The Pixel 11 Is Coming — and It Costs More for Arguably Less
Google has confirmed its Made by Google event for 12 August 2026, with the Pixel 11 going on general sale on 20 August. The headline number from a retail leak via Dealabs' billbil-kun, widely reported by Notebookcheck and others: the Pixel 11 will start at £879 in the UK — £80 more than the Pixel 10 at launch. The base storage tier shifts to 256GB, so the entry-level 128GB option disappears entirely.
That price rise would be easier to swallow with a meaningful spec upgrade. But the Pixel 11 rumour mill has been dominated by something else: a possible cut to 8GB of RAM on the standard model, down from 12GB on the Pixel 10. That single spec point changes the value calculation considerably — and it's the main reason the refurbished Pixel 10 deserves a serious look right now.
Why the RAM Rumour Actually Matters
Modern Pixels run a lot of their intelligence directly on the device rather than in the cloud — live translation, call screening, photo processing, and increasingly, Gemini-powered AI features. These models sit in memory while they run, and Google's own requirements for Gemini Intelligence specify a minimum of 12GB of RAM. The Pixel 10 ships with 12GB across the board and meets that threshold comfortably.
If the base Pixel 11 ships with 8GB, it would fall short of Google's own requirement — meaning the headline AI feature Google is marketing hardest could be unavailable on its cheapest new phone. Several sources including Android Central and Android Headlines have flagged this, and it's generated sustained debate on r/GooglePixel. To be clear: this is an unconfirmed leak, not a done deal. Google hasn't commented, and final specs may differ. But it's a risk worth weighing before you spend £879.
There's also a modem change rumoured — the Pixel 11 is said to drop the Samsung Exynos modem in favour of a MediaTek M90, paired with a new Tensor G6 chip built on a 2nm process. If that modem swap delivers on the connectivity complaints that have dogged Pixels for years, it would be a genuine improvement. That's the one hardware argument for waiting. But it won't be confirmed until 12 August at the earliest.
Is the Pixel 10 better value than the Pixel 11?
Right now, yes — particularly on the refurbished market. The Pixel 10 offers 12GB of RAM, a 50MP main camera, full Gemini Intelligence compatibility, and seven years of guaranteed Android updates from Google. Refurbished SIM-free examples are already available in the UK from around £390, a significant gap below the Pixel 11's leaked £879 new price. You get a phone that handles everything Google's AI platform currently offers, at less than half the cost of the incoming model. The design is near-identical and the display, screen size, and core camera system are all closely matched to what the Pixel 11 is rumoured to carry forward.
If you want to browse what's available now, the refurbished Google Pixel range at Tech4Cash includes verified, PhoneCheck-certified devices with warranty — worth comparing against new pricing before committing.
Will the Pixel 10 get cheaper when the Pixel 11 launches?
Almost certainly, yes — in terms of new retail pricing. Google has a consistent pattern of discounting the previous flagship once the new model lands. When the Pixel 10 launched, Pixel 9 prices dropped at retail; when the Pixel 9 arrived, the Pixel 8 series was cut. That means anyone buying a brand-new Pixel 10 today is paying a price that's likely to fall by £50–£100 within weeks of the Pixel 11 going on sale.
On the refurbished side, the dynamic is slightly different. Prices tend to dip briefly around a new launch as older trade-ins flood the market, then stabilise once supply settles. That brief dip can be a good buying window — but the premium models in good condition don't hang around. If you're in the market for a Pixel 10 and aren't in a rush, the period immediately after 20 August is worth watching.
Pixel 9 Owners: The Window to Sell Is Closing
What is my Google Pixel 9 worth before the Pixel 11 comes out?
More than it will be worth in six weeks. That's the honest answer. UK resale data from CompareandRecycle found that Pixel 9 series devices averaged around 60% depreciation over their first year on the market — one of the steeper depreciation curves among Android flagships. A Pixel 9 that launched at £799 has already absorbed most of that initial drop, but there's a secondary dip that tends to happen each August when Google's new hardware dominates the headlines: buyer attention shifts, trade-in values soften, and anything two generations old becomes harder to shift at a decent price.
Right now, Grade A refurbished Pixel 9 handsets are still changing hands in the UK market at reasonable values. Once the Pixel 11 is announced and Google pushes Pixel 10 trade-in promotions to drive new sales, that floor tends to move down. The practical advice: if you're planning to sell your Pixel 9 anyway, do it before 12 August rather than after.
Tech4Cash collects from doorsteps across the North East and Manchester, verifies devices with PhoneCheck, and pays instantly. If you want a quick quote before the launch cycle hits, head to the sell my phone page to see what your Pixel 9 is worth today.
What to Actually Do Right Now
- Buying a Pixel and don't need the newest chip: A refurbished Pixel 10 is the practical choice. It meets all current AI requirements, costs significantly less than the Pixel 11 new, and will receive software updates into the early 2030s.
- Tempted by the Pixel 11: Wait for the 12 August announcement. Don't commit to £879 until Google confirms the RAM configuration — if the base model ships with 8GB, the Pixel 10 becomes an even clearer winner for anyone who wants Google's full AI feature set.
- Holding a Pixel 9 or older: Sell before the launch. Values will soften once the Pixel 11 takes over the conversation and Google pushes promotional trade-in deals on Pixel 10s.
The Pixel 11 might turn out to be a worthwhile upgrade — particularly if the modem change fixes connectivity for good. But based on what's leaked so far, paying £80 more for a phone that may ship with less RAM and no entry-level 128GB option is a tough sell. The refurbished Pixel 10 doesn't need the Pixel 11 to be bad to look good. It just needs to exist at the right price — and right now, it does.
Take a look at the current refurbished Google Pixel stock, or if you want to understand exactly how we grade the devices we sell, the condition guide explains what each grade actually means before you buy.
