📱 Launch of the Google Pixel 11 Series and Competition with New Samsung Galaxy Phones
Technical summary:
Google announced the Pixel 11 series, which includes new models such as the base edition, Pro models, and a foldable model, with improvements in RAM, storage, cameras, and charging technologies, in addition to an improved OLED display in the Pro version. These updates came amid pressure from rising memory prices, which affected user choices. In contrast, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and S26 phones saw clear price reductions, sparking strong competition in the premium and foldable smartphone market.
🔥 The arrival of the Pixel 11 series: notable updates and a smart strategy
Google launched the Pixel 11 series, which includes the base version, two Pro models, and a new foldable device. In light of economic challenges that affected memory prices, Google focused on increasing the base storage capacity to start at 256 GB across all models, with clear differences in RAM depending on the model.
- The base Pixel 11 comes with 12 GB RAM, equipped with the Tensor G6 processor shared with the higher-end versions.
- The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL models start with 12 GB RAM, and 16 GB RAM is available only in the 512 GB or 1 TB options.
- The foldable model is always equipped with 16 GB RAM to ensure high performance.
Pre-orders for this series are now open, and the device will be available starting 20 August, with special offers on e-commerce sites including Amazon, which offers trade-in benefits along with additional cash rewards.
⚙️ Technical developments in the different models
Base Pixel 11: camera and charging improvements
The Pixel 11 keeps the Tensor G6 processor, which operates with improved efficiency, along with improvements in the camera system where the resolution of the main sensor has increased to 48 megapixels with a 1/1.56-inch size (compared with 1/2.0-inch in the Pixel 10), while retaining a 10.8-megapixel telephoto camera and a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera.
The magnetic wireless charging feature has been sped up to 25 watts instead of 15 watts, while wired charging remains at 30 watts, a rate considered relatively slow compared with competitors.
Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL: OLED display, advanced cameras, and faster charging
The Pixel 11 Pro features a 6.3-inch OLED display with improved resolution reaching 1280p+ and an LTPO display that enables power savings.
The cameras are almost similar to the previous generation, with improvements:
- The main camera is 50 megapixels with a large 1/1.3-inch sensor.
- The 48-megapixel ultrawide camera is equipped with autofocus.
- The 48-megapixel telephoto camera has a 5x/106 mm lens, compared with the 10 Pro model that had a 5x/113 mm lens.
The battery capacity has been kept similar to last year, while maintaining 30-watt wired charging, and wireless charging is available at 25 watts.
As for the Pixel 11 Pro XL, the screen is larger at 6.8 inches and the battery capacity is 5115 mAh, which is slightly less than the previous generation. This model supports 45-watt wired charging, allowing it to reach up to 75% in half an hour.
📌 Important point
The HiLight RGB LED feature is exclusive to Pro models and works as a notification indicator, while also supporting Gemini AI to improve how the device handles notifications and activities.
🔋 Display updates and charging technologies in the Pixel 11 Pro Fold
Google succeeded in reducing the weight and size of the new foldable phone, as its folded thickness became 10.1 mm and its open thickness 5.0 mm, with a total weight of 239 grams.
In contrast, reducing the width led to a compromise in battery capacity, which dropped to 4806 mAh, less than the previous Pixel 10 Pro Fold capacity (5015 mAh), and also less than the competing Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra battery with a capacity of 5000 mAh.
The battery charges wirelessly at an improved speed of 25 watts, while wired charging remains at 30 watts.
The phone included an improved 48-megapixel main camera with a wider 1/1.56-inch sensor, providing better imaging quality compared with the previous version.
📌 Quick summary
The balance between reducing size and weight versus reducing battery capacity may affect all-day usage on the foldable phone, but camera and wireless charging improvements have positive effects.
⌚️ Updates to the Google Pixel Watch 5
Google’s smartwatches have kept their design and core specifications with the Snapdragon Wear W5 Gen 2 processor, with an important development represented by the increase in internal storage to 64 GB, while maintaining 2 GB RAM.
Health-tracking improvements have also been introduced, along with support for Gemini Intelligence to enhance the smartwatch’s functions.
🎧 Pixel Buds Pro 2: software updates and new color options
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 headphones received a new color called Olive, in addition to software features such as Dynamic ANC (dynamic active noise cancellation) and an improved Live Translate instant-translation mode, and these updates are available to all Pro 2 units through a software update.
💸 Market situation: discounts on Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 and Galaxy S26 prices
Samsung recently launched its new foldable phones in the Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Fold8 Ultra category, which featured thinner dimensions and a lighter weight compared with the previous series, and came with large batteries and support fast charging at:
- Z Fold8 Ultra: 5000 mAh battery, 45-watt wired charging, and 20-watt wireless charging (without support for magnetic charging).
- High-spec cameras starting at 200 megapixels on the Ultra.
Despite being newly launched, these phones saw a slight price drop within discount offers, with trade-in reward features lower than before.
In contrast, the Galaxy S26 series is available at significantly lower prices compared with the Pixel 11 series, with discounts reaching up to 500 euros on the S26 Ultra model, making it a competitive choice against the Pixel 11 Pro XL.
📌 What changed here?
Samsung phones have seen more competitive prices than usual shortly after launch, while Google has maintained relatively high prices in line with the technical improvements and upgrades.
Conclusion
The Google Pixel 11 series comes with clear adjustments in memory, cameras, and charging technologies across a wide range, along with a new foldable-phone design to reduce size and weight. On the other side, Samsung Galaxy discounts make competition in the smartphone and flagship market even more intense.
This movement shows that competition between the two ecosystems continues strongly, and that users’ choices depend heavily on the balance between performance, innovation, and prices.
The smartphone market is witnessing notable activity between Google and Samsung, with clear differences in technical and marketing strategy during the second half of 2024.
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