Google’s next flagship will start with double the storage but also demand a fatter wallet, according to a new leak that pegs the Pixel 11 at €999 and up — with a minimum of 256GB. The device is reportedly slated to go on sale August 20.

For Windows users who rely on Phone Link to bridge their PC and Android phone, the leak is more than a curiosity. It’s an early-warning signal that the Android handset you pick up in 2026 will almost certainly cost you more up front, even as it finally ditches the stingy 128GB starting tier that has plagued premium phones for years.

The numbers in black and white

A fresh leak — originating from a source with a track record of Pixel retail intelligence — details three Pixel 11 models: the standard Pixel 11, a Pixel 11 Pro, and a Pixel 11 Pro XL. Storage tiers, according to the information, will be 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB across the board. Gone is the 128GB option that served as the entry point from the Pixel 6 through the Pixel 9 series.

Pricing, if accurate, lands at:

  • Pixel 11: €999 (256GB), €1,099 (512GB)
  • Pixel 11 Pro: €1,199 (256GB), €1,299 (512GB), €1,499 (1TB)
  • Pixel 11 Pro XL: €1,299 (256GB), €1,399 (512GB), €1,599 (1TB)

In the US, where Google typically undercuts the euro figure slightly after conversion, a starting price of $899 to $949 for the base Pixel 11 is plausible. That’s a $100–$150 hike over the Pixel 9’s $799 launch price.

The August 20 on-sale date would place the launch roughly two weeks earlier than the Pixel 9’s mid-October debut this year — a cadence that aligns with Android 16’s rumored Q3 release and an apparent strategy to steal attention ahead of Apple’s usual September iPhone event.

What a €999 Pixel means for your wallet

A flagship phone crossing the €1,000 psychological barrier isn’t novel — Samsung and Apple left it behind years ago. But Google’s Pixel line has long been pitched as the smart, value-conscious alternative. That pitch loses its punch at €999.

For home users who upgrade every two or three years, the jump from a €799 Pixel 9 to a €999 Pixel 11 represents a real squeeze. Factor in a case, a screen protector, and possibly a faster charger that Google no longer includes, and you’re staring at a €1,100 outlay. Trade-in values and carrier deals will soften the blow for some, but the starting sticker price sets the baseline for contract monthly payments.

Admins and IT departments provisioning Android devices for work — particularly those integrating with Windows 11’s Phone Link management features — will need to re-run their numbers. A 256GB floor might reduce the number of employees who require SD-card expansion or cloud storage, but the per-unit cost increase could push mid-budget fleet buys toward last-gen Pixels or even mid-range Samsung Galaxy A devices.

Windows users who treat their phone as a PC companion will also feel the shift. Phone Link’s recent improvements — such as clipboard sharing and the ability to use the phone’s camera as a webcam — make the Android-on-Windows experience stickier. But if the best Android phones start at €999, the ecosystem starts to look less accessible, especially when a capable Windows laptop costs about the same.

How we got here: storage creep and silicon costs

The death of the 128GB flagship has been telegraphed for years. Apple killed the 64GB iPhone base model with the iPhone 13 in 2021; Samsung moved its Galaxy S series to 256GB starting with the S22 in some regions, then made it near-universal with the S23. Google is the last major holdout.

The reason is twofold. First, modern camera systems produce enormous files. A single 50MP raw image from a Pixel 9 Pro can eat 25MB; a minute of 4K60 video gulps 400MB. Users who shoot a vacation’s worth of content quickly fill 128GB when the OS and essential apps already occupy 20–30GB.

Second, the price of NAND flash has dropped enough that 256GB is no longer the expensive premium tier it once was. The bill-of-materials difference between 128GB and 256GB is roughly $10 to $15 today, according to component analysts. Google can absorb that while raising the headline price, effectively trading a low-storage entry point for a higher ASP (average selling price) — a margin-friendly move that also aligns with its push toward higher-end “Pro” features like the Tensor G6’s on-device AI models, which demand more storage headroom.

There’s also the matter of competition. Google’s Tensor chips have traditionally underperformed Qualcomm’s Snapdragon and Apple’s A-series in raw benchmarks. The company has compensated with aggressive pricing. The Pixel 11 leak suggests that era may be ending. If Google charges like a super-premium brand, it will need to deliver super-premium performance — something Windows users who code or run Linux on their phones will watch closely.

What to do now

If you’re in the market for a new phone today, don’t wait. The Pixel 9 series offers 90% of the expected Pixel 11 feature set at a lower price, and carriers will discount them aggressively as the launch window approaches. Buy now if you want a deal.

For those holding out for a Pixel 11, consider budgeting for the higher entry price — or start eyeing the Pixel 9a. Leaks suggest that Google’s next A-series phone will retain a 128GB base at a much lower price, possibly around €499. If the A-series follows the 256GB trend, expect it no earlier than the Pixel 12a.

Enterprise and IT decision-makers should begin evaluating whether the Pixel 10 (expected in 2025) will serve as the last reliable mid-range flagship. The Pixel 10 will likely keep the 128GB/256GB split, making it a safe bulk-buy candidate before the price floor rises.

Windows Insiders and Phone Link enthusiasts can take the leak as a prompt to ensure their devices are supported. Microsoft’s Phone Link app requires Android 9.0 or later and a Windows 10/11 PC. Any Pixel from the 4 onward qualifies, so there’s no forced obsolescence — but the best integration features, such as streaming Android apps to PC, demand newer hardware and Android 15+, which the Pixel 11 will launch with.

What to watch next

Google has not confirmed any Pixel 11 details, and plans can shift. The most critical unknown is whether the Tensor G6 chip will close the performance gap. If it does, the higher price may be justified; if not, the Pixel 11 risks being a premium-priced device with mid-range silicon — a tough sell even for loyalists.

The August 20 sale date is also notable. If Google moves its entire launch cycle forward by six to eight weeks, expect Android 16 developer previews to begin in February rather than March, with betas through the spring. That would put Windows developers who target Android apps on a tighter schedule to test compatibility with Phone Link and the Windows Subsystem for Android (which, though deprecated, is still used by many).

Finally, keep an eye on Samsung. If the Galaxy S25 launches at a similar price in early 2026, the grounds for competition shift entirely from features to ecosystem. For Windows users, the Galaxy’s tighter Samsung Notes and Quick Share integration might tip the balance for those willing to pay premium prices regardless.