Pixel 11 Pro: Major Upgrades Coming to Google's Next Flagship Phone

The wait is almost over for Google's next flagship phone, and rumors are swirling about what features to expect in the Pixel 11 Pro. As one of the most loyal fan bases in tech, Pixel enthusiasts will be eager to learn whether this year's upgrade is worth the investment.

Ahead of the August 12 Made by Google event, where the new phones will debut, leaks and rumors are painting a picture of what to expect from the next-generation device. One major change will be the Tensor G6 processor, built on TSMC's more advanced 2nm process, which should bring another meaningful performance jump and address heat management issues.

Another significant upgrade is expected in the cellular modem department, with Google finally replacing Samsung's modem with a MediaTek modem. The M90 modem promises up to 12Gbps download speeds and AI-powered optimizations for improved power efficiency. This could noticeably improve battery life, especially considering the Pixel 11 series is rumored to feature a slightly smaller battery.

In other changes, the Pixel 11 Pro will reportedly start with 256GB of storage, replacing the 128GB model entirely. However, this comes at a cost: the base model will pair its increased storage with just 12GB of RAM, down from the 16GB in the previous generation.

Pricing is also expected to increase, with the Pixel 11 Pro rumored to start at $1,099, roughly the same price as the 256GB Pixel 10 Pro. The trade-off will be more storage by default, but less RAM than before. A new glowing LED on the back of the phone, reportedly called HiLight, is also expected to make its debut.

One camera upgrade expected on the Pixel 11 Pro is improved zoom, with support for up to 120x zoom. While this may not be the only camera feature announced by Google at the launch event, it's a significant improvement over the previous generation's 100x zoom capabilities.