Google recently showcased its Pixel 11 series phones alongside expanded hardware at an annual event, introducing processor and camera upgrades along with adjusted memory configurations.
The range spans the base Pixel 11 (priced at $899), Pixel 11 Pro ($1,099), Pixel 11 Pro XL ($1,299) and Pixel 11 Pro Fold ($1,899), which all run on Google’s Tensor G6 processor.
Google stated Tensor G6 provides a 50% increase in compute performance than its previous generation and is built to accelerate on-device execution of the Gemini Nano generative AI model.
The company noted on-device AI workloads run up to 3.5-times faster and cut energy by the same proportion. A revamped CPU speeds web browsing by 25%.
An updated Titan M3 coprocessor adds post-quantum cryptography to the secure boot process. The devices use the Android 17 OS and models with 16GB of RAM are configured to run Gemini tasks.
Hardware
The Pixel 11 features a dual rear camera set-up with a 48MP main sensor delivering a 56% improvement in light sensitivity over its last model. An upgraded ultrawide lens uses Tensor G6 algorithms to enable up to 30-times zoom.
Its Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL have a 48MP periscope telephoto sensor with a 30% increase in light sensitivity, five-times optical zoom and the same proportion of framing in portrait orientation.
The AI is said to provide up to 120-times zoom. Google stated an updated image signal processor boosts the rate of capturing images in low light by four-and-a-half times. There were storage shifts, with Google phasing out 128GB tiers in favour of a basic 256GB across the range.
Standard configurations start at 12GB RAM for 256GB models, with 16GB RAM offered on the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, and higher-tier 512GB and 1TB models.
Google also unveiled Pixel Watch 5 ($399) featuring integrated Gemini Intelligence and the Pixel Tag ($29), an ultra-wideband item tracker intended to compete with Apple’s AirTag.
Phone orders are being taken with shipments scheduled from 20 August. The tag is due to ship on 11 November.
AI matters
Paolo Pescatore, founder and president of PP Foresight, argued the Pixel 11 range shows the smartphone battle is shifting from hardware specifications to AI, software and the overall user experience.
“The new devices may not represent a dramatic reinvention”, he told Mobile World Live. “Still, Google is using Pixel to showcase what an AI-first smartphone can look like, with Gemini becoming more deeply embedded”. He said Pixel devices remain strategically important because they give Google control of hardware, software, silicon and AI.
“It is effectively the shop window for Android and Gemini, allowing the company to demonstrate its vision directly to consumers while helping set the direction for the broader Android market”.
He thinks Google faces challenges prying users away from premium-tier heavyweights Samsung and Apple, but believes the search giant is committed for the long term, with each generation of Pixel “becoming more refined and competitive”.
Source: Mobile World Live
Image Credit: Google
Source: Tahawul Tech