Google's upcoming 2026 Pixel hardware launch event is set to be a significant moment in the tech industry, with the company unveiling a range of new devices. The event, hosted by celebrity Trevor Noah, is scheduled for Wednesday evening, marking a departure from the typical daytime timing of tech events. This shift in timing, along with a pre-order countdown ending earlier than the event itself, suggests that Google may reveal all the details about its new devices well before the official launch. The focus of the event will be on the Pixel 11 smartphone lineup, which is expected to include four models: the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. These devices are rumored to be largely iterative updates to the Pixel 10 series, with a focus on design enhancements such as black camera bars and a rainbow glowy light feature called HiLight, which can be customized and interacts with Google's Gemini AI. Under the hood, the Pixel 11 series will be powered by the new Tensor G6 chip, which is expected to offer performance and power efficiency gains, making it the first smartphone to use TSMC's 2nm process. However, there are concerns about reduced RAM in the base models and a potential increase in starting prices for the entire Pixel lineup. Google is also expected to announce the Pixel Watch 5, a smartwatch with improved battery life and storage, and the Pixel Buds Pro 2 in a new color. Additionally, the company may introduce the Pixel Tag, an AirTag-like item tracker, despite rumors of Googlebook laptops and smart glasses being delayed until later in the year.
