Google effectively confirms Pixel phones will get pricier as memory costs jump

Ahead of the Pixel 11 reveal on 13 August, Google has said its Pixel pricing will have to follow market conditions. In a 9to5Google report, that stance is linked to rising memory costs and to Google's own comments on supply pressure.

Shakil Barkat, Google's vice president of Devices and Services, said the company tried to shield consumers from supply volatility for as long as possible. That suggests a broader rethink for the Pixel line, not just a small tweak to one model.

Google also pointed to a sharp jump in RAM prices. According to Morgan Stanley calculations cited by the company, 1 GB of RAM rose from about $2.8 in 2025 to $12 in 2026. That kind of increase could affect not only premium phones, but also lower tiers.

The company said the current cost pressure may affect the Pixel 11 and some models already on sale. Earlier reports also claimed that Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro could rise by $100, while Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold may go up by another $100.

Another report said Google may drop the 128 GB version of the Pixel 11 and make 256 GB the new base configuration. If that happens, buyers could face a higher starting price and a different entry point for the lineup.

Previously, it was reported that the top-tier version of the foldable Pixel 11 Pro Fold could be priced at $2,249.

What’s a bigger dealbreaker for you: a $100 price hike, or potentially losing the base 128GB version?