Google Pixel 11 price hike eliminates value advantage, Android Authority says
Google's Pixel 11 series launched with $100 price increases across all models, erasing the brand's budget-friendly edge over rivals, according to Android Authority.
According to Android Authority, all four Pixel 11 models cost $100 more than their Pixel 10 counterparts, with the standard Pixel 11 priced at $899, the Pro at $1,099, the Pro XL at $1,299, and the Pro Fold at $1,899. The outlet noted that the base model saw the highest percentage increase.
The price hike, the report argued, erases the price advantage that once made Pixels a compelling alternative to Samsung and Apple flagships. The Pixel 10 series had briefly regained a "budget" status after Samsung raised Galaxy S26 prices earlier this year, but now both brands start at $899. Meanwhile, Apple's iPhone 17 retails for $799, making it the cheapest flagship among the three major Western phone makers.
Android Authority's commentary highlighted that Google made no significant battery, performance, or camera upgrades with the Pixel 11, making the higher prices harder to justify. The outlet traced the price hikes partly to RAM shortages driven by the genAI boom, which has raised component costs. However, it argued Google could have absorbed more of those costs to protect consumers.
The report also expressed concern for smartphone buyers, noting that with fewer competitors in the market, Google's pricing decision has an outsized impact. It concluded that keeping prices down would be a reasonable request from a company that urges users to "ask more of your phone."