What to anticipate from Google’s 2026 Pixel {hardware} launch occasion

It’s that point of 12 months: On Wednesday, Google is about to host its annual Made by Google {hardware} launch occasion for Pixel devices. Google itself has already teased new slab-style and foldable Pixel smartphones, however leaks additionally point out that the corporate might announce up to date watches, a brand new shade for acquainted earbuds, and maybe a model new AirTag-like merchandise tracker.

However, unusually, Google’s occasion is going down within the night: It kicks off on Wednesday at 6PM ET / 3PM PT as a substitute of within the early afternoon or mid-morning, like many different tech occasions. And this time it has a celeb host in Trevor Noah.

Even more odd: As noted by 9to5Google, the Google Store homepage has a Pixel 11 preorder countdown that can finish at 10AM ET on Wednesday — which is many hours sooner than the launch occasion itself. That might imply that all the particulars about Google’s new units can be formally revealed lengthy earlier than the corporate hosts the formal launch occasion.

Here’s what we anticipate to see Google announce this week. If you wish to watch the occasion stay, you’ll be able to catch it on YouTube.

Google has already hinted at its new telephones whereas selling the occasion, together with shadowy glimpses of up to date Pro and foldable telephones. But the brand new smartphones may very well be largely iterative updates.

Google is anticipated to announce 4 new smartphones: the Pixel 11, the Pixel 11 Pro, the Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Based on leaked photos, they need to look largely the identical because the Pixel 10 lineup, although it seems they’ll have digital camera bars which might be black all the best way throughout and colours which may rule.

Perhaps probably the most notable visible distinction can be a rainbow glowy mild on the digital camera bar, which Google has already shown off for the Pixel 11 Pro. The firm hasn’t but specified what it’ll do or what it’s known as. But code in Google’s contacts app spotted by 9to5Google signifies that it is going to be known as “HiLight” and, at the very least for that contacts app, HiLight could be custom-made with completely different colours to point when sure folks name you. Presumably, the sunshine will work ultimately with different apps as properly. Based on a translation of a leaked Pixel 11 Pro Fold image, HiLight can even mild up while you discuss with Google’s Gemini AI.

Inside the telephones, it appears doubtless that they’ll be powered by a brand new Tensor G6 chip. It’s rumored that the brand new chip will use TSMC’s 2nm process, which is anticipated to carry efficiency and energy effectivity positive aspects. If it does launch with a 2nm chip, the Pixel 11 collection can be the first smartphones available on the market to take action, and doubtlessly by a hair; Apple’s chip for its subsequent Pro telephones that presumably launch in September can be anticipated to make use of the 2nm course of.

Google is rumored to increase the beginning storage of the bottom Pixel 11 and the bottom Pixel 11 Pro to 256GB, up from the 128GB flooring with the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro. However, early Pixel 11 Pro listings have stated that the Pixel 11 Pro may have 12GB of RAM. If correct, that might be down from the 16GB of RAM discovered within the Pixel 10 Pro lineup.

And anticipate the entire Pixel lineup to have the next beginning worth, as a Google VP lately told 9to5Google that the Pixel household will get pricing “adjustments” because of the reminiscence disaster.

We already know that Google has manufactured at the very least one machine known as the Pixel Watch 5 because of, uh, Borderlands creator Randy Pitchford. In a May publish that included two photos, Pitchford said {that a} buddy discovered the watch underwater whereas scuba diving. But lately, Google briefly teased the watch for an August twelfth launch, so we must always see extra quickly.

Leaked renders of the Pixel Watch 5 point out that it might are available colours together with black, polished silver, yellow gold, and a brass-y shade, although the general design appears fairly just like the Pixel Watch 4. Specs obtained by MyMobiles say that the brand new watch is available in 41 and 45mm display sizes with battery life rated at 30 and 40 hours, respectively, matching the Pixel Watch 4. MyMobiles says that the Pixel Watch 5 will get 64GB of storage, which is double the 32GB of storage accessible beforehand.

On the software program aspect, advertising and marketing supplies obtained by MyMobiles recommend that Gemini Intelligence — which Google revealed earlier this 12 months for Android telephones — can be a giant function for the Pixel Watch 5 this 12 months. One obvious advertising and marketing slide calls Gemini Intelligence a “personal, proactive assistant” that may proactively floor useful info for you. A function known as “Proactive Suggestions” can even have the ability that can assist you reply to messages by recommending “context-aware replies” based mostly on a dialog. The advertising and marketing supplies additionally promise that the brand new watch may have Google’s “most accurate sleep tracking yet.”

However, like with the Pixel telephones, anticipate greater costs. MyMobiles studies that the 41mm Wi-Fi mannequin could begin at $399, up from the Pixel Watch 4’s $349.99, whereas the 45mm Wi-Fi mannequin might begin at $429, up from $399.99.

The Pixel Buds Pro 2 in a brand new shade

Google first launched the Pixel Buds Pro 2 in 2024, however two years on, it appears as if the corporate is simply going to launch a brand new shade as a substitute of refreshing the product.

An obvious advertising and marketing picture leaked by Evan Blass exhibits new earbuds in a pleasant olive inexperienced shade that matches different renders that Blass and others have surfaced of the Pixel 11 lineup. But the headphones themselves in any other case look identical to the Buds Pro 2 — and so they have apparently already appeared on a Google Play rewards web page with the identify “Pixel Buds Pro 2.”

I suppose there’s all the time subsequent 12 months for the Buds Pro 3.

The Pixel Tag merchandise tracker

Google may additionally launch one thing model new: Pixel Tag, an AirTag-like merchandise tracker. Based on a picture 9to5Google recently obtained, it has an oval form, that means it might look a little bit bit completely different than Apple’s round AirTag.

Presumably, the Pixel Tag will play properly with Android’s Find Hub community. A machine translation of a now-removed on-line itemizing mentioned the tracker will join with the “Find My Device” community, which was the identify of the community earlier than Google modified it to Find Hub. But detailed specs and an anticipated worth haven’t leaked simply but.

Don’t anticipate Googlebook laptops or sensible glasses

Some leaks for brand spanking new Googlebook laptops have additionally cropped up lately, however when it first introduced the Googlebooks, Google mentioned they’d be launching within the fall. Google can be engaged on sensible glasses and Android XR glasses, however these are scheduled for the autumn, too.

Sure, Google might throw curveballs. But that {hardware} will in all probability get full reveals at a later date.