Google's New Pixel Phones and Watch: What the Reviews Say
The Verge published reviews of Google's new Pixel 11 phones and Pixel Watch 5 on August 19, 2026, one day before the devices go on sale. The outlet also held a subscriber Q&A session that afternoon. The Verge
David Imel reviewed the Pixel 11 Pro. Dominic Preston handled the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Victoria Song covered the Pixel Watch 5. The reviews round out coverage of a lineup that Google first showed off a week earlier at its Made by Google 2026 event on August 12. The Verge; Google Blog
The Pixel 11 series includes four models: the standard Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. All run on Google's own processor, called the Tensor G6, and include AI features that Google calls "advanced Gemini intelligence." Think of it this way: the phone has a built-in assistant powered by Google's Gemini AI, which can help with things like editing photos, answering questions, and sending reminders before you even ask. Google Blog
Google highlights several new software features across the lineup: Camera Looks, Creator Suite, Magic Capture, and Proactive Assistance. The company describes the phones as bringing "refined hardware built to last, upgraded cameras, and more proactive Gemini support," and calls the series "your most personal Pixel yet." The Verge; Google Blog
Pricing places the Pixel 11 at $899 with 256 GB of base storage. The Pixel 11 Pro starts at $1,099. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold starts at $1,299 for the 256 GB model. Preorders opened on August 12, and the phones go on sale August 20. Android Police; Wired
The Pixel Watch 5 starts at $400 for the 41mm model and $430 for the 45mm. Google says it offers AI-powered coaching, better GPS route tracking, alerts that anticipate your needs, and up to 40 hours of battery life on a single charge. Android Police; Google Blog; Google Store
Google also announced its first-ever Pixel Tag at the August 12 event. It is a small tracking device, similar to Apple's AirTag, that helps you find lost items like keys or a wallet. Google Blog
On the retail side, Google's US store offers $250 off the Pixel Watch 5 when you buy an eligible Pixel 11 phone, and includes 6 months of Google AI Pro, valued at $119, with the Pixel 11 Pro. The Australian store offers A$599 off the Pixel Watch 5 with a Pixel 11 Pro XL purchase, and A$449 with a Pixel 11 Pro purchase. Google Store US; Google Store AU
Reviewers typically publish their assessments the day before a product goes on sale, giving buyers a short window to read independent opinions before deciding to purchase. Google's product page for the Pixel 11 Pro describes it as "attention-grabbing not attention-seeking" and "meticulously crafted," language that suggests the company is positioning the Pro model as a thoughtful, design-focused alternative to flashier competitors. Google Store
The software features are where Google is drawing its sharpest competitive line. Camera Looks, Creator Suite, Magic Capture, and Proactive Assistance all rely on Gemini AI running on the Tensor G6 chip, and they work across both the phones and the Pixel Watch 5. The promise of AI that responds quickly on a watch that lasts 40 hours per charge is exactly the kind of claim reviewers like Imel, Preston, and Song will test against everyday use.
For buyers weighing a purchase, the math is straightforward. The Pixel 11 starts at $899, the Pro at $1,099, and the Pro Fold at $1,299, with the Watch 5 adding $400 or $430 depending on size. The included Google AI Pro subscription and store discounts lower the initial cost of buying into Google's ecosystem, at least for the first six months. What happens after that trial period ends, and whether the AI features genuinely improve daily life, are the questions these reviews begin to answer.
