2 weeks ago
Google challenges Apple in India with AI-powered Pixel 11 lineup
Google makes phones called Pixel, just like Apple makes iPhones.
Google just showed off four brand-new ones, all called Pixel 11.
These phones are extra smart because they have an AI helper named Gemini inside.
Gemini can do tasks for you, like ordering food or turning a grocery list into a shopping basket ready for delivery.
The phones also have a new glowing light strip, called HiLight, that shows notifications.
This year, every phone has twice as much storage space as last year's models.
But the phones cost more, because the tiny memory chips inside them became more expensive.
Google hopes to sell more phones in India, where Apple is very popular and Google's Pixel is small but growing fast.
Google also announced a new smartwatch, the Pixel Watch 5, that tracks your health and can even watch for blood-pressure changes.
All the new devices go on sale on August 20.
Google revealed four Pixel 11 phones — Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold — led by Gemini AI features.
All models start at 256GB storage, double the previous generation, powered by the Tensor G6 chip running Android 17.
India prices rose due to a memory-chip shortage, with the base Pixel 11 at Rs 89,999 — Rs 10,000 more than last year.
Pixel holds under 1% of India's smartphone market but grew 68% year-on-year in the ultra-premium segment, per Counterpoint Research.
The Pixel Watch 5 health smartwatch starts at Rs 42,900; all devices go on sale globally, including India, on August 20.
- Who
- Google, competing with Apple and Samsung in India's premium smartphone market; Tarun Pathak of Counterpoint Research commented on the launch.
- What
- Launch of the four-phone Pixel 11 series and the Pixel Watch 5 (called the Pixel 5 smartwatch in one report), built around Gemini AI and the Tensor G6 chip.
- Where
- India, a key growth market for Google's Pixel brand; devices available globally.
- When
- Announced ahead of the global sale date of August 20.
- Why
- To grow Pixel's under-1% share of India's premium smartphone market with AI features, while a memory-chip shortage has pushed prices higher.
Key facts
- Models launched
- Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, Pixel 11 Pro Fold
- India pricing
- Pixel 11 from Rs 89,999; Pixel 11 Pro Rs 1,19,999; Pixel 11 Pro XL Rs 1,34,999; Pixel 11 Pro Fold Rs 1,86,999
- Minimum storage
- 256 GB, double the previous generation
- Processor and security
- Google Tensor G6 (TSMC 2nm) with Titan M3 security chip
- New hardware feature
- HiLight ambient LED array for notifications and Gemini interactions
- Pixel Watch 5
- From Rs 42,900 (41mm; Rs 45,900 for 45mm), health-focused with satellite SOS
- Sale date
- August 20, globally including India
- Market context
- Pixel under 1% of India's smartphone market; 68% YoY growth in ultra-premium segment
Quotes
Tarun Pathak
Research Director, Devices and Ecosystems at Counterpoint Research
“"Fast-forward to the Pixel 11 series, and while its computational photography is still arguably the best, the tighter integration with the Google ecosystem, especially the new AI experiences, is likely to be the main differentiating factor."”
indianexpress.com






