Google Pixel 11 Pre-Orders Open Amidst Galaxy Z8 and S26 Price Drops

Google has officially opened pre-orders for its latest Pixel 11 smartphone series, which includes standard, Pro, and foldable variants. The new lineup, set for release on August 20, 2026, arrives amidst a flurry of discounted offerings from competitors, notably Samsung's Galaxy Z8 foldables and S26 models. This year's Pixel 11 iteration introduces 256GB of internal storage as the baseline across all models, a move designed to address increasing RAM prices and offer more value to consumers. The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL models now start with 12GB of RAM, with configurations up to 16GB available on higher-tier storage options, while the standard Pixel 11 features 12GB. The foldable model is equipped with 16GB of RAM. Amazon is currently running a trade-in promotion, offering enhanced value for older devices exchanged during the pre-order period.

Under the hood, the vanilla Google Pixel 11 is powered by the Tensor G6 chipset, shared with its more premium siblings. While it omits the HiLight RGB LED notification light found on the Pro models, it boasts an upgraded main camera sensor – a 48MP 1/1.56” unit compared to the 1/2.0” sensor on the Pixel 10. Other camera specifications, including the 5x telephoto and ultra-wide lenses, remain consistent. The device also sees an upgrade in wireless charging speeds to 25W, though wired charging remains at 30W. Google is relying on the efficiency of the Tensor G6 to improve battery life, with the battery capacity unchanged from the previous generation.

Expanded Pro Features and Foldable Refinements

The Google Pixel 11 Pro distinguishes itself with the inclusion of the HiLight RGB LED, which doubles as a notification indicator and integrates with Gemini AI features. It features a 6.3-inch OLED display with a sharper 1280p+ resolution and LTPO technology, mirroring the size of the standard model. Camera enhancements on the Pro include a 50MP main sensor (1/1.3” sensor size) and a 48MP ultra-wide with autofocus. The telephoto camera has also been refined, now sporting a 48MP 1/1.95” sensor with a 5x/106mm lens. The Pixel 11 Pro XL, the largest in the series, sports a 6.8-inch LTPO display and a 5,115mAh battery. This year's XL model supports faster 45W wired charging, reaching 75% capacity in approximately 30 minutes, alongside 25W wireless charging.

For the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Google has focused on reducing its physical footprint. The new foldable is slimmer at 10.1mm when closed and lighter at 239g, representing a notable improvement over the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. However, this slimming down has led to a slight reduction in battery capacity to 4,806mAh. It now features the standard Pixel 11's 48MP main camera and supports 25W wireless charging. Competitively, Samsung's new Galaxy Z Fold8 series, including the Ultra variant, offers a sleeker design and larger batteries, with the Ultra model measuring 8.9mm folded and weighing 215g. The Z Fold8 Ultra boasts a more extensive camera system, including a 200MP main sensor.

The pricing landscape has also shifted dramatically, particularly for Samsung's existing lineup. The Galaxy S26 series, which has been available for several months, is now subject to substantial discounts. The Galaxy S26 Ultra has seen a €500 price cut, bringing its starting price below €1,000 for the base configuration. Even a 1TB variant with 16GB RAM is priced competitively against the Pixel 11 Pro XL. Similarly, the standard Galaxy S26 is now available for under €800. These price adjustments make Samsung's offerings more accessible as Google introduces its latest Pixel devices.

The Google Pixel Watch 5 retains its predecessor's design and chipset but doubles its onboard storage to 64GB, while incorporating Gemini Intelligence and enhanced health tracking. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 gain an Olive color option and software updates for Active Noise Cancellation and Live Translate, features also being rolled out to existing Pro 2 models. Meanwhile, the discounted Pixel 10a, featuring a Tensor G4 chip and 8GB RAM, remains a budget-friendly option with a €200 discount on the 256GB model.