The upcoming Google Pixel 11 might take sharper photos and videos if an insider’s leak proves true. The base model would upgrade from a 48-megapixel to a 50-megapixel sensor, according to a post on Telegram from Mystic Leaks. The rumor also includes purported details about Google’s three other new phones — the Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold.
If Google keeps to its previous year’s schedule, the Pixel 11 could come out in August.
Leaks aren’t official information. Google hasn’t released any details about the Pixel 11 series, nor has it announced when the phones will be released. A Google representative didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
More from CNET: Pixel 10 vs. Pixel 10 Pro vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL, a Comparison
If the Pixel 11 gets a 50-megapixel rear camera, it would catch up to the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL, which launched last year with 50-megapixel shooters. Other phones with 50-megapixel cameras include Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Xiaomi 15 Ultra, OnePlus 13 and the Motorola Edge 70 Series. A 50-megapixel camera provides higher resolution, light sensitivity and zooming versatility.
There is a possible downside to the upgrade, however. Mystic Leaks said the Pixel 11 base model might have only 8GB of RAM on its starting configuration, which is a significant drop from the 12GB of RAM in the Pixel 10. Mystic Leaks suggested there could be a 12GB RAM version of the Pixel 11, but that may also mean a higher price for that configuration.
Manufacturers of smartphones and laptops, among other devices, have wrestled with the RAM shortage caused by the memory needs of the fast-growing AI industry. That crunch has led to higher prices and component shortages for many products.
Mystic Leaks said the Pro, Pro XL and Pro Fold will start with 12GB of RAM but will also have 16GB options.
Other details for the Pixel 11
Mystic Leaks also said there could be four color options for the Pixel 11 — black, green, pink and purple. The phone will keep the same size and resolution OLED display from its predecessor — 6.3 inches and 1,080×2,424 pixels. The phone would come with a 4,840-mAh battery, according to the insider, which would be closer to the capacity of the battery on the Pixel 10 Pro than the 4,970-mAh battery of the standard Pixel 10.
Mystic Leaks also said the Pixel 11 Pro, Pro XL and Pro Fold could have a light-up notification feature on the back of the phones to show when there is certain activity, such as when calls and messages are coming in. CNET reported last month that Google might introduce the Pixel Glow — a lighted notification system on the back of phones — to the Pixel 11 series.
The Pixel Glow would be akin to the Glyph feature that Nothing has on its phones, such as the new 4A Pro. The Glyph lights up in various ways to show incoming calls, messages, phone-charging levels and more.
Mystic Leaks also said the phones would run on a Tensor G6 processor, the next version of Google’s internally designed silicon.
More from CNET: If Your Phone Is on the Table, It Needs to Be Face Down
Reactions were mixed on a subreddit about the Pixel 11 report. Redditor matteventu wrote, “I love the idea of some RGB lights hidden there. But I cannot but feel disappointed about the decrease in RAM.”
The upgrade seems “solid” to escondido311, but they added, “I do want to see how the processor performs. With desktop mode becoming a reality, the extra processing power will be more important.”
