Google unveils Pixel 11 with higher prices, less RAM

Google Alphabet Inc. ↘ 0.18% unveiled its Pixel 11 lineup on Wednesday, August 12, confirming price increases and reduced RAM configurations across multiple models as the global memory chip shortage continues to reshape smartphone economics.

Higher Prices, Less Memory

The Pixel 11 series — comprising the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold — arrives with the 128GB storage tier eliminated entirely, making 256GB the new baseline. In the United States, the base Pixel 11 starts at $899, the Pixel 11 Pro at $1,099, the Pixel 11 Pro XL at $1,299, and the foldable Pixel 11 Pro Fold at $1,899.acs+2

In Australia, the Pixel 11 Pro starts from A$1,849 for 256GB — a 9 percent increase over the Pixel 10 Pro's A$1,699 starting price. The base Pixel 11 starts at A$1,499, up 11 percent from its predecessor.acs

The most notable trade-off: base 256GB versions of the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL ship with 12GB of RAM, down from the 16GB found in last year's models. Only the higher-capacity 512GB and 1TB variants retain 16GB.droid-life+2

Hours before the official announcement, India pricing leaked showing increases of ₹10,000 across standard models and ₹15,000 on the foldable.technosports

A "Severe" Shortage

Google described the memory situation in blunt terms. "The tech industry is navigating a severe, supplier-driven RAM shortage and we will need to adjust Pixel 11 pricing and RAM configurations to mitigate this while delivering maximum value for our customers," the company said in a statement to Engadget.acs

Industry data cited by Morgan Stanley shows the cost of 1GB of RAM has surged from approximately $2.80 in 2025 to $12 in 2026, driven largely by AI data centers consuming the bulk of chip production capacity. Google's VP of Devices and Services, Shakil Barkat, confirmed in July that pricing adjustments were coming, telling 9to5Google that the company was working to make Android more RAM-efficient to offset lower hardware specs.facebook+1

Industry-Wide Pressure

Google is not alone. Apple ↘ 0.87% is expected to raise prices on its iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max when they are announced in September, with CEO Tim Cook telling US media in June that memory cost increases had "become unsustainable". Samsung has made similar moves earlier this year.acs

The Pixel 11 series and Pixel Watch 5 are available for pre-order now and will ship starting August 20.phonearena+1