Google raises Pixel 11 prices 22% while cutting RAM in Pro models
Pixel 11 phones cost $100 more than predecessors but base Pro models drop from 16GB to 12GB RAM amid component shortage.
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Summary, timeline and people extracted by Claude from 6 items across 4 sources · 13h ago. Quotes are verbatim.
What to know
- Pixel 11 lineup costs $100 more than Pixel 10 models; Pixel Watch 5 costs $50 more, citing severe RAM shortage.
- Base Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL reduced to 12GB RAM from 16GB, though doubled base storage to 256GB partially offsets price hike.
- Google attributes shortage to AI companies' massive datacenter buildout consuming chip and RAM supplies, and claims software optimization maintains performance despite RAM reduction.
- Price increases signal tight memory supply will continue supporting elevated component costs in consumer electronics.
How it unfolded
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A stock analyst noted the price increases as a positive signal for memory chip makers, suggesting tight supply will continue supporting higher component pricing.
“$GOOGL raises Pixel 11 prices by $100 citing a "severe" memory crunch as higher component costs start reaching consumer devices.”
@stocksavvyshay · X ↗ -
Engadget's analysis notes that while increased storage partially offsets the price hike for base models, the RAM reduction in Pro variants could impact demanding tasks. The article attributes the cost increases to soaring component prices driven by AI companies' datacenter expansion.
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Google unveiled Pixel 11, 11 Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold with base prices $100 higher than Pixel 10 equivalents. Base Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL reduced to 12GB RAM (down from 16GB), though standard Pixel 11 and 11 Pro doubled base storage to 256GB. Pixel Watch 5 increased $50.
“The tech industry is navigating a severe, supplier-driven RAM shortage and we will need to adjust Pixel 11 pricing and RAM configurations to mitigate this while delivering maximum value for our customers.”
Google · Press ↗
What people are saying verbatim
“The tech industry is navigating a severe, supplier-driven RAM shortage and we will need to adjust Pixel 11 pricing and RAM configurations to mitigate this while delivering maximum value.”
Google · Engadget ↗
“through software and silicon optimization, you can expect faster and smoother performance from this year's Pro models when compared to last year's comparable 256GB SSD SKUs.”
Google · Engadget ↗
“Bear in mind, Google is a major player in the field of generative AI. A key reason that RAM, storage and chips are far more expensive than they were a year ago is that AI companies are buying up as much of those components as they can to build out their data centers.”
Engadget (analysis) · Engadget ↗
“$GOOGL raises Pixel 11 prices by $100 citing a "severe" memory crunch as higher component costs start reaching consumer devices.”
@stocksavvyshay · X ↗