Google Launches Pixel 11, Pixel Watch 5, and Pixel Tag at Made by Google '26

Google officially launched its highly anticipated Pixel 11 smartphone series, the Pixel Watch 5, and a direct competitor to Apple's AirTag, dubbed the Pixel Tag, at its Made by Google '26 event on Wednesday. The tech giant also showcased a significant integration of its Gemini AI across its product lines, aiming to enhance user experience and functionality.

The Made by Google event placed a substantial focus on artificial intelligence, particularly the advancements and applications of Gemini. A notable accessibility enhancement includes the expansion of the "Live Transcribe" feature to support American Sign Language (ASL). Leveraging the Pixel Camera, this new capability can translate sign language into text in real-time, offering a crucial communication bridge for the deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Google also introduced "Rambler," a sophisticated voice-input system engineered to understand natural, conversational speech, including filler words and run-on sentences, a significant improvement over systems requiring precise phrasing.

Further integrating AI into the user experience, Google announced that "Circle to Search" will now be more readily accessible directly from the Pixel Camera application. This allows users to seamlessly identify objects, perform distant searches, translate text, or gain information about their surroundings without exiting the camera interface.

Pixel 11 Lineup and Pricing

The standard Pixel 11 features a redesigned, slimmer camera bar, now over 40% thinner and covered by an all-glass surface extending across the phone's width. Google has doubled the base storage to 256GB, a move that coincides with a $100 price increase, bringing the starting price to $899. The 128GB storage option has been discontinued, partly due to ongoing RAM supply shortages.

Durability is a key focus for the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL. These models boast improved drop resistance and a new anti-scratch display coating that offers more than double the scratch resistance of their Pixel 10 Pro predecessors. The Pixel 11 Pro starts at $1,099, a $100 increase from the Pixel 10 Pro. Both Pro models will be available in new color options, including Canyon, Fog, Olive, and Obsidian, with the Obsidian variant featuring an all-matte finish this year.

The foldable Pixel 11 Pro Fold has undergone significant redesigns, becoming nearly 10% lighter and almost 1mm thinner than the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. It features slimmer bezels, an upgraded 48-megapixel main camera, and a 30x Super Zoom. Building on the IP68 water and dust resistance of its predecessor, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold incorporates a glass-fiber composite back cover for enhanced crack resistance and a redesigned hinge for improved inner display protection. Google states these modifications make the foldable three times more durable than the previous generation. It will be offered in Olive and Obsidian.

The launch of the Pixel Tag directly challenges Apple's AirTag. This compact tracking device is designed to help users locate personal items like keys, wallets, and luggage. It utilizes Google's Android's Find Hub network, enabling users to track the tag's location via the Find Hub app. Priced at $29 for a single unit or $99 for a four-pack, the Pixel Tag can also be located through a Pixel Watch, and users with Pixel Buds can instruct Gemini to find or ring a tag, adding a voice-controlled dimension to item tracking.

The Pixel Watch 5 introduces several new health-monitoring features. The Google Health app will now provide monthly summaries of blood pressure trends and insulin resistance trends, aiming to help users identify long-term patterns. The 41mm Pixel Watch 5 is priced at $399, with the 45mm version available for $429. A special Stephen Curry edition, featuring a unique workout-focused design, will retail for $579. Additionally, the Pixel Buds Pro will now be available in a new Olive color option.