Tech Desk: Google has officially confirmed that its upcoming Pixel 11 series will launch with higher prices, directly attributing the hike to an “unprecedented surge in memory costs.” Ahead of the highly anticipated Made by Google event on August 12th, the company’s hardware division indicated that a global RAM supply crunch has necessitated pricing adjustments across its entire Pixel portfolio. Shakil Barkat, Google’s VP of Devices and Services, revealed they could no longer shield consumers from the impact of dramatically surging memory prices, citing Morgan Stanley data showing a 1GB RAM cost jump from $2.80 in 2025 to $12 this year.

The company plans dynamic price adjustments across the lineup, with exact figures to be unveiled at the August 12th launch. While the increases are significant, Google aims to soften the blow through trade-in deals, promotional offers, and bundled services like Google One to enhance affordability. Simultaneously, Google is actively working to make Android more memory-efficient, ensuring future Pixel phones maintain smooth performance with less RAM, leveraging the tight integration of Tensor chips, Android, and on-device AI.

Leaked pricing suggests the standard Pixel 11 could start at $899, up from $799 for the Pixel 10, likely coinciding with a base storage upgrade to 256GB. Similarly, the Pixel 11 Pro might begin at $1,099, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold at $1,899. These increases are expected to reflect proportionally in international markets, including India, where Pixel 10 series prices were already higher than direct USD conversions.

Beyond the Pixel 11, Google also warned that the ongoing memory supply crunch could affect existing Pixel devices, potentially including models like the Pixel 10a. Consumers eyeing a current-generation Pixel might consider purchasing sooner rather than later to avoid potential future price revisions.