Google's annual hardware launch event is set to take place on Wednesday, with a celebrity host in Trevor Noah. The event will reveal new Pixel smartphones, watches, and earbuds, as well as a potential new item tracker. However, the launch event may be overshadowed by the pre-order countdown on the Google Store, which ends hours before the event itself. Here's a breakdown of what to expect from Google's 2026 Pixel hardware launch event.
The Pixel 11 Lineup
Google has hinted at its new phones, but the new smartphones could be largely iterative updates. The company is expected to announce four new smartphones: the Pixel 11, the Pixel 11 Pro, the Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Based on leaked images, they should look largely the same as the Pixel 10 lineup, though they'll have camera bars that are black all the way across and colors that might rule. Perhaps the most notable visual difference will be a rainbow glowy light on the camera bar, which Google has already shown off for the Pixel 11 Pro. The company hasn’t yet specified what it’ll do or what it’s called, but code in Google’s contacts app spotted by 9to5Google indicates that it will be called “HiLight” and, at least for that contacts app, HiLight can be customized with different colors to indicate when certain people call you. Presumably, the light will work in some way with other apps as well.
Inside the phones, it seems likely that they’ll be powered by a new Tensor G6 chip. It’s rumored that the new chip will use TSMC’s 2nm process, which is expected to bring performance and power efficiency gains. If it does launch with a 2nm chip, the Pixel 11 series will be the first smartphones on the market to do so, and potentially by a hair; Apple’s chip for its next Pro phones that presumably launch in September is also expected to use the 2nm process. Google is rumored to raise the starting storage of the base Pixel 11 and the base Pixel 11 Pro to 256GB, up from the 128GB floor with the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro. However, early Pixel 11 Pro listings have stated that the Pixel 11 Pro will have 12GB of RAM. If accurate, that would be down from the 16GB of RAM found in the Pixel 10 Pro lineup.
And expect the whole Pixel lineup to have a higher starting price, as a Google VP recently told 9to5Google that the Pixel family will get pricing "adjustments" due to the memory crisis.
The Pixel Watch 5
We already know that Google has manufactured at least one device called the Pixel Watch 5. Leaked renders of the Pixel Watch 5 indicate that it may come in colors including black, polished silver, yellow gold, and a brass-y color, though the overall design looks quite similar to the Pixel Watch 4. Specs obtained by MyMobiles say that the new watch comes in 41 and 45mm screen 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 available previously.
On the software side, marketing materials obtained by MyMobiles suggest that Gemini Intelligence — which Google revealed earlier this year for Android phones — will be a big feature for the Pixel Watch 5 this year. One apparent marketing slide calls Gemini Intelligence a "personal, proactive assistant" that can proactively surface helpful information for you. A feature called "Proactive Suggestions" will also be able to help you reply to messages by recommending "context-aware replies" based on a conversation. The marketing materials also promise that the new watch will have Google’s "most accurate sleep tracking yet."
However, like with the Pixel phones, expect higher prices. MyMobiles reports that the 41mm Wi-Fi model may start at $399, up from the Pixel Watch 4’s $349.99, while the 45mm Wi-Fi model could start at $429, up from $399.99.
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 in a new color
Google first launched the Pixel Buds Pro 2 in 2024, but two years on, it seems as if the company is just going to launch a new color instead of refreshing the product. An apparent marketing image leaked by Evan Blass shows new earbuds in a nice olive green color that matches other renders that Blass and others have surfaced of the Pixel 11 lineup. But the headphones themselves otherwise look just like the Buds Pro 2 — and they have apparently already appeared on a Google Play rewards page with the name "Pixel Buds Pro 2."
The Pixel Tag item tracker
Google may also launch something brand new: Pixel Tag, an AirTag-like item tracker. Based on an image 9to5Google recently obtained, it has an oval shape, meaning it could look a little bit different than Apple’s circular AirTag. Presumably, the Pixel Tag will play nicely with Android’s Find Hub network. A machine translation of a now-removed online listing said the tracker will connect with the "Find My Device" network, which was the name of the network before Google changed it to Find Hub. But detailed specs and an expected price haven’t leaked just yet.
Don’t expect Googlebook laptops or smart glasses
Some leaks for new Googlebook laptops have also cropped up recently, but when it first announced the Googlebooks, Google said they would be launching in the fall. Google is also working on smart glasses and Android XR glasses, but those are scheduled for the fall, too.
Sure, Google could throw curveballs. But that hardware will probably get full reveals at a later date.
