Google confirms Pixel 11 price hike ahead of launch, says Android is being optimised to use less RAM
Google has confirmed that the upcoming Pixel 11 series will launch with higher prices, predictably citing an “unprecedented surge in memory costs”. Ahead of the Made by Google event on August 12th, the company’s hardware division has reportedly conceded that the global RAM supply crunch has forced it to adjust pricing across the Pixel portfolio. The company has also stepped up efforts to make Android more memory-efficient.
Speaking to 9to5Google, Google’s Vice President of Devices and Services, Shakil Barkat, said the company had absorbed rising component costs for as long as possible but could no longer shield consumers from the impact. According to Barkat, memory prices have surged dramatically, with Morgan Stanley data showing the cost of 1GB of RAM rising from around USD 2.80 (around Rs 270) in 2025 to USD 12 (around Rs 1,200) this year.
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Google added that price adjustments will be introduced dynamically across the Pixel lineup based on supply conditions. While exact pricing will be announced at the August 12th launch event, the company said it will continue offering trade-in deals, promotional offers and bundled services such as Google One to improve affordability.
To offset rising memory costs, Google says it is making Android more efficient so future Pixel phones can deliver the same smooth performance while using less RAM. The company added that its close integration of Tensor chips, Android and on-device AI helps maintain performance even as hardware costs continue to rise.
Leaked and expected global pricing
While Google has now confirmed a price increase, the leaked pricing itself isn’t new. Previous reports suggested the standard Pixel 11 could start at USD 899 (around Rs 87,000) for the 256GB model, up from USD 799 (Rs 74,999 in India) for the base Pixel 10, although the higher starting price is expected to coincide with a move from 128GB to 256GB storage.
Similarly, the Pixel 11 Pro is tipped to start at USD 1,099 (around Rs 1.05 lakh), compared to USD 999 for the Pixel 10 Pro (Rs 1,09,999 in India). The Pixel 11 Pro XL could begin at USD 1,299 (around Rs 1.25 lakh), versus USD 1,199 (Rs 1,24,999 in India) for its predecessor, while the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is expected to start at USD 1,899 (around Rs 1.82 lakh), a USD 100 increase over the Pixel 10 Pro Fold’s launch price.
Leaks also suggest the standard Pixel 11 may feature a 6.3-inch 120Hz OLED display, Tensor G6 chipset built on a 2nm process, a triple rear camera setup led by a 50MP primary sensor, and a 4,985mAh battery. The Pro models are expected to retain 120Hz OLED panels with upgraded camera hardware, while the Fold could offer a 6.5-inch outer display and Tensor G6-powered on-device AI.
Expected pricing in India
Google has not confirmed Indian pricing, but if the reported USD 100 increase is reflected proportionally, the Pixel 11 lineup could launch above the Pixel 10 series across all variants. For reference, the Pixel 10 launched at Rs 79,999 in India, while the Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold debuted at Rs 1,09,999, Rs 1,24,999 and Rs 1,72,999, respectively. These are all higher than the actual converted USD prices for the Pixel 10 series at launch.
The announcement may also have implications beyond the Pixel 11 series. Google has confirmed that the ongoing memory supply crunch will affect Pixel devices already on sale, although it has not said which models or when revised prices will take effect. That could include newer devices such as the Pixel 10a. If you’re already considering a current-generation Pixel, buying sooner rather than later could help you avoid any future price revisions. At the same time, Google says it aims to keep the Pixel lineup competitive across every price segment through trade-in offers, bundled services and promotional discounts.
