remains on 3nm fabrication. The jump should translate into both a meaningful performance boost and better power efficiency, two areas where previous Tensor generations have drawn criticism.

A Geekbench listing that surfaced in late February, believed to belong to the Pixel 11 Pro XL, offered an early and somewhat surprising glimpse at the G6's CPU configuration. Rather than the eight-core layout previously rumoured, the listing pointed to a seven-core setup: one prime core clocked at 4.11 GHz, four performance cores at 3.38 GHz, and two efficiency cores at 2.65 GHz. The listing also referenced 12 GB of RAM and a new PowerVR C-series GPU. Treat these figures with caution — early Geekbench leaks frequently reflect engineering samples rather than final production hardware — but the direction is encouraging.

Also new to the Tensor G6 is a rumoured Titan M3 security chip, upgrading from the Titan M2 found in current Pixel devices. The Titan chip handles encryption, payment security, and sensitive data protection at the hardware level. An upgrade here would reinforce Google's already strong on-device security credentials.

Goodbye Samsung Modem, Hello MediaTek

One of the most significant rumoured changes for the Pixel 11 is a switch in modem supplier. According to tipster Mystic Leaks, Google is testing the MediaTek M90 modem paired with the Tensor G6 — which would end the long-standing partnership with Samsung modems that has been in place since the very first Pixel phone. A modem switch was rumoured for the Pixel 10 but never materialised; this time, multiple sources suggest it may actually happen.

The MediaTek M90 is reported to support dual 5G SIM dual-active operation with dual data capabilities, and uses AI to optimise power consumption. The practical upside, if the rumours hold, would be better 5G performance, improved satellite connectivity, and a reduction in the heat and battery drain that have been recurring complaints about Tensor-powered Pixels.

Camera: AI Video, Ultra Low Light, and a Rumoured 100x Zoom

Google's gChips leak laid out several camera features expected to debut with the Pixel 11. The most notable is an upgraded Cinematic Blur mode that will support 4K 30fps video — a significant jump from current capabilities. A new Video Relight feature is also in the pipeline, which would allow users to adjust lighting in a video after it has already been recorded, applying computational lighting effects in post. This would be a genuinely new capability for the smartphone space.

Ultra Low Light Video is also expected to get a major upgrade. The feature currently exists on Pixel phones but relies on cloud processing to work. The Tensor G6's on-device AI capabilities are reportedly powerful enough to bring this processing entirely on-device, meaning results in under 10 lux lighting conditions without needing an internet connection — faster, more private, and more reliable.

For the Pro models, rumours have circulated about a 64 MP periscope telephoto lens capable of up to 10x optical zoom, and at least one report has floated the possibility of 100x zoom aided by the G6's machine learning capabilities. These are among the less well-sourced claims in the Pixel 11 rumour pool, so treat them accordingly — but the directional push toward better telephoto performance is consistent across multiple sources. The Pixel 10 already brought a 5x telephoto to the base model, so an improvement at the Pro tier would follow naturally.

Under-Display IR Camera: Secure Face Unlock Returns?

One of the more intriguing rumours is the possible return of a secure infrared face unlock system. The Google Pixel 4 was the last Pixel to feature a dedicated IR face unlock camera; since then, Google has relied on under-display optical fingerprint sensors. According to the gChips leak, the Pixel 11 may include a new under-display IR camera that would enable a more secure form of face authentication — the kind that works in the dark and cannot be spoofed by a photograph. Apple is reportedly working on similar under-display Face ID technology for future iPhones, which may be motivating Google to move on this front as well.

Always-On AI and Health Tracking

The Tensor G6's Nano-TPU is rumoured to enable a new class of always-on machine learning features that run continuously in the background without draining the battery. The primary application highlighted in leaks is health tracking — passive monitoring features that could rival those found on dedicated wearables. The specifics remain vague, but the implication is that the Pixel 11 could close the gap between smartphone and smartwatch health capabilities in a meaningful way.

Design: Evolution, Not Revolution

On design, the expectation is for refinement rather than a complete overhaul. In a Bloomberg interview, Google's Senior VP of Devices and Services, Rick Osterloh, indicated that Pixel design refreshes happen on a two-to-three year cycle — which may mean 2027 is the year for a more dramatic visual reset. For the Pixel 11, rumours point to the familiar camera bar staying put, flat sides, glass and aluminium construction, and some new colour options. One case manufacturer, Thinborne, accidentally published a case design for the Pixel 11 Pro XL early, which hinted at a slightly larger but lower-profile camera bump — potentially good news for anyone who finds current Pixel camera bars uncomfortable in a pocket.

Storage is also expected to see a quiet change: the 128 GB base storage option that has been standard on previous Pixel models may be retired, with 256 GB becoming the new floor. Apple made the same move with the iPhone 17 series, and Google would be following suit with the broader industry direction.

Price: Starting Around $799, With Possible Increases

No official or leaked pricing exists yet. The working assumption across most outlets is that the base Pixel 11 will start around $799 — in line with the Pixel 10. The Pixel 11 Pro is expected in the $999–$1,099 range, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold could command a premium of $1,699 or more. Given rising component costs and broader inflationary pressures on flagship pricing in 2026, a modest price increase is possible, particularly if the 256 GB base storage rumour proves accurate. Nothing is confirmed, and Google has historically been more price-competitive than Samsung or Apple at the flagship tier.

The Bigger Picture

The Pixel 11 rumour picture, taken as a whole, points to a meaningful generational step rather than a ground-up reinvention. The 2nm Tensor G6, MediaTek modem switch, on-device Ultra Low Light Video, and the possible return of secure face unlock are all substantive upgrades that address real weaknesses in the current lineup. For anyone on a Pixel 9 or older, the case for upgrading looks strong — assuming the rumours hold. Those on a Pixel 10 series phone may find the improvements less compelling.

With the expected August launch still several months away, the leak cadence is likely to accelerate significantly over the coming weeks and months. Expect renders, spec confirmations, and — eventually — an official reveal that will either validate or upend everything discussed here. We will be keeping this page updated as new information emerges.