Google Leaks Pixel 11 Pro XL Images, Hinting at Dune Color and Tensor G6 Power
Evan Blass has dropped a fresh batch of leaked marketing images for the Google Pixel 11 Pro XL, following up on prior reveals of the standard Pixel 11 model. These latest visuals offer a closer look at the device’s design, specifically highlighting a new ‘Dune’ color option – a peach-orange hue accented with gold.
Key Specs and Potential Improvements
The Pixel 11 Pro XL is expected to feature a 6.8-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1344 x 2992. Under the hood, Google is slated to deploy the Tensor G6 application processor, promising improved energy efficiency thanks to its fabrication on TSMC’s 2nm process node. While the battery capacity is rumored to be slightly reduced from 5,200mAh to 5,115mAh, the chip’s architecture – utilizing Gate-All-Around (GAA) transistors – is designed to mitigate this change, potentially delivering enhanced battery life in practice.
Furthermore, the inclusion of the MediaTek M90 5G modem chip is a significant shift, replacing the previously problematic Samsung Exynos modems that plagued earlier Pixel iterations. TSMC’s 2nm technology, coupled with the GAA transistor design, is projected to reduce current leakage and boost drive current, ultimately translating to a 15%–30% reduction in power consumption.
Design and Camera System
The leaked images showcase the Pixel 11 Pro XL’s distinctive camera bar design. The rear camera array will boast a 50MP main sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide lens, and a 48MP periscope telephoto lens capable of 5x optical zoom. Google is also aiming for a substantial upgrade with “sensor cropping,” enabling a 10x ‘optical-quality’ zoom, and pushing the boundaries with a 120x Pro Zoom utilizing AI-powered image processing. The front-facing camera is expected to be a 42MP unit.
Pricing and Availability
Initial pricing is anticipated to start at $1,299 for the 256GB model with 12GB of RAM. Higher storage tiers – 512GB and 1TB – are expected to retail at $1,419 and $1,649 respectively, both equipped with 16GB of RAM. Google is slated to officially unveil the Pixel 11 Pro XL on August 12th during its ‘Made By Google’ event, kicking off at 6 PM EDT.
However, potential buyers should note that the design appears largely consistent with last year's Pixel 6 Pro, and the impending October software support cutoff for Pixel 6 series devices could be a deterrent for some. Considering my existing iPhone 15 Pro Max, the upgrade path feels less compelling this year, and I’m leaning towards retaining my Pixel 6 Pro for another year.
The standout feature this year appears to be the ‘Pixel Glow,’ a subtle ambient light emanating from the back of the device when notifications or calls arrive. This color-coded illumination – each activity triggering a distinct hue – aims to provide discreet alerts even when the phone is placed face-down.