Although Pixel 11 is nearly coming, I’m more thrilled about what might be included. – If you are even slightly interested in smartphones, August means that new Pixels are on the horizon. On August 12, Google will host its next Made by Google event, and we anticipate another impressive lineup of phones this year. It is anticipated that the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold will hit the stage. Yes, that is the same lineup of four phones that Google offered us last year, but what’s changing below will undoubtedly be the interesting part. There should be much to discuss between the standard camera upgrades, new hardware, and whatever AI trickery Google has been developing.
And there might be more to the story than just the phones. This is one of Google’s major hardware events of the year, and it is anticipated that the company will make a few additional announcements. Here are the start time of the Made by Google event, how to watch it, and all the announcements we anticipate Google will make if you intend to watch.
Google’s Pixels are shining.
First up is the Pixel 11 series, which is likely why the majority of people will be watching. However, Google might not have many surprises left to offer at this time. If the numerous rumors that have been made about the phones over the past few months are true, anyone looking for a significant overhaul may wish to lower their expectations. Google seems to be adhering to the design esthetic it established with the Pixel 10 family, based on what we’ve seen thus far. I really enjoy the way Pixel looks right now, so that’s not necessarily a negative thing. However, it’s unlikely that the Pixel 11 series will be one of those improvements that you can spot right away from across the room. However, there is one addition that might set it apart.
Google has already hinted about a new light named HiLight or Pixel Glow that will be integrated into the camera bar. It might flash up while you’re talking with Gemini or waiting for the AI to finish thinking. It seems to take its appearance from Gemini’s rainbow-like visual language. However, I’m far more interested in what Google does with it outside of AI. Imagine messages, charging status, timers, and even incoming calls showing different colors. That small light may prove to be far more helpful for users if Google allows developers to access it.
The more significant changes ought to be taking place within. The Tensor G5 from the previous year is anticipated to be replaced by Google’s new Tensor G6 technology, which will power the Pixel 11 series. Although I’m not really concerned in raw performance, a faster processor is always helpful. I want to see how the G6 performs when you actually push the phone—taking pictures and videos, navigating on mobile data, switching between apps, or just using it outside on a hot afternoon—after using recent Pixels extensively.
I would place a lot more value on improved thermal management than on another impressive-looking test score. Both charging and battery longevity are very important to me. With the Galaxy Z Fold 8 series, Samsung has finally begun to embrace silicon-carbon battery technology and faster charging, so I’d love to see Google follow suit instead of being cautious for a future generation.
Even if a phone has every AI function imaginable, it won’t be very interesting when you’re looking for a charger in the middle of the day. And there’s the cost. The Pixel 11 Pro may start at $1,099 in the US and €1,199 in Europe, according to Android Headlines. If it is true, the US variant would cost $100 more than the $999 Pixel 10 Pro at launch. Dune, Light Fog, Midnight Haze, and Pine are the hues that have been reported, however those names don’t seem to have been decided upon yet. However, given that Google’s event is just a few days away, I wouldn’t take any pricing or branding leaks at face value. We won’t have to wait much longer to learn the true price of the Pixel 11 series and, more crucially, whether Google has accomplished enough this year to warrant paying extra for one.
At last, a Pixel for your keys
The announcement that excites me the most is the Pixel Tag, which comes next. Google has managed to avoid producing its own Bluetooth tracker for this long, but if the current leak discovered by 9to5Google is true, that might finally change at this year’s event. To be honest, it’s about time. While Pixel owners have mostly had to rely on third-party trackers, Apple has had AirTags for years, Samsung has its SmartTag lineup with a third-generation model supposedly on the way. That pretty obvious gap in Google’s hardware ecosystem might finally be filled by a true Pixel Tag.
The oblong-shaped tracker that was leaked is anticipated to function with Google’s Find Hub network, enabling Android devices in the vicinity to assist you in finding things you’ve misplaced in an anonymous manner. Ultra-Wideband, however, is the feature I sincerely hope gets included. When you’re near a misplaced item, that may provide the Pixel Tag with far more accurate directional locating, which would make looking for keys hidden around the house much less tedious.
But there is one design decision that seems a little funny. According to reports, the Pixel Tag will not feature an integrated lanyard hole, thus Google may adopt Apple’s strategy of requiring you to purchase an additional attachment if you need to fasten one to your backpack or keys. It appears that Samsung’s anticipated Galaxy SmartTag 3 will follow suit. Thus, it’s evident that Bluetooth trackers have come to the conclusion that holes are out of style. Nevertheless, the Pixel Tag might be one of the event’s tiniest but potentially most helpful announcements if Google gets the essentials right, especially UWB monitoring and close connection with Find Hub.
Google’s little circle grows more intelligent
Without a new Pixel Watch, which should be the Pixel Watch 5 this year, it wouldn’t truly seem like a Made by Google hardware event. Although Google doesn’t seem to be breaking the rules visually, the changes taking on beneath the surface could be far more intriguing. I’ll start by keeping an eye on battery life. It is anticipated that the Pixel Watch 5 would fit somewhat larger batteries into both sizes, which is always appreciated for a device that you are meant to wear all day, track your workouts, sleep in, and still have enough energy for the following morning. Additionally, a speedier version of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 CPU is reportedly being used, which should speed up and improve daily interactions.
Additionally, storage can see an unexpectedly significant increase. The Pixel Watch 5 is rumored to have twice as much storage as its predecessor. That may seem expensive for a watch, but when you take into account how much Google is depending on Gemini Intelligence, it starts to make more sense. That additional space may someday prove to be extremely helpful as Wear OS 7 pushes smartwatches to become more contextually aware and capable of performing things on your behalf.
Regarding the hardware itself, it is anticipated that the well-known 41mm and 45mm diameters, as well as the IP68 dust and water resistance and 5ATM certification, will remain. Google doesn’t seem to see much of a need to alter the circular Pixel Watch design if you already like it. Pricing might also stay the same. The larger 45mm model may start at $429, while the 41mm Pixel Watch 5 is anticipated to start at $399 with an additional $100 for LTE, according to GSMArena.
But hold on, Google might not be finished.
I would definitely place those announcements at the top of the list, although Google might still be planning a few surprises. Here’s when things start to get a little more intriguing. Google said earlier this year that it was developing a new line of laptops that would significantly improve compatibility between ChromeOS and Android. Although Google originally indicated an autumn debut, which puts us terribly near to that window, we haven’t heard much about the project since.
Although I don’t think Google will unveil a laptop on stage on August 12, a teaser, a name, or even a detailed look at what it has been developing wouldn’t seem out of place. The intriguing thing is that Chromebooks are not anticipated to be replaced by these so-called Googlebooks. Alternatively, they might be positioned above them as a more expensive choice, based on a single operating system and closer compatibility with Android phones.
Then there are smart glasses, since it seems that every tech company has decided that our faces are the next big computing platform after seeing Meta’s Ray-Bans. Google has been working gradually toward Android XR glasses, while Samsung has already hinted at its own plans. Because of this, the Made by Google stage is a really alluring location to flaunt them once again.
A new demo or perhaps a launch window would be sufficient to capture my interest, but I wouldn’t necessarily expect to be able to purchase a pair right once. And that’s what makes this incident so fascinating. Although we already know a fair amount about what the Pixel 11 family will provide, the biggest surprises might come from the features that Google hasn’t been releasing online for the previous few months.
How can I view Google’s showcase on August 12?
All of that sounds amazing, but there’s still one crucial aspect to consider: how do you actually watch Google make all of these announcements? This year, Google will release its announcements earlier in the day before hosting the Made by Google presentation later that evening. This is a slight change from previous years.
You may watch the entire event live on YouTube on August 12 at 3 PM PT. You can watch everything happen in real time, regardless of whether you’re here for the Pixel 11 series, eagerly awaiting the Pixel Tag like I am, or just wondering whether Google has a surprise in store for the very end. Additionally, it would be worthwhile to wait until the very final announcement given the potential amount of hardware on the table this year.
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