Google will unveil its next generation of Pixel hardware on Wednesday, August 12, at the annual Made by Google event in New York City. The keynote is scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m. ET / 3:00 p.m. PT, with comedian Trevor Noah set to host and appearances expected from athletes including NBA star Stephen Curry and track-and-field competitor Chari Hawkins.
In an unusual move, Google will open pre-orders for the new devices hours before the formal presentation. A countdown timer on the Google Store is set to expire at 10:00 a.m. ET on August 12, suggesting that pricing and availability details will be publicly visible well ahead of the evening keynote.
The company has already released official teasers confirming that the Pixel 11 series, a new Pixel Watch, and the previously rumored Pixel Tag tracker will be part of the announcement. Based on leaks, regulatory filings, and Google’s own marketing materials, the event will focus on iterative hardware refinements, deeper Gemini AI integration, and higher prices across the lineup.
News Summary
- Google will hold its Made by Google event on August 12 at 6:00 p.m. ET in New York City.
- Comedian Trevor Noah will host the keynote, with appearances from Stephen Curry and other guests.
- Pre-orders are expected to begin at 10:00 a.m. ET, eight hours before the presentation starts.
- Google has teased the Pixel 11 series and Pixel Watch 5 for the event.
- A Pixel Tag tracker has appeared in retail listings but remains unconfirmed by Google.
Pixel 11 lineup: iterative design with a glowing twist
Leaked images and official teasers suggest the Pixel 11 family will look largely familiar. The slab-style phones are expected to retain the horizontal camera bar, though this year it may run black across its entire length on all models. New color options are anticipated, including shades of green, pink, and purple for the base model, with beige and silver finishes reportedly coming to the Pro variants.
The most visible change appears to be a multicolored LED light embedded in the camera bar, a feature that has circulated under the names Pixel Glow and HiLight. Google’s own teaser videos have shown the light in action, and code discovered by 9to5Google in the company’s contacts app indicates that the final name is HiLight. The feature is expected to let users assign colors to specific contacts for incoming call notifications, and leaked marketing materials suggest it will also activate during Gemini AI conversations. According to recent leaks, HiLight may be limited to the Pro models, with the Pixel 11 Pro Fold reportedly receiving a redesigned camera housing to accommodate it.
Under the hood, the Pixel 11 series is widely expected to use Google’s Tensor G6 system-on-a-chip. Multiple reports, including one from Taiwan’s Economic Daily News, claim the chip will be manufactured on TSMC’s 2nm process. If accurate, the Pixel 11 would be the first smartphone lineup to reach market with a 2nm processor, narrowly ahead of Apple’s forthcoming iPhone 18. The Tensor G6 is also rumored to include a MediaTek M90 modem, which would replace the Samsung Exynos modems used in previous generations and could address long-standing complaints about Pixel connectivity and battery drain.
Storage configurations are expected to start at 256GB across the entire family, up from the 128GB entry point on the Pixel 10 series. However, early retail listings spotted by 9to5Google suggest the Pixel 11 Pro may ship with 12GB of RAM, down from the 16GB found in last year’s Pro models. That figure remains unconfirmed and conflicts with some other leaks suggesting the Pro devices will retain 16GB.
Buyers should expect to pay more this year. A Google vice president told 9to5Google that the Pixel family will receive pricing “adjustments” due to the ongoing memory crisis, and leaked Amazon listings have pointed to increases of roughly €100 in European markets.
Pixel Watch 5 doubles storage and leans into AI
Google briefly teased the Pixel Watch 5 ahead of the event, confirming an August 12 reveal. The wearable’s existence was already an open secret after Gearbox Software founder Randy Pitchford posted images in May of a device his friend had found while scuba diving off the coast of St. Martin.
Leaked renders and regulatory filings indicate the watch will keep the same rounded design as the Pixel Watch 4, with 41mm and 45mm case sizes. Expected finishes include dark anthracite, pyrite, silver, and gold. Battery life is rumored to remain unchanged at 30 hours for the smaller model and 40 hours for the larger one, but internal storage is expected to double from 32GB to 64GB. A Google Play Console listing reported by 9to5Google suggests the watch will retain the same Qualcomm processor as its predecessor but increase RAM from 2GB to 3GB to better support on-device AI features.
Marketing materials obtained by MyMobiles indicate that Gemini Intelligence will be a central software feature, offering what Google describes as a “personal, proactive assistant.” One leaked slide references “Proactive Suggestions” that can recommend context-aware replies to messages. The materials also promise Google’s “most accurate sleep tracking yet.”
The Pixel Watch 4 started at $349.99 for the 41mm Wi-Fi model and $399.99 for the 45mm Wi-Fi model. This year, leaks point to starting prices of $399 and $429 respectively, with LTE variants potentially reaching $499 and $529.
Pixel Buds Pro 2 colorway and Pixel Tag tracker
After two years on the market, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 appear set to receive a new olive green color option rather than a full hardware refresh. Leaked marketing images from Evan Blass show the earbuds in a finish that matches the rumored Pixel 11 Pro color palette. The earbuds have already appeared on a Google Play rewards page under their existing name, suggesting no major internal changes.
Google is also expected to introduce its first branded item tracker. Dubbed Pixel Tag, the device has appeared in retail listings with an oval shape and a “Fog Light” colorway. According to leaks from 9to5Google, the tracker will work with Google’s Find Hub network and include a speaker for audible location alerts. Pricing is rumored to land between $25 and €35, positioning it as a direct competitor to Apple’s AirTag and Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag.
Googlebooks and Android XR glasses held for fall
Despite recent leaks surrounding Googlebook laptops and Android XR smart glasses, neither category is expected to take center stage on August 12. Google has previously stated that both product lines will arrive in the fall, and industry observers anticipate dedicated announcements later this year, possibly at IFA or a separate hardware briefing.
The Made by Google event will stream live on YouTube and the Google Store website.