Google's Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL Cut RAM Amid Soaring Component Costs

Google's latest Pixel smartphones and watches are pricier than their predecessors, but there's a catch - they come with less RAM in some models. The base versions of the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL have 12GB of RAM, compared to 16GB in last year's devices. However, Google claims that through software optimization, these phones will still provide faster performance than their predecessors.

The tech giant attributes the price increases to soaring component costs, particularly for RAM, storage, and chips. This is partly due to the growing demand from AI companies, which are buying up large quantities of these components to build out their data centers. Google's Pixel 11 series starts at $899 for the base model, with prices going up to $1,299 for the Pro XL.

While some users may not notice a significant difference in performance, those who engage in resource-intensive tasks like video editing or gaming might feel the pinch of having less RAM. Google's spokesperson acknowledged the supplier-driven RAM shortage and promised to adjust pricing and RAM configurations to mitigate the issue while delivering maximum value for customers.