Google Pixel 11 phones: Everything we know so far

Pixel 11: Design & Build

Given just how reluctant Google has been to massively overhaul the design of its smartphones, not since the camera bar turned into a visor for the Pixel 9 onwards, we aren’t expecting massive changes here. The latest rumours have largely confirmed this to be the case but there are a few smaller design tweaks to not only make the new Pixel phones look more svelte, but also improve their overall usability.

For the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, a handful of renders have appeared online showing a very similar build to the 10 Pro Fold, to the point where you might mistake one for the other at a passing glance. However, if you look closely then you’ll notice that the flash and microphone have been brought into the camera bump itself to create a uniform look.

While it’s unlikely that this move alone will result in any benefits to the camera chops of the 11 Pro Fold, it does look a lot cleaner from a design perspective.

OnLeaks x Android Headlines

What is more interesting are the renders showing the 11 Pro Fold on its side, seemingly indicating that the phone will only be 4.8mm thin when unfolded, and 10.1mm thick when closed up.

Admittedly, this is still a step behind the competition (the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Honor Magic V5 are just 4.2mm and 4.1mm thin when unfolded), but it’s a marked improvement on the 10 Pro Fold which felt a bit chunky in the hand.

Shifting gears to the Pixel 11 Pro XL, the initial concepts of what this phone might look like come not from a set of renders but rather case company Thinborne that has (accidentally?) unveiled its corresponding phone case a little ahead of schedule.

ThinBorne

While there’s only so much we can decipher from a case, the camera cut-out does hint at there being a slightly larger but stouter camera bump.

If true, this should stop the cameras from jutting out in your pocket, which feels like an ever-increasing problem in 2026 (you can spot the Honor Magic 8 Pro’s camera bump from a mile away in jeans). Whether this also translates into a change of sensors onboard for the Pixel 11 Pro XL remains to be seen.

Sources: Android Headlines | Thinborne

Pixel 11: Display

Google is likely to continue with high-resolution OLED displays in the Pixel 11 series, with improvements to brightness, colour accuracy, and refresh rate.

If Google doesn’t change the size of the displays relative to the Pixel 9 series, here’s what the screens in the Pixel 10 are:

• Pixel 10: 6.3-inch Actua OLED, 3000 nits
• Pixel 10 Pro: 6.3-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED, 3300 nits
• Pixel 10 Pro XL: 6.8-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED, 3300 nits
• Pixel 10 Pro Fold: 8-inch Super Actua Flex LTPO OLED, 3000 nits

Given current trends, the Pixel 11 series could go beyond the current cap of 120Hz refresh rates, providing smoother scrolling and more responsive interactions.

Anyron Copeman / Foundry

A recent report indicates that Pixel 11 will get better facial recognition, featuring possible enhancements to accommodate the under-display IR camera for secure face unlocking.

This feature would mark a return to a more secure form of face authentication, last seen in the Pixel 4, but without the need for a visible camera, preserving screen space and enhancing the overall aesthetic.

Source: Android Authority

Pixel 11: Performance

Just like clockwork, Google will be moving over to a new chipset for the Pixel 11 range with the Tensor G6. Although this will come as no surprise to anyone (a new Tensor chip has been a mainstay with each new generation for years), there are a few upgrades this time around that could have a huge impact on performance.

One of the first tidbits we came across was from before the Pixel 10 had even hit store shelves, with a report indicating that the new Tensor G6 would be made with a more efficient 2nm process, which could have huge implications for how well the CPU performs on a daily basis.

Given just how much Google has been pushing forward with on-device AI operations, a more efficient Tensor chip could also give Google greater scope for more complex AI-driven tasks in the future.

Given just how much Google has been pushing forward with on-device AI operations, a more efficient Tensor chip could also give Google greater scope for more complex AI-driven tasks in the future.

A more recent report now hints that, alongside the Tensor G6, Google will be moving away from a Samsung-branded modem (which has typically been the norm) to one produced by MediaTek. 

Luke Baker

The modem in question is the MediaTek M90, which packs a handful of noteworthy features, including support for sub-6 and mmWave 5G data, alongside satellite connectivity.

The ability to establish a satellite connection during emergencies is now a commonly expected feature on flagship phones after Apple kicked off the trend with Emergency SOS, so it makes sense that Google would want to leapfrog the competition here.

It’s also worth mentioning that MediaTek’s modem could be more energy efficient when paired with the Tensor G6, paving the way for better battery life. We won’t know for sure until we get our hands on the Pixel 11 phones for testing, but it is a nice thing to imagine – especially as some of the Pixel 10 models aren’t great in this area.

Sources: Android Authority | Mystic Leaks via Telegram | Dan Nystedt via X | Ctee

Pixel 11: Cameras

The camera setup on the Pixel 11 series is shaping up to be one of the most advanced seen on a flagship phone, with Google leveraging both hardware and AI to enhance photo and video quality.

One of the standout features expected in the Pixel 11 is a next-generation telephoto lens that supports up to 100x zoom. This impressive zoom capability, aided by machine learning algorithms in Google’s Tensor G6 processor, could aim to rival or even surpass similar features offered by competitors like Samsung.

The 100x zoom will allow users to capture remarkably detailed images and videos, even from a great distance, setting a new standard for smartphone zoom quality.

We now know some of the Pixel 10 phones can do 100x Super Res Zoom so the Pixel 11 should at least match this.

We also saw the regular Pixel 10 gain a telephoto lens, albeit not to the same quality of the Pro models. Again, a triple rear camera array could now be the standard for Pixel phones.

Chris Martin / Foundry

The Pixel 11 is also rumoured to include an upgraded Cinematic Blur mode, enhancing the immersive ‘bokeh’ effect in videos. This feature is expected to support 4K video at 30 frames per second, providing a cinema-like quality that elevates video storytelling.

In addition, a new ‘video relight’ option may be introduced, allowing users to adjust lighting conditions within a recorded video, simulating real-time lighting changes to add depth and drama to scenes. This feature is reportedly powered by the Cinematic Rendering Engine in the Tensor G6, which significantly reduces the power drain typically associated with blurred video recording.

Luke Baker

Another exciting addition is the Ultra Low Light Video mode, also referred to as Night Sight video, designed to improve video quality in dimly lit conditions.

Unlike previous Night Sight video modes, which required cloud processing, this feature will reportedly operate entirely on-device, thanks to the advanced image processing capabilities of the Tensor G6 chip.

Android Authority reports that Google has designed the Ultra Low Light Video mode to perform best in environments with ambient light levels between 5 and 10 lux, approximately the brightness of a dimly lit room or candlelight.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

By bringing this process fully on-device, the Pixel 11 series might offer its users the ability to capture brighter, cleaner low-light videos without requiring an internet connection.

According to a recent rumour, the front-facing camera of the Pixel 11 could be in for one heck of an upgrade, the kind that would bring a much desired iPhone feature into the mix. The rumour in question is related to something called ‘Project Toscana’ which Google is quietly working on behind the scenes to vastly improve facial recognition on both Android phones and Chromebooks.

Anyone who’s used a Pixel phone will know that while you can technically use facial recognition to unlock your device, the tech isn’t quite as powerful as Apple’s Face ID and so it’s nowhere near as secure as simply using the onboard fingerprint reader. Well, if word about Project Toscana rings true then it seems as though the Pixel 11 will have a far superior selfie camera that can do a depth scan of your face but within a single hole-punch cutout. This would give Google the upper hand as even though Apple moved away from having a notch in the iPhone 15 range onwards (with the iPhone 16e being the exception), it still uses a pill-shaped cut-out with its Dynamic Island.

It’s worth mentioning that the Pixel 11 won’t be the first Android phone with this kind of technology to hand, as the Honor Magic 8 Pro is one such device that’s capable of conducting a 3D scan of your face, but even that carries a pill-shaped footprint similar to Apple.

Sources: Android Authority (2)

Pixel 11: Battery & Charging

While battery specifications for the Pixel 11 series are yet to be revealed, there is one interesting tidbit that’s made its way into the rumour mill: the possibility of a removable cell.

Largely thanks to Apple and its insistence on a uniform chassis, pretty much all companies have ditched the concept of removable batteries, even though the feature was once a staple of mobile phones at large. According to a recent patent, however, it seems as though Google is thinking about resurfacing the concept, potentially for the Pixel 11 Fold.

US Patent

Given that Pixel’s foldable phones require a lot more power in order to keep their larger internal screens powered up, having a quickly swappable battery could be a lifesaver for intensive users. There’s no telling whether or not Google is considering the feature for other phones in the Pixel 11 range but it’s something we’d love to see, especially as it would make the phones a far more viable long-term option in the face of battery deterioration.

Google may also introduce faster charging speeds and improve battery life to meet the demands of the upgraded hardware and AI functionalities.

Google

Beyond these rumours, the larger hope is that Google may also introduce faster charging speeds and improve the overall battery life to meet the demands of the upgraded hardware and AI functionalities.

After all, the Pixel 10 series gained Qi2 magnetic wireless charging – like MagSafe – built-in, with the XL model getting 25W wireless speeds with Qi2.2.

Hopefully, all the Pixel 11 phones will get the faster Qi2.2 standard and the 45W wired speed of the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Sources: Hypertxt

Pixel 11: Software

The Pixel 11 series’ software experience is expected to be deeply integrated with Google’s latest advancements in AI, offering features that simplify and enhance everyday interactions with the device. Thanks to a report, we get to know some of them.

One of the anticipated software enhancements is the ‘Speak-to-Tweak’ feature, which allows users to make voice-based adjustments to their photos. By simply speaking commands, users can tweak image settings such as brightness, contrast, and saturation, making photo editing more intuitive and accessible.

Additionally, the Pixel 11 series may feature ‘Sketch-to-Image,’ a tool that converts rough sketches into detailed images, similar to Samsung’s Galaxy AI. This feature is likely to be particularly useful for creative users looking to generate artwork or visual content from simple sketches.

Another software innovation, tentatively titled ‘Magic Mirror,’ is rumoured to be in development, though specific details remain unclear. This feature may introduce new AI-based customisation options for photos or videos, potentially enhancing personalisation or beautification features within the device’s photo and video editing apps.

Luke Baker

The Pixel 11 series may also debut with an array of always-on health monitoring tools, thanks to the nanoTPU technology embedded within the Tensor G6 chip.

This suite of ML-based features could include sleep apnea detection, snoring and cough detection, and even fall detection, making the Pixel 11 a powerful device for health-conscious users.

The series may also include new fitness-oriented features like ‘Running ML,’ which provides real-time feedback for runners, including coachable pacing and balance analysis, helping users to optimise their training routines.

In addition to these advancements, the Pixel 11 may extend support for Google’s ‘Quick Phrases,’ a feature allowing users to perform certain actions without fully activating Google Assistant.

The potential for enhanced Quick Phrases could streamline everyday tasks, such as answering calls or controlling smart home devices, making the Pixel 11 series phones highly responsive devices that seamlessly integrate with users’ lives.

Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry

Overall, the Pixel 11 series is anticipated to deliver a suite of powerful features, with AI integration at the forefront.

Sources: Android Authority