The Google Pixel 11 series is set to be announced on August 12th, but with back to school season upon us, you may not want to wait any longer to buy that smartphone you've been eyeing.

Last year's Google Pixel 10 Pro continues to reign as one of the best Android phones on the market today, and now you can get one for FREE by adding a new line with an eligible data plan at Verizon.

The carrier's Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, and Unlimited Ultimate plans will all earn you the full $999.99 in savings over 36 months, making this one of the best Verizon deals I've seen all year. No trade-in required!

Although many new phone releases feel somewhat iterative these days, Google bucked that trend by making the Pixel 10 Pro a significant upgrade from its predecessor. Straight out of the box, the phone boasts a lovely and compact 6.3-inch pOLED display — the same size as the base model Pixel 10 — while under the hood you get a hefty 16GB of RAM, outstanding performance from the Tensor G5 processor, and seven years of guaranteed OS and security upgrades.

The Pixel 10 Pro also comes packed with the latest exclusive AI-boosted software features from Gemini, including Voice Translate for Calls (a godsend when traveling), Magic Cue, Edit with Ask Photos, and more. Moreover, you get all of the features we've come to expect from Pixel phones, like excellent haptics and versatile camera tech, plus you get to enjoy some new additions like Pixelsnap Qi2 support.

All things said and done, if you're a Verizon user (or willing to switch), this is an excellent Google Pixel 10 Pro deal that comes with surprisingly little fine print attached. Sure, buying an unlocked device may be more straightforward, but if you need a new wireless plan any way, why not give Verizon a shot and get an incredible Android phone out of the deal??

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Pricing and availability

Google is all set to launch the Pixel 11 Pro Fold on August 12, and that is when we'll get official confirmation of what the foldable will cost. That said, a massive Pixel 11 leak gave us a good indication of the pricing, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is set to cost $1,899 for the 256GB model.

Coincidentally, the Razr Fold also retails for $1,899 in the U.S., but you're getting 512GB of storage as standard. While that's a lot of cash towards a phone, you get decent trade-in deals and carrier subsidies, so you don't have to shell out the entire amount in one go unless you're buying unlocked.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Design

I really like Google's design aesthetic, but I will admit that Motorola did a great job with the Razr Fold. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold was unwieldy to use because of its weight and size, and thankfully, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is set to address that; Google is said to be shaving the weight and thickness of the foldable. That's good news, because it would make the Pixel 11 Pro Fold in line with its immediate rivals.

The Razr Fold has a distinctive design thanks to the camera island, and I like Motorola's color and materials choices. The foldable looks and feels like a high-end device, and while it is heavy at 243, the weight is distributed evenly, so it isn't uncomfortable to hold. Another plus point is that the Razr Fold is just as thin as the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and the Find N6, and this makes holding and using it that much more enjoyable.

Where the Pixel 11 Pro Fold should have an advantage is ingress protection; it should retain IP68 dust and water resistance that we saw on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Motorola also does a decent enough job, with the Razr Fold getting IP48 and IP49 resistance.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Specs

Google is finally set to address long-standing issues with its Pixels with the introduction of the Pixel 11. This is by way of the Tensor G6 platform, which is built on a new 2nm node. The node shift will bring inherent efficiency gains, but what I'm excited about is the switch to new cores, which will allow the Pixel 11 Pro Fold to be that much faster — and better at gaming. This has been a sore point on Google's devices for a long time now, and I can't wait to get my hands on the Pixel 11 Pro Fold to see how it holds up against the likes of the Find N6 and Vivo X Fold 5.

If anything, Motorola also went a conservative route with the Razr Fold. Instead of Qualcomm's best silicon, the foldable gets the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, so it doesn't quite have the best possible chipset available. That said, it isn't slow in daily use, and it does a decent job with demanding games as well. But it just rubs me the wrong way to see anything other than flagship silicon on an $1,899 phone.

Now, where the Razr Fold has an unquestionable advantage is with battery life. Thanks to a massive 6,000mAh battery, the foldables lasts over a day regularly. What's also great is that Motorola is using silicon-carbon tech, which we just haven't seen a lot of in the U.S. until now. This allows better density and durability, and the Razr Fold gets much better charging as well: it uses Motorola's 80W tech.

Google is said to be lowering the battery size on the Pixel 11 Pro Fold to 4,800mAh, and I think this is the wrong move. Of course, we will need to wait and see if the leaks pan out, but a foldable needs to have at least a 5,000mAh battery, and I want Google to do better this year.

Similarly, cameras are an area where the Pixel 11 Pro Fold must do better than its predecessor. Take the Razr Fold; Motorola outfitted it with the same cameras as the Signature, and it does an excellent job with photos and videos.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs. Motorola Razr Fold: Which should you buy?

With the Pixel 11 Pro Fold projected to cost about the same as the Razr Fold, pricing isn't going to be the point of difference. Instead, it will be about the features. I really like what Motorola did with the Razr Fold; it has a great design, standout cameras, and a huge battery.

Google will need to offer those things with the Pixel 11 Pro Fold as well — these are table stakes features at this point. The software is also a big selling point, and Motorola does well here too; its UI is clean, and you get a decent amount of extras. That said, Google has a sizeable edge with the software, and I'm excited to see what the Pixel 11 Pro Fold has to deliver in this area.

The Google Pixel 11 family is right around the corner, and that means now is a great time to start considering whether you're going to upgrade to this year's phone, or save money and grab last year's best with a solid deal (or a second-hand offer).

In a year with rapidly rising technology prices, 2026 might be the best year ever to consider buying last year's phone, especially with the rumor that Google isn't giving the Pixel 11 Pro XL a massive overhaul. If you're choosing between the Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro XL, or are considering upgrading year-over-year, here's everything you need to know!

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL: Design and display

The Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro XL will likely look identical at a glance, but at least one key change will catch your eye and make you at least a tiny bit jealous. I'm talking about Pixel Glow, a new type of LED that appears on the Pixel 11's camera bar, seemingly as part of the camera flash unit.

Google may be taking a page from Nothing with this new initiative, likely offering ways to light up the camera bar whenever you receive notifications, talk to Gemini, or interact with specific apps or features on your Pixel 11.

I've already received Pixel 11 cases from Thinborne, one of Android Central's favorite case manufacturers, and the changes seen here showcase what we can expect from Pixel Glow. That lip around the camera island is where the subtle LED glow should emit from, and it's going to give Pixel 11 a unique look among all smartphones.

Elsewhere, we see subtle changes in microphone placement and a slight downward shift of the power and volume buttons on the Pixel 11.

We expect the Pixel 11 Pro XL to feature the same built-in MagSafe-compatible Pixelsnap magnets, so you won't need a case to use the best MagSafe accessories for Android phones.

Based on rumors, we're not expecting any major changes to the Pixel 11 Pro XL's display, although it may receive a slight peak brightness bump as Pixels have in the past. Google has been good about introducing new display accessibility features, like Comfort Filters and last year's "sensitive eyes" feature, so I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised by the PWM dimming rate at the August 12 event.

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL: Battery life, performance, and specs

All signs point to the Pixel 11 Pro XL being the most efficient phone in Pixel history. The more efficient Tensor G6 and the new MediaTek modem inside the Pixel 11 Pro XL are said to bring a 20-30% improvement in efficiency. This, plus a slight improvement in battery capacity, should be a great upgrade over any previous Pixel phone.

The Tensor G6 processor expected to power the Pixel 11 Pro XL should be manufactured on a 2nm process, resulting in performance gains of around 15% in daily use. Google is also said to be using a newer PowerVR GPU that's compatible with Vulkan 1.4, so mobile games will look and run better than on the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL: Camera and software

Despite some awesome new features, I was largely unimpressed with the Pixel 10 Pro XL's camera last year. While it still did a great job of capturing objects in motion (like kids and pets), I found the telephoto camera strangely unreliable.

Hopefully, Google fixes these problems in the Pixel 11 Pro XL and gets back to that top-tier Pixel camera experience. Google still needs to work on its video recording quality, which was substantially improved with the Pixel 10 Pro XL, but continues to lag behind rivals like Apple and Samsung.

Pixels regularly make headlines with buggy updates and major problems, and it's generally a bad look for Google's otherwise great brand. Pixel Drop updates bring new features every quarter, and I hate to see this sort of support marred by carelessness.

I fully expect the Pixel 11 Pro XL to launch with some exclusive features, but Google is usually good about bringing those features to older Pixel phones after some time. So while Pixel 10 Pro XL users may have to wait to get any fancy new features announced in August, it's almost certain they won't miss out.

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL: Which should you buy?

I'm going to hedge my bets and say the Pixel 10 Pro XL will be a better buy given the price increases we're seeing on this year's new smartphones. Undoubtedly, the Pixel 11 Pro XL's new processor, GPU, larger battery, and fancy new lights on the back will be great reasons to upgrade, but I'm not sure they'll make the gulf in price worthwhile for most people.

Google is expected to unveil its newest flagship lineup on August 12th, but if you don't want to wait, there are some exceptional Pixel 10 deals that are available NOW. Head to Amazon today and you can score $300 off the Google Pixel 10 Pro, a limited time offer that drops the price of the super-powered flagship down to just $699. That's $100 cheaper than the starting price of the base model Google Pixel 10!

Considering that the upcoming Pixel 11 is getting a price increase and it isn't expected to be a massive overhaul from its predecessor, I would seriously consider this deal if you're in the market for an unlocked smartphone.

After all, 2025's Google Pixel 10 Pro is still considered to be one of the best Android phones on the market, and its seven-year software update promise means it will be a long time before it even begins to feel obsolete. 

The Google Pixel 10 Pro takes the compact frame of the base model Pixel 10 and packs in a ton of premium hardware and software features under the hood. Straight out of the carton, you'll behold a lovely 6.3-inch Super Actua OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and IP68 water-and-dust protection. 

The phone comes loaded with 16GB of RAM and the powerful Tensor G5 chipset, plus you get versatile cameras, unrivalled haptics, and all of the latest AI tricks from Gemini. Google even added Qi2 wireless charging support. 

The big question, of course, is whether or not you should buy the discounted Pixel 10 Pro today or wait for the Google Pixel 11 to be unveiled on August 12th. We don't have a lot of confirmed information yet, but if the latest leaks and rumors are to be believed, the 2026 version of the phone isn't expected to feature many dramatic upgrades over its predecessor. 

You'll get a new Tensor G6 chipset and an upgraded battery, for sure, but does that justify the $1,099 price tag? Only time will tell. There is a good chance that many retailers will be offering some impressive preorder discounts starting August 12th, so it's up to you whether you'd like to take the chance and wait for a good Google Pixel 11 deal to come along.

Google has officially confirmed that the 2026 Made by Google event will be held on August 12th in London, which means we're likely just weeks away from the launch of the Pixel 11 lineup.

While many folks can hardly wait for the new phones to drop, the arrival of a new generation has led some Android users to wonder if now is a good time to pick up last year's model, the Google Pixel 10.

While Pixel 10 deals have become more common in recent months, the answer may not be as cut-and-dry as you think. Should you buy the Pixel 10 today or wait for the new generation to launch? Let's discuss.

What we know

The Google Pixel 11 lineup is expected to be announced on August 12th at 6pm EST during the 2026 Made by Google event. According to the latest rumors, the flagship lineup is going to include four phones: the base model Pixel 11, the Pixel 11 Pro, the Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold.

Unfortunately, Google hasn't been exempt from the memory shortage that has been impacting tech prices this year, which means most of the phones will be seeing a $100 price increase in 2026. Here are the new prices for each phone, according to the latest leaks and rumors:

• Google Pixel 11: $899 / €999
• Google Pixel 11 Pro: $1,099 / €1,199
• Google Pixel 11 Pro XL: $1,299 / €1,399
• Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold: $1,899/ €1,999
  
  (Prices displayed are for the 256GB starting configuration. Google is reportedly ditching the 128GB of base storage this year.)

Those prices are pretty daunting in this day and age, and it doesn't help that the Pixel 11 series isn't expected to be a dramatic upgrade from its predecessor, according to the latest reports. You get the new Tensor G6 processor, yes, plus the rumored LED light array that is expected to border the phones' camera bar (which is admittedly quite cool).

Aside from that, however, the upgrades appear to be largely iterative, which returns us to our original questions: is it worth skipping the Google Pixel 11 and grabbing last year's Pixel 10 instead? If so, will the Google Pixel 10 get cheaper once the new generation launches, or should I buy it today?

Is the Google Pixel 10 about to get cheaper?

While some Android phones do get permanent price drops when a new generation launches, it's just as likely that the Google Pixel 10 will be completely sold out by the time the 2026 phones hit store shelves next month. Think about it this way: when was the last time you saw a great deal on a Google Pixel 9 that wasn't refurbished?

This is because retailers generally try to make room for new devices prior to their launch, which means they will often discount last year's model right before its successor arrives. In other words, if you want to buy the Google Pixel 10, now is a good time to do it.

Fortunately, there are plenty of active Google Pixel 10 deals that could make the 2024 flagships dirt cheap (or even free) if you play your cards right. Stock is already running low, however, so don't wait too long if a particular offer catches your eye.

If you do miss these last-minute Pixel 10 offers, don't worry too much: the launch of the Google Pixel 11 series is sure to come with some incredible preorder deals in tow, and I'll be covering all of those promotions as they go live.

Whichever generation you choose, you can rest easy knowing you're getting a great Android phone with a sophisticated design, versatile cameras, and all of the latest AI-boosted software tricks straight out of the box.

The top Google Pixel 10 deals this week

If you missed all of the festivities during Prime Day last month, you're in luck: the Google Pixel Watch 4 just scored another $100 discount at Amazon, returning the LTE version of the beloved wearable back down to its lowest price ever recorded. 

The discount comes just weeks before the expected unveiling of the new Pixel Watch 5, but if you don't need the latest gadgets on the market, this is an awesome way to save some serious cash on one of the best Android smartwatches ever built. 

We gave the Google Pixel Watch 4 4.5 out of 5 stars in our review last October, and it isn't hard to see why. Straight out of the box, the watch sports a lovely water-droplet-inspired design with a domed 3,000-nit display and a 5ATM / IP68 water-and-dust resistance rating. 

Things get even more impressive under the hood, as the Pixel Watch 4 is powered by a Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 processor with 2GB of RAM and some fantastic Wear OS software. In addition to all of the latest health and fitness tracking technology powered by Fitbit, the watch features dual-frequency GPS tracking, upgraded battery life with lightning-fast charging speeds, and all of the Gemini features you'd expect from a Pixel device in 2026. 

So yes, it's a great smartwatch, but let's address the elephant in the room. Should you buy the Google Pixel Watch 4 now that it's on sale, or should you wait for the Pixel Watch 5 to be revealed on August 12th? 

I'll start by saying that, unlike the upcoming Pixel 11 phones, we don't know a lot about the Pixel Watch 5 just yet. In fact, one of the only reputable bits of information that we do have so far is that the new watch is expected to have a price increase of $50 for the Wi-Fi version and $100 for the LTE variant.

I'm sure that the Pixel Watch 5 will come with some new features and a boost in performance/battery life to offset the price hike, but it's unlikely to be a dramatic transformation from its predecessor. So in conclusion, unless you're a passionate Pixel fan who needs the latest and great gadgets from the OEM, if you simply want a reliable smartwatch today, I'd grab the Pixel Watch 4 while it's on sale.

Samsung debuted its latest flagship, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, back in March, and it's been a real hit. The company saw a huge uptick in preorder demand thanks to the Ultra's new Privacy Display and other great features.

But Google's latest releases are right around the corner, with the Pixel 11 family debuting on August 12. The Pixel 11 Pro XL is rumored to bring notable improvements in processing speed and power efficiency, plus a fun design addition that incorporates LEDs into the camera bar on the back. Here's how to choose between them.

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Design

For this comparison, I'm going to use the Pixel 10 Pro XL since we're not expecting any major size or design changes from Google's Pixel 11 Pro XL.

Both the Pixel and Galaxy S lines feature flat sides and fully flat glass on the front and back surfaces. Google uses more rounded corners and edges on its phones, making them more comfortable to hold without a case.

Pixels also use a horizontal camera bar, which provides a better balance and prevents the device from wobbling when placed on a table. Most cases aren't thick enough to fix the Galaxy S26 Ultra's annoyingly off-balance design.

We're expecting the Pixel 11 Pro XL to add a new Pixel Glow LED in the camera bar, which will light up when you talk to Gemini or display an array of colors. Pixels also feature Pixelsnap, which are built-in magnets that work with MagSafe accessories. If you want this functionality on a Galaxy S26 Ultra, you'll need to get one of the best cases for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

But Samsung's S Pen might be a more useful feature for folks who love to take handwritten notes. While the Galaxy S26 Ultra's S Pen lacks the cool Bluetooth features of previous Galaxy S Ultra S Pens, it's still a handy tool for precision input.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has the new Privacy Display, which makes it difficult for people to view your screen at an angle. Privacy Display is one of the coolest display innovations we've seen in years, but it comes with some significant drawbacks. The Galaxy S26 Ultra's screen doesn't look as crisp as the Pixel 10 Pro XL's, and it also sports lower brightness and a chromatic aberration-like effect.

Pixel 11 Pro XL users can achieve a similar effect by using a privacy-tempered glass protector on their phones, like this one for the Pixel 10 Pro XL, but Samsung's built-in privacy function lets you dim specific types of content on-screen. A tempered glass protector will dim the whole thing at an angle.

Neither of these phones' displays is suitable for people with PWM sensitivity since they use very slow dimming rates. Samsung's Privacy Display also seems to cause headaches and discomfort in a different group of people. These problems don't affect everyone, but they make the phones unusable for people who are affected.

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Battery life, performance, and specs

Both phones are expected to feature the same 5,000mAh battery cell, and with the more efficient Tensor G6 and the new MediaTek modem inside the Pixel 11 Pro XL, the Pixel may actually match the Galaxy S26 Ultra's battery life.

Samsung improved charging speed on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but we haven't seen any rumors of charging upgrades on the Pixel 11 Pro XL. Likewise, the Pixel is still expected to use a slower chipset than the Galaxy S26 Ultra, making it a poorer choice for mobile gaming.

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Camera and software

Last year, my Pixel 10 camera review showed how close Samsung was getting to Google's historically superior camera experience, but this year could be anyone's game. In my Galaxy S26 Ultra camera review, I found that the phone's ultrawide camera and portrait modes left a bit to be desired, and this is an area where Google may once again overtake Samsung.

While I expect the Pixel 11 Pro XL to take a slight lead in photo quality over the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Samsung has historically offered better video recording quality.

If one thing is clear, Google is behind Samsung's software quality. Samsung's One UI is not only the most full-featured Android skin on the market, but it's also one of the best-supported and often most bug-free.

Google packs Pixel phones with cool features like Magic Cue and call screening, but Samsung offers most of them. Google often adds new features via quarterly Pixel Drops but doesn't always keep them around for long, and new experimental features cause big problems more often than we'd like.

Additionally, you can choose to limit AI processing on the Galaxy S26 Ultra to local-only processing (and off the cloud), while the Pixel offers no such option.

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Which should you buy?

For most people, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is likely the better buy, since you're getting the best from both Google and Samsung in one premium phone. That said, the Pixel 11's August 12 announcement will settle the argument, and we'll see if users prefer the S Pen or this mysterious Pixel Glow. Barring a huge surprise that hasn't been leaked yet, I'm confident Samsung's best will still be the champ between these two choices.

What you need to know

• Google Store's official Pixel 11 teaser highlights its Pixel Glow design, which sits inside the camera bar beside the phone's camera lenses.
• Google describes the video as showcasing an "olive and coral Pixel 11 Pro phone."
• The company sent its invitations, confirming its Made by Google event will take place on August 12 at 6 pm ET in New York.

Pixel Glow has been a more intriguing topic in the world of Pixel 11 rumors. However, after the company's storefront teaser, we have something a little more substantial.

The Google Store is getting ready for the Pixel 11 in August. The company's Pixel 11/Made by Google event teaser page has been updated with a new animation. As the animation rolls on, we're now able to see Pixel Glow's LED indicator beside the phone's camera lenses. This confirms that Google is placing Pixel Glow inside its iconic camera bar.

There's still a lot we're curious about, but the animation suggests Pixel Glow will offer a soft, multi-colored LED experience. What's more, my colleague Derrek Lee got crafty. Inspecting the page revealed a little more about the device we're looking at. According to his discovery, Google says this video shows "The side view of an olive and coral Pixel 11 Pro phone."

It's difficult to make out the color of the phone in question. All we're treated to, much like its emailed invitations, are phones with a gold or rose gold finish along the camera bar and sides. At the least, we can (potentially) take this as confirmation that there will be olive and coral variations of the Pixel 11 Pro. Google teases once more that pre-orders for the Pixel 11 will begin on August 12.

We've been wondering

Rumors about Pixel Glow have had us speculating about its design for months. Android Central's Nicholas Sutrich made the mockup you see above. We hoped that Google would create a ring of RGB lights around the camera bar. In our heads, it would make the phone pop even more. That hope continued with users online after Google I/O 2026. Social media was buzzing after a Gemini Omni teaser showed a model holding a Pixel phone with a glowing camera bar.

Everyone wondered, "Could this be Pixel Glow?" The odds were stacked against this theory. It was a segment about Google's AI, for one. Moreover, the phone looked like it was in a case, and the glow was coming from the case. Rumors had also evolved, claiming Google might opt for an RGB LED dot in the camera bar, replacing the temperature sensor.

Google confirmed earlier this month that the Pixel 11 series will debut on August 12 at 6 p.m. ET in New York.

Android Central's Take

I feel like the design Google's gone with keeps things... classy? There's a chance that a full LED ring around the phone's camera bar makes it stick out too much. Perhaps it takes away from the Pixel design in an unnatural way. Still, I think it would've been sick, but that's the gamer in me. Regardless, an LED dot like this has its uses. I think back to Nothing's Glyph Matrix or Glyph Bar. The lights mean something. So, how will Pixel Glow be helpful?

The Google Pixel 10 series includes three flagship phones — the base model Pixel 10, the Pixel 10 Pro, and the large Pixel 10 Pro XL. Regardless of which device you choose, there are plenty of deals that could make these AI-boosted Android phones dirt cheap (or even free) if you play your cards right, and I've dropped a selection of this month's best offers below.

The deals on display for July 2026 range from simple no-strings discounts to incredible trade-in opportunities and carrier promotions. Didn't find anything today? Check back later to see what's new: with the launch of the Pixel 11 lineup just around the corner, deals on last year's model are certain to get even more impressive in the coming weeks. So what are we waiting for? Let's jump right in.

Quick links

• Google Pixel 10 review: ★★★☆
• Google Pixel 10 Pro, XL review: ★★★☆
• T-Mobile: FREE Pixel 10 Pro; up to $1,000 off Pixel 10 Pro XL
• Verizon: Pixel 10 Pro XL from $5 per month; trade-in savings
• Mint Mobile: $650 off the Google Pixel 10, 50% off wireless
• AT&T: FREE Pixel 10 phones with eligible trade-in, new line
• Amazon: up to $300 off the Pixel 10 series
• Best Buy: up to $300 off the Pixel 10 series
• Boost Mobile: up to $700 off with eligible unlimited plan

Google Pixel 10 deals

Google Pixel 10 Pro deals

Google Pixel 10 Pro XL deals

FAQ

When does the Google Pixel 11 come out?

Although we don't know much for certain, recent leaks and rumors about the Google Pixel 11 series have left very little to the imagination. That said, Google has officially announced that the next Made by Google event will be held on August 12th at 6pm EST, which means we're likely to get our first look at the Pixel 11 lineup on that date.

How much does the Google Pixel 10 cost?

The Google Pixel 10 starts at $799 for the 128GB version, while the Pixel 10 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro XL start at $999 (128GB) and $1,199 (256GB), respectively. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the base model Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro both kept the same starting price as their Pixel 9 counterparts, which feels somewhat unusual in a time of widespread price increases on tech. The Pixel 10 Pro XL, on the other hand, did receive a $100 price hike while removing the 128GB storage option.

If you want something affordable, it's also worth mentioning that the Google Pixel 10a is an option for budget-minded consumers, retailing for just $499. There's also the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which is a premium foldable phone that starts at a hefty $1,799.

Which Google Pixel 10 should I buy?

It depends on what you're looking for in a smartphone. All three devices in the flagship lineup will give you ultra-efficient performance with powerful cameras and a bunch of fun AI features, but that doesn't mean that all three of the devices are made equal.

Starting at $799, the Google Pixel 10 will give you the perfect entry-level experience, with a 6.3-inch OLED display, 12GB of RAM, and a long-lasting 4,970mAh battery. If you need a bit more power, you can upgrade to the Pixel 10 Pro and receive 16GB of RAM, better camera tech, and up to 1TB of storage. The Pixel 10 Pro XL is very similar to the standard Pixel 10 Pro, you just get a larger 6.8-inch Super Actua OLED display with a considerable boost in battery size.

No matter which Google Pixel 10 model you choose, all three devices boast the Tensor G5 chipset with a ton of AI-boosted software features and seven years of software support guaranteed. Check the table below for some more granular info on the flagship series.

The Pixel 10 is one of our favorite smartphones of 2025, but now that we approach the Pixel 11 launch, I'm taking a speculative look at both phones to determine whether it's worth upgrading from the Pixel 10. Or at least which phone you should consider buying.

For now, we don't have any official information on the Pixel 11, aside from rumors and leaks. Fortunately, there have been plenty of both, allowing us to paint a pretty good picture of what to expect. And having reviewed the Pixel 10 myself, I'm more than interested to see what upgrades Google is bringing to its successor.

Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 10: More of the same design with one illuminating mystery

From the leaks we've seen, the Pixel 11 won't look much different from the Pixel 10. The dimensions are supposedly very similar, although the Pixel 11 may be a hair thinner. The Pixel 10 is already pretty thick, so we welcome any way Google can reduce that, especially given the battery bump.

More noticeable design changes may appear on the rear. The camera visor appears to have removed the aluminum bit housing the camera flash on the Pixel 10. Instead, the entire housing appears to be covered in glass for a more uniform look.

There's also the matter of this mysterious Pixel Glow. We're not entirely sure what this is, but based on Google's Pixel 11 teaser on the Google Store, it appears to be part of the LED flash unit within the camera bar, serving as a colorful indicator light (not a light bar as previous rumors suggested). This could be an indicator for notifications or AI interactions, similar to what we expect with the upcoming Googlebooks.

There's also a chance this won't be available on the base model, but I have my fingers crossed!

On the front, the display won't change much either. It will likely remain a 6.3-inch OLED panel, and Google may improve display brightness, as companies usually do with each generation. With any luck, Google could include some of the accessibility features introduced with the Pixel 10 Pro, but we won't hold our breath.

Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 10: Rumored specs point to some important changes

The biggest changes to the Pixel 11 will mostly be under the hood. The phone is expected to be powered by the Tensor G6, likely a 2nm chipset built by TSMC, which should make it more efficient. I didn't have many problems with the Pixel 10's performance, but any improvements here are welcome.

One benefit of the Tensor G6 may be a new MediaTek-built modem. This could mean we'll see marked improvements in connectivity, which users often complain about on Pixel phones with Samsung modems.

Interestingly, the Pixel 11 may come with an outdated GPU, so you probably won't count on it for heavy gaming. Fortunately, compatibility should improve, especially after the Pixel 10 initially lacked updated GPU drivers, which made games look a little wonky.

Unfortunately, there probably won't be much in the way of battery gains, but I didn't have any issues with battery life on the Pixel 10. I hope Google improves charging speeds from the Pixel 10's 30W wired and 15W Qi2 wireless, but I won't hold my breath.

One thing I'm excited to see with the Pixel 11 is the new base storage. These days, 128GB just doesn't cut it for a flagship, so I'm happy to see that 256GB may become the new standard. Unfortunately, this may come with a higher price tag for the base Pixel 11, with rumors pointing to a $100 increase to $899.

Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 10: How will the Pixel 11 enhance the software and AI experience?

One good thing about Pixels is that the software experience will be pretty much the same across models. The Pixel 10 adopts Material 3 Expressive, so it's very colorful and full of fun shapes. I actually enjoyed the Pixel software experience for the first time with Android 16, thanks to improvements like the customizable Quick Settings menu and the notification organizer.

That extends to the AI experience, which has been enhanced with the Tensor G5 chip. Google introduced some neat new AI features, like Camera Coach and automation that lets Gemini place orders for rideshares and food deliveries on your behalf. And with features like Gemini Live, the Pixel 10 is the full package.

The Pixel 11 will no doubt improve upon the software and AI experience, especially with Gemini Intelligence set to arrive this summer. The Pixel 10 will likely receive many of these features as part of the upgraded AI experience, but a new chipset could bring exclusive capabilities to the Pixel 11.

For now, we don't know what features the Pixel 11 will launch with aside from the potential Pixel Glow light array. It's expected to launch with Android 17 out of the box, and since we're still waiting on some previously announced features to arrive, there's a good chance they'll come with the Pixel 11.

Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 10: Welcome camera improvements in tow

Last year's Pixel 10 featured a 48MP primary camera "downgrade," although it still took great photos. Thanks to the addition of a third 5x telephoto sensor, zoom photos were excellent. For the Pixel 11, rumors suggest Google is returning to a 50MP primary sensor, which could improve noise reduction and low-light performance.

Overall, we could see minor improvements in image quality compared to the Pixel 10. However, I would like to see the Pixel 11 receive the same camera features as the Pro models, since the Pixel 10 missed out on a few.

Google Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 10: So should you upgrade?

If you already have the Pixel 10, I expect there will be little reason to upgrade to the Pixel 11. The Tensor G5 is a very capable chipset and will likely support most of the new features coming to the Pixel 11. And even so, I doubt any new features will be enough to convince many to swap their device.

Plus, with seven years of OS upgrades and security patches, the Pixel 10 still has a lot of life left in it.

Still, the Pixel 11 may be a good phone to consider for anyone who doesn't own a Pixel 10. That is, if you can handle the rumored base price increase (which will likely include double the storage, mind you). Perhaps if you're coming from a Pixel 9 or earlier, the Pixel 11 could be worth the upgrade, especially if it means you're getting a third camera lens.

What you need to know

• Google announces that it's running an open enrollment period for its Pixel Care Plus program for customers with a Pixel 9 or 10 device.
• Users who skipped out on this plan before can get it now; however, users have from July 14 to August 2 before this "limited-time" chance is gone.
• Pixel Care Plus gives customers $0 screen and battery repairs, unlimited accidental damage protection, and more.

Like everything in tech, device makers often provide protection plans that consumers can pay for. Google's version is typically offered within a narrow window, but it's now available to everyone who skipped it at checkout.

Open enrollment arrives for Pixel Care Plus this week. Google announced the open period in a Keyword post. The company states that from July 14 to August 2, consumers who purchased a Pixel 9 series (including Pixel 9a) or Pixel 10 series phone (including Pixel 10a) qualify for a "limited-time opportunity." Consumers with one of these models can add Pixel Care Plus protection to cover any damage.

Google states consumers enrolling in Pixel Care Plus through this open period will be awarded "$0 screen and battery repairs, unlimited accidental damage protection, and optional loss and theft coverage." However, while this is open to quite a decent cast of phones, Google says that not everyone qualifies.

It's great if you have a Pixel 9 or 10 series phone, but Google needs to ensure that you're a U.S. customer and that your device "is in good working condition." In layman's terms, your Pixel 9 or 10 needs to be "fully functioning and free from cracks, mechanical defects or liquid damage." If your device checks out, you're good to go.

Google directs users to the My Pixel app or its online store to add Pixel Care Plus protection.

Another chance

Pixel Care Plus was first announced last summer, shortly after the Pixel 10 series launched. The plan replaced Google's old Preferred Care and Fi Device Protection for U.S. customers. With Pixel Care Plus, consumers receive $0 screen/battery repairs and post-warranty malfunction claims, priority support, and a few more goodies. As previously stated, customers usually have a limited window to grab a protection plan for their new device.

This window of opportunity typically lasts 60 days from the phone's purchase. Google made sure to highlight last summer that Care Plus customers were eligible for free "upgraded shipping" during repairs. Priority Support is another perk. Customers can speak to Google's experts about any issues. Preferred Care and Fi Device Protection in the U.S. were migrated from those older plans to Google's updated offerings.

Android Central's Take

This a mini-event that's pretty good to capture. To break things down, Google offers monthly coverage for a Pixel 10 Pro XL at $13, $239 for two-year protection. Having protection for a device you use every day for calls, scrolling, gaming, what-have-you, isn't a bad idea. But not everyone splurges on that sort of thing amidst the assortment of other bills we have to pay. But, hey, here's a chance if you've ever felt like you should've gotten it at checkout.

Just yesterday, I was putting together a guide to the best Google Pixel 10 deals on the web, and I remember being disappointed that Mint Mobile wasn't running any kind of promotion on the flagship phones. Fortunately, my prayers were answered overnight, as the T-Mobile-owned wireless carrier is now running one of the best Pixel 10 promotions I've ever seen.

For a limited time, if you bundle the purchase of the Pixel 10 with one year of the Unlimited plan, Mint will give you $650 off the phone AND 50% off the wireless. That means you're getting a full 12 months of unlimited talk, text, and data alongside a powerful Android phone for a single payment of $329 (or $28/month if you use affirm). It's as simple as that.

There's a bit of urgency here, however. With the arrival of the Google Pixel 11 series slated for August 12th, Mint Mobile can't have that many Pixel 10 phones left in stock. In other words, once this deal sells out, it's gone for good. Don't wait too long if you're interested.

This Pixel 10 deal sounds too good to be true

The Google Pixel 10 is a sophisticated flagship phone with a lovely OLED 120Hz display, endlessly versatile and fun-to-use camera tech, and an upgraded battery with lightning-fast charging. The Google Tensor G5 chipset will handle just about any task you throw at it, while the seven guaranteed software updates ensure that your phone will feel cutting-edge for many years to come.

So what's the catch?

If you're looking for a new wireless carrier, there are honestly very few drawbacks with this deal. Unlike some carrier deals, which involve so many eligibility requirements that it hardly feels worth it, with Mint Mobile's deals, what you see is what you get.

Sure, you have to pay for some wireless to get the discounted phone, but it shakes out to only $15 per month for one of our favorite unlimited plans around. You get talk, text, and data on T-Mobile's vast network, in addition to a mobile hotspot and free calls to Mexico, Canada, and the UK.

And come on, think about how nice it would be to drop a single payment today and not think about your phone bill again until mid-2027.

I will note that this Google Pixel 10 deal is exclusive to new Mint Mobile customers, and the carrier only has the 128GB configuration of the phone left in stock. If you need lots of bells and whistles with your phone plan, you might want to look elsewhere. But if you simply want some reliable wireless and a great new phone for as cheap as possible, this Google Pixel 10 promotion is worth jumping on ASAP.

What you need to know

• Google accidentally listed the entire Pixel 11 series on Amazon a month early, revealing pricing, specs, and colors.
• Prices are rising by $100 across the board, with the base Pixel 11 now starting at $899 with 256GB of storage.
• Google is hit by the memory crisis, with base Pro and Pro XL variants dropping to 12GB of RAM instead of 16GB.
• The Pixel 11 Pro Fold starts at $1,899 but drops to a smaller 4,750mAh battery, down from last year's 5,000mAh.

Ahead of the Google Pixel 11 series launch next month, a massive leak on Amazon has revealed almost everything you might want to know about the upcoming Pixel phones.

Google has officially confirmed that it's launching "next generation of Pixel devices," Which is expected to be the Pixel 11 series, on August 12 at 6:00 PM ET in New York. Surprisingly, there haven't been many leaks about the lineup so far. Sure, we've seen renders and a few smaller leaks here and there, but not much concrete information. Well, that was the case until now.

A new leak from Android Authority has revealed pretty much everything about the Pixel 11 series, including US pricing, storage options, specifications, and more.

According to the publication, the Pixel 11 series will once again consist of four models: the base Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The listings were accidentally published by Google on Amazon, though the company has since taken them down.

In the official listing, you can see the new colors of the Pixel phones as well as the suggested pricing. It appears the Pixel 11 series will now start at $899 for the base variant with 256GB of storage. There seems to be no 128GB model this year, meaning Google is bumping the base storage to 256GB, though the starting price is also rising by $100.

• See our guide to the best Google Pixel 10 deals of July 2026

According to the listing, the Pixel 11 will be available in four colors: Frost, Pistachio, Hibiscus, and Obsidian. There may also be a 512GB variant priced at $1,019 (via Droid-Life). Other specs for the base Pixel 11 include a 6.3-inch OLED display with up to 120Hz refresh rate, a sub-5,000mAh battery, and a 13-MP front camera.

Moving on to the Pixel 11 Pro, it also looks set to rise by $100. That means the Pixel 11 Pro will start at $1,099 for the base 256GB variant in the U.S. The 512GB variant may come in at around $1,219, while the 1TB variant will reportedly cost $1,449.

Similar to the base Pixel 11, the Pixel 11 Pro is expected to come with a 6.3-inch display and up to 120Hz refresh rate. The battery will be slightly smaller than the base variant at 4,850mAh, though it will reportedly offer up to 120x digital zoom.

However, according to another report, Google appears to be hit by the memory crisis this year too. The base 256GB model will reportedly come with just 12GB of RAM, while the higher 512GB and 1TB storage variants will retain 16GB. That's a change from last year, where all Pixel 10 Pro variants came with 16GB of RAM across the board.

Moving on to the Pixel 11 Pro XL, pricing will reportedly start at $1,299 for the base 256GB variant, while the 512GB and 1TB variants will cost $1,419 and $1,649, respectively. Just like the Pixel 11 Pro, there's a RAM split here too, with the base variant offering 12GB and the higher storage variants offering 16GB.

In terms of specs, the Pixel 11 Pro XL is expected to feature a 6.8-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a slightly smaller battery than last year, at 5,115mAh. There's also support for Wi-Fi 6E (no Wi-Fi 7 just yet,) along with Bluetooth 6.0.

Finally, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold looks set for a price increase this year, as with every other foldable out there. The 256GB variant will reportedly cost $1,899, while the 512GB variant will come in at $2,019.

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold's specs include a 6.5-inch OLED cover display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 4,750mAh battery, and folded dimensions of 6.11 x 5.92 x 0.4 inches. One thing worth noting is that the battery is actually shrinking compared to last year. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold featured a 5,000mAh battery, while the Pixel 11 Pro Fold drops slightly to 4,750mAh.

So there you have it. This is pretty much the biggest Pixel leak we've ever seen, with Google accidentally listing the phones on Amazon almost a full month ahead of launch.

Although it's no surprise that prices are going up this time around, especially with component and memory pricing climbing across the entire tech industry.

What you need to know

• A new leak gives us a clear look at the Pine green Pixel 11 Pro Fold, similar to last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold shade.
• The camera module is slightly redesigned, with edge-to-edge sensor pills and the flash now integrated inside the island.
• There's no sign of the rumored Pixel Glow LED in the render, though a hidden sensor in the module can't be ruled out.

We're just about a month away from the official reveal of the Google Pixel 11 series. And now, ahead of the launch, a new leak has given us a clear look at the green color of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, along with its slightly redesigned camera module.

Google has confirmed that it'll reveal its new generation of Pixel devices on August 12th at 6:00 PM ET in New York. Unlike past Pixel launches, there have been noticeably fewer leaks about the Pixel 11 series this time around (though no major upgrades are expected anyway). Still, a new leak from Mystic Leaks on Telegram has given us a clear look at the Pixel 11 Pro Fold.

The leak shows off the Pine variant of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, which looks similar to the green shade Google released with the Pixel 10 Pro Fold last year. This color is also expected to be available on the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL.

The overall design, according to the leak, stays mostly the same. It's really just the camera island that looks slightly different this time. Compared to before, the pills housing the camera sensors now (mostly) stretch edge-to-edge across the module. The flash, which used to sit on the outside, now appears to be integrated within the module itself.

The camera module also looks a little squarer this time, compared to the slightly more rectangular shape before. You can also spot a faint golden hue on the 'G' logo on the back. Otherwise, the phone looks largely similar to last year's model.

One disappointing thing, though, is that there's no sign of the Pixel Glow LED in this render. Google is reportedly integrating Pixel Glow across its portfolio.

We first saw it on the Google Home Speaker earlier this year, and it was also featured as part of a Googlebook showcase earlier this year. But this Pixel 11 Pro Fold doesn't show anything of the sort. It's possible there's a hidden light sensor within the camera module itself, but we can't say for sure.

Either way, everything will be confirmed at Google's upcoming showcase, since we're only about a month out from the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's release.

In the meantime, if you're after a great deal on a foldable, the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold is currently down by nearly 20% on Amazon, making it one of the best foldable deals right now. That's especially worth considering given that prices for this year's upcoming foldables are expected to climb north of $2,000.

What you need to know

• Pixel 11 Pro Fold FCC filing points to a major modem shake-up, with Google expected to replace Samsung's Exynos modem with MediaTek's M90.
• Tensor G6 could complete Google's break from Samsung, following Tensor G5's reported move to TSMC for chip manufacturing.
• MediaTek's M90 brings meaningful upgrades, including up to 12Gbps 5G speeds, satellite connectivity, dual active 5G SIM support, and AI-powered power efficiency.

Google’s long-term partnership with Samsung for Pixel modem hardware might be ending, and a new regulatory filing indicates that change is coming sooner rather than later.

A new FCC filing for the upcoming Pixel 11 Pro Fold seems to confirm that Google is ready to switch to a MediaTek modem and replace Samsung’s Exynos solution, as spotted by Android Authority. The filing corroborates earlier reports that the Tensor G6 platform will be paired with the company's M90 5G modem, instead of using Samsung's modem technology.

Google has been heavily reliant on Samsung for chip design and modem components since the original Tensor chip debuted in the Pixel 6 series. Although Tensor G5 is reported to have moved to TSMC for manufacturing, Google is still using a Samsung modem. The one for a clean break seems to be Tensor G6.

For Pixel users, the modem swap might matter more than benchmark numbers. Samsung's modems have been among the more common complaints on recent Pixel phones, with users citing inconsistent cellular reception, increased battery drain, and less reliable signal strength compared to other flagship devices. A more recent modem could fix those long-term pain points.

On paper, MediaTek’s M90 modem has some promising upgrades. It supports download speeds of up to 12Gbps, satellite connectivity, dual active 5G SIM support, and AI-powered power management that promises to improve efficiency without compromising performance. With the rumored Tensor G6 shift to TSMC's 2nm manufacturing process, the Pixel 11 lineup could deliver meaningful gains in battery life, thermal performance, and overall connectivity rather than just the raw processing power.

If the leaks are true, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold could be the company's first foldable to come with a MediaTek modem, and that points to a wider change for the entire Pixel 11 lineup.

Android Central's Take

I think this is one of the smartest hardware decisions Google could make. Pixel phones have always had great cameras and some genuinely helpful AI features, but modem performance has been a frustrating Achilles heel for years. If the move to MediaTek finally solves the connectivity and battery problems, most users will probably not care whose logo is on the modem — they will be happy with a Pixel that has a better signal and lasts longer.

Last year's Pixel 10 Pro Fold didn't really have many new features; other than better water resistance, Tensor G5, and a bigger battery, it was identical to the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. With other brands rolling out noticeable upgrades — including Samsung with the thinner Galaxy Z Fold 7 — the Pixel 10 Pro Fold felt like a tame release.

That's why I'm excited to see what Google has in store with the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The latest leaks suggest the upcoming foldable will get new cameras — a long-overdue upgrade — alongside a new Tensor G6 platform built on a 2nm node, brighter OLED panels inside and out, and design tweaks. This might finally be the year where Google takes the fight to Samsung and Vivo, and I can't wait.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Pricing and availability

Google has confirmed that it will showcase the Pixel 11 on August 12. Like last year, we should get four models: the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. I don't see any changes to Google's release strategy this year, so these models should be up for pre-order as soon as the launch event ends, with general sales starting before the end of August.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold retailed at $1,799 for the 256GB model, but with rising memory and storage costs, it's a given that the Pixel 11 Pro Fold will be at least $100 costlier, bringing it up to $1,899. We'll need to wait until the launch event to know what the foldable actually costs, but considering trends across the industry, it's almost guaranteed that you'll need to pay more to get your hands on Google's upcoming phones.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Design

Leaks point to Google tweaking the design of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold a little bit to make the rear camera island a little more distinctive, but other than that, the device looks similar to its predecessor. This is a good thing; Google has a distinct design aesthetic, and that isn't changing in 2026.

The one thing I'd like to see is a lighter foldable. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold weighs 258g, a full 43g heavier than the Galaxy Z Fold 7, and that difference in heft is immediately noticeable. The added bulk and weight makes the Pixel 10 Pro Fold a little cumbersome at times, and this is something that Google needs to address this year.

Another thing that Google needs to consider is the size; most foldables are now under 4.5mm unfolded and 9mm when folded, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold needs to be able to measure up in this category. A thinner and lighter foldable would go a long way in making the Pixel 11 Pro Fold stand out against its predecessors, and this is a key requirement in 2026.

A new feature coming to this year's Pixels is Pixel Glow, an LED notification light that's located on the rear camera island. This is something Nothing uses to great effect on its phones, and I can't wait to see how Google leverages it.

The Pixel 10 Pro Fold has one of the best OLED panels on any foldable, and while the Pixel 11 Pro Fold isn't set to change the size of the panels, it may get brighter. That's a positive move, and I like that Google isn't changing the size; the inner 8.0-inch panel is the ideal size to multitask, and the outer 6.4-inch panel has adequate real estate.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Specs

The headlining change with the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is the Tensor G6 platform. Google's phones haven't really stood up to their Qualcomm and MediaTek rivals in the past, but that could finally be changing. I'm not going to suggest that the Tensor G6 will be as fast as the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, but it shouldn't be as hobbled as the G5 and G4 when it comes to gaming.

A big part of that has to do with the node switch to 2nm, which inherently delivers better efficiency. Google is also said to be using new cores, and that should bring the Tensor G6 up to scratch, and I'm crossing my fingers that it holds up a lot better in gaming — this is an area where Google just hasn't done enough in the past.

The other big change is around cameras; the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is said to get a new main camera, which should allow the foldable to take better photos. This is something that Google needed to address last year on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, but I'm glad the brand is making amends in 2026; with the Galaxy Z Fold 8 incoming and the Vivo X Fold 6 slated to launch globally, Google needs to do much better with the cameras on the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. I want to see a better 3x lens as well, but the leaks point to just the main camera getting a new sensor, so it looks like the rest of the modules will be similar to last year.

Then there's the battery; leaks have pointed to a smaller 4,800mAh battery this year, but we will need to wait until the launch event to see if that's legitimate. A smaller battery is the easiest way to shave weight and thickness, but the obvious downside is that the phone doesn't last as long.

It is feasible that Google is counting on the efficiency gains of the Tensor G6 to offset the smaller battery. I would much prefer to see a bigger battery, and if every other brand is able to deliver at least a 5,000mAh battery in a foldable that's under 10mm and 220g, I don't see why Google couldn't do it.

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs. Pixel 10 Pro Fold: Which should you buy?

With the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Google needs to deliver a thinner and lighter foldable with better cameras. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold should bring decent upgrades this year, and the move to the Tensor G6 could resolve long-standing issues. Then again, this is all conjecture — we'll need to wait until August 12 to know what the Pixel 11 Pro Fold actually brings to the table.

In spite of the average cameras and the weight, I enjoyed using the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. The software is a real joy, and Android 17 made the foldable even better. If you don't need the best cameras and are okay with a heavier foldable, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is a great choice — and you don't have to pay anywhere as much.

With memory prices going up all across the board, there has been some concern that the budget smartphone industry might be in danger. Fortunately, wireless carriers seem to be largely unaffected (for now), which means you can still find some amazing cheap Android phone deals if you know where to look. For instance, Verizon will give you the Google Pixel 10a for 100% free when you add a line with any of its standard unlimited plans. The carrier is even waiving the activation fee if you're a new customer (a $40 savings).

Sure, it's not unusual for the Big Three carrier to give away its phones for free, but most Verizon deals require a sign-up on one of the more expensive unlimited plans to enjoy the full savings. With this deal, the Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, AND Unlimited Ultimate plans are all eligible, making this offer a pretty inviting opportunity for new and existing Verizon users alike. 

The Google Pixel 10a is one of the best cheap Android phones we've ever used, coming complete with a gorgeous 6.3-inch pOLED display, large 5,100mAh battery with fast charging capabilities, and seven years of OS and security upgrades guaranteed. 

The phone's Tensor G4 chipset still punches well above its weight class (despite being last-gen), while the camera tech and onboard AI features make the overall experience of using the Pixel 10a almost indistinguishable from that of a modern flagship. 

There are still some issues, of course. Like I already mentioned, the phone wasn't a huge upgrade from its predecessor, and the lack of Qi2 support and limited AI software could make the Pixel 10a feel a bit dated if you're particularly stringent about that kind of thing.

Still, for 500 bucks, the Google Pixel 10a offers one of the best value propositions around, and a Verizon deal that makes the phone completely free seems like a no-brainer in this day and age.

What you need to know

• Google is raising Pixel Watch 5 prices by $50, with the 41mm starting at $399 and the 45mm at $429 in the US.
• LTE variants will cost $100 more than the non-cellular versions.
• The Pixel Watch 5 comes in four colors, though the polished Warm Gold is exclusive to the smaller 41mm model.

Just a day after we learned that Google is planning to raise prices for the Pixel 11 series, the same leaker has now revealed that Google is also increasing prices for the Pixel Watch 5 models.

Google confirmed yesterday that it'll be hosting a launch event on August 12 at 6:00 PM ET. The company is widely expected to introduce both the Pixel 11 series and the Pixel Watch 5 models at the event, and now we have a few more details about the latter.

According to Dealabs, the Pixel Watch 5 series will stick with the same sizes we've seen before, in 41mm and 45mm. However, it looks like Google is set to raise prices by $50. That means the 41mm Pixel Watch 5 would start at $399 in the U.S., while the 45mm model is expected to start at $429.

You can expect the LTE variants to cost $100 more than the non-cellular versions.

It's not too hard to see why Google is raising prices, given the rising cost of memory components. Budget gadgets are being hit the hardest, and unfortunately, the Pixel Watch 5 falls into that category. It's also worth noting that this is the first price increase since the Pixel Watch series first launched.

On top of the pricing, a new report from Nieuwe Mobiel claims the Pixel Watch 5 series will come in four colors this year: Natural Silver, Dark Anthracite, Warm Gold, and Pyrite.

It's worth noting that the leak claims that the silver and gold options will come in polished finishes, while the anthracite and pyrite will have a matte finish. According to the leak, the gold color will only be available on the smaller 41mm model, not the 45mm version.

We all saw Google's teaser yesterday confirming that the Pixel 11 series will come in a gold finish, so this new gold Pixel Watch option seems designed to complement it. That said, I'm not entirely sold on the direction here, since a polished gold finish could end up being a real scratch magnet.

Either way, everything should become clearer over the coming days, with Google set to announce the new Pixel lineup just over a month from now.

What you need to know

• Google started rolling out its July security update for Pixels, which serves as its first post-Android 17 launch patch.
• The update fixes a few early issues affecting Pixel 6 to Pixel 10 series phones, as well as a navigation button problem for the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.
• Google has achieved Platform Stability for Android 17's first quarterly update with Beta 6.

Android 17's debut was huge, alongside Google's other major Pixel news. Now, the company is rolling out its first post-Android 17 patch, and it's of the monthly variety for security and bug fixes.

Google posted the changelog for its July 2026 security update for Pixel 6 and newer phones. Globally, Pixel users can expect to download vCP2A.260705.006 once it hits their devices. Google says the patch is "rolling out in phases" over the next week, so its availability will be staggered to start. Android 17's UI is receiving a couple of fixes. The first involves only the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, as users reported problems with its navigation buttons.

Google says these buttons would occasionally "change alignment after folding and unfolding the device." The July patch should solve this issue for those affected users. The second fix concerns every supported Pixel device for this July update (Pixel 6 to the Pixel 10 series). Google states it's rolling out a fix for the wallpaper shape effect as it would "incorrectly cover the subject instead of appearing in the background."

You can check out the remainder of the patch notes below. It's worth noting that the following fixes concern all supported Pixel phones receiving this patch.

• Fix for an issue where certain applications would unexpectedly close or fail to launch
• Fix for an issue where various system widgets were displayed with incorrect colors or contrast settings
• Fix for an issue where some devices would fail to load the Android system or become stuck in a boot loop under certain conditions

Testing underway

Google is rolling out a small fix for widgets, but it doesn't solve the main issue most Pixel users were experiencing. Users said their home screen widgets started disappearing after updating to Android 17. Google is aware of this and says a fix is on the way. We've seen that fix appear in the Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5 update. Specifically, it states the fix is for widgets that "disappear or become unavailable in the widget picker after a device reboot."

Since this is in its QPR1 beta, we'll likely have to wait for Android 17's first quarterly patch, which is what the tests are for. However, Google hit us with a pretty quick double whammy. Android 17 QPR1 Beta 6 rolled out last week, and it's now in Platform Stability. This is the part of the beta where devs can begin testing and applying their APIs to the software in preparation for users to receive it.

Android Central's Take

Android 17 wasn't a flashy update, and most other phones from other makers are awaiting their turn to get it. Not all major OS updates need to be, so long as they offer something worth our time. Android 17 focuses on security and threat detection for phones, which is always appreciated.

What you need to know

• Pixel 11 could finally ditch 128GB, with every model rumored to start at 256GB of storage.
• Expect to pay more, as leaked European pricing suggests a €100 increase across the lineup.
• The Pro XL and Pro Fold may see genuine price increases, making Google's premium phones even more expensive.

If Google’s latest Pixel 11 leak is anything to go by, the days of purchasing a Pixel phone with just 128GB storage could soon be over. The catch? You might have to pay more up front.

A fresh report from Dealabs paints the clearest picture yet of Google's upcoming Pixel 11 lineup. It suggests Google is preparing a major shake-up for storage, colors, pricing, and launch timing ahead of the phones' expected debut next month.

Perhaps the most surprising change (or not) is something many Pixel fans have been begging for. The leak suggests that Google is killing the 128GB base storage option across the entire Pixel 11 family. Instead, each model would ship with 256GB, bringing the Pixel family more in line with the direction other flagship makers have been heading.

Of course the change has a clear downside. The report says prices across the range will be up about €100 in Europe. That sounds like a straightforward price hike, but there's a bit more to it.

Prices could be shifting up

For the standard Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro, those buyers would essentially be paying what the 256GB versions of the last generation already cost. That means the base storage is twice as large, but so is the base price. The Pixel 11 is expected to begin at €999 for 256GB, while the Pixel 11 Pro could start at €1,199.

For Google’s premium models, however, the news is less rosy. The Pixel 11 Pro XL is said to start at €1,399, while the Pixel 11 Pro Fold could go up to €1,999 for the base 256GB model. These seem to be real price increases (unlike the standard models, which are replacements for lower-capacity variants).

The Pixel 11 Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold are said to scale up to 1TB of storage, but the highest storage version is said to be available in just the Midnight Haze black color. The standard Pixel 11 would max out at 512GB.

The leak also shows a glimpse of what could be the color palette of Google’s lineup for this year. The regular Pixel 11 is expected to be launched in Midnight Haze (black), Light Sterling (gray), Moss (green), and Fuchsia (pink). The Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL, meanwhile, are rumored to be available in Midnight Haze, Light Fog (white), Pine (green), and Dune (pink). Those looking to get their hands on the Pixel 11 Pro Fold have fewer options, as only Midnight Haze and Pine are said to be on the table.

Timing-wise, Google just revealed that it will launch the Pixel 11 series on August 12, and preorders will start right after. It is expected to go on sale in stores on August 20.

But there is still an important caveat. These figures are accurate for Europe and the UK. Google doesn’t always reflect regional pricing across markets, so US pricing could end up telling a different story when the company makes everything official.

Android Central's Take

Personally, I'm all for Google ditching 128GB as the default. In 2026, that much storage just doesn’t cut it with AI features, 4K videos, and massive apps eating up space faster than ever. I'd rather start with 256GB than worry about deleting photos in a few months. That said, Google should not use a long overdue storage bump as an excuse to quietly charge everyone more. Doubling the storage is a welcome upgrade, but it only feels worthwhile if the price reflects the value rather than serving as another reason to justify flagship phone costs.

Google pulled a Google on Pixel Studio image generation, meaning the feature was killed just like countless other projects before it. Now that the AI image-generating feature is gone, there are still quite a few ways to create custom stickers on a Pixel phone.

Of the many ways, the easiest is as quick as a long press, whereas the other options require a few more steps. So, here are some ways I like to create custom stickers on my Pixel 10 Pro without Pixel Studio.

Note that my Pixel is running Android 17, but Pixels running Android 16 with recent updates should also have access to the same features. Make sure you update your phone and apps to the latest available versions in case you still don't see these features on your Pixel phone.

How to create custom stickers on Pixel phones with Google Photos

Google Photos is the native image gallery app on every single Pixel phone. Many Android phones also use it as the native image viewer.

To create a custom sticker from a preexisting image, first find the picture you want in Google Photos.

After that, simply press and hold the subject you want to make into a sticker. I usually use my cat, but this works with other animals and people too.

From there, you can past your sticker in other apps, including chats. You can also find them in the Collections tab on Google Photos.

How to create custom stickers on Pixel phones with Google Messages

Little did I know that Google Messages already has a sticker creator built into it. Now that I have found it, I am happy to share that it is incredibly easy to use.

If you want to create custom stickers from your photos, just open a chat in Google Messages and tap the smiley face icon next to the photo attachment icon in the text box. Then, choose the Photomoji option.

After that, either take a picture with the camera or select a picture from your device to create a sticker. Simply tap the send button to send the newly created sticker to the chat.

You can also use this sticker as a reaction image as opposed to the preloaded emojis, as a way to spice up your reactions ot messages.

There are still so many other ways to create your own custom stickers for messaging apps

Although we can no longer use Pixel Studio to reimagine our photos into fun stickers or simply create basic ones, there are plenty of alternatives to do so.

The simplest way to access the same image-generation feature Pixel Studio had is to open Gemini. Attach the picture you want to turn into a sticker, give Gemini the instructions, and it'll spit out what you need. However, the result will be a picture with an opaque background.

WhatsApp users will find that creating stickers in the app is child's play. Simply select the stickers option in the app, then tap the "create sticker" button to convert any image from your photo gallery into a sticker. There's no AI reimagination feature, however, so you'll have to rely on AI like Gemini for that.

What you need to know

• Google has confirmed a Made by Google event in New York on August 12 at 6 p.m. ET for the Pixel 11 series.
• The Pixel Watch 5 series is also expected to be announced at the August 12 event.
• The Pixel 11 series is expected to start at a higher price tag than the Pixel 10 series, although it may start with at least 256GB of storage.

Mark your calendars: Google has officially announced its next Made by Google event, where the Pixel 11 series is expected to launch, and it's happening on August 12.

Google has sent out press invites confirming it's hosting the event in New York on Wednesday, August 12 at 6 p.m. ET. That's a week earlier than last year's Pixel 10 launch, though the timing is notably later in the day than usual.

Google typically holds these events around 1 p.m. ET, but for the Pixel 11 series launch, the company is hosting it in the evening at 6 p.m. Eastern Time.

The company hasn't officially named the Pixel 11 series in the invite, instead using the phrase "next generation of Pixel," but that's exactly what everyone expects. Google is also anticipated to announce the Pixel Watch 5 series alongside it.

What to expect from the Pixel 11 launch on August 12

The invite itself has a very Apple-ish feel to it. It's pretty similar to how Apple sends out invites for its WWDC and iPhone launch events, and this is the first time Google has gone with something like this.

As for what the invite actually reveals, the teaser shows a gold-finish phone with the horizontal camera visor, which is enough to confirm it's a Google Pixel. Beyond that, there isn't much to go on from the poster itself.

On the leak front, the Pixel 11 series is rumored to start at 256GB instead of 128GB, which also points to a price increase over the predecessor. With RAM and memory component costs continuing to rise across the industry, it looks like the Pixel 11 series will be the next casualty of that trend.

There are also rumors of Google bringing the Pixel Glow indicator to the Pixel 11 series. The company has been rolling out the Glow light feature across its hardware lineup, first with the Googlebook earlier this year and then the Google Home Speaker last month, and it looks like the Pixel 11 will follow suit.

As always, Android Central will be on the ground at the Made by Google event to cover everything as it happens. What are you most excited about with the Pixel 11 series? Let us know in the comments below.

It's not unusual for wireless carriers to promote free phone deals, but these offers are typically bogged down with so much fine print that it doesn't really feel like saving. Fortunately, T-Mobile has been running some new deals that simplify the process considerably, especially if you're a Samsung or Google Pixel fan. 

Add a line with "most plans" at T-Mobile and the carrier will hook you up with a free Google Pixel 10, full stop. No trade-in is required, and nearly all of T-Mo's unlimited plans are eligible. This includes the Essentials, Better Value, Experience Beyond, and Experience More plan, and if you're an existing T-Mobile customer, you can even use the legacy Go5G Next or Go5G Plus plans. 

This Google Pixel 10 deal has been quite popular at T-Mobile — the Indigo variant is already completely sold out — so don't wait too long if you're interested.

Score a FREE Google Pixel 10 at T-Mobile, no trade-in required

The savings appear in the form of $800 in bill credits over 24 months, and both new and existing T-Mobile customers are eligible. In fact, if you're a new customer, T-Mobile will also give you a prepaid MasterCard worth $100 when you ditch your old carrier, and they'll even pay off your existing phone (up to $800) when you trade it in.

The Google Pixel 10

Although it wasn't a dramatic upgrade from its predecessor, the Google Pixel 10 remains one of the best flagship phones that money can buy today, coming complete with a gorgeous 6.3-inch OLED display, Tensor G5 chipset, and 12GB of RAM as standard. 

The device also boasts all of the fancy camera tech that has made Pixel phones so famous, plus you get all of the latest AI-boosted software features from Google AI. Moreover, the Pixel 10 comes with some upgraded battery life, and just like past generations, the haptics and speakers are top of the line. 

The Google Pixel 10 continues to have some issues with battery throttling and gaming performance, and some users may want more than 128GB of storage, but it's otherwise an all-around great Android phone that the majority of folks will love using. 

So what's the catch?

Of course, this T-Mobile deal isn't completely free of pesky fine print. You'll still need to pay the $35 activation fee and any applicable sales tax on the device, and new customers will have to add at least three lines if they want to use the Better Value plan (there's no such restriction for existing users). It may not be as easy as simply buying the phone unlocked from Amazon, but as far as carrier deals go, this T-Mobile offer is about as straightforward as it gets.

What you need to know

• Pixel users have been raising an issue on Google's various subreddits and its Issue Tracker about a "missing incoming call" bug.
• Users with a wide range of Pixel phones say their phones have been ignoring incoming calls, and rarely inform them that one has been attempted.
• However, the problem could be with the Google Phone app, as this behavior has reportedly affected several phones for months.

Google Pixel users say they're suffering from a phone problem that no one (in this day and age) ever wants.

This Google Pixel problem reportedly concerns the phone's ability to receive calls, affecting a range of devices (via Android Authority). It's quickly become apparent through a Pixel subreddit report that this problem hasn't started in the past few days or weeks. Users state their Pixel has been missing calls for over a month. The original post (OP) says their Pixel 10 Pro XL "is not receiving calls after the last update." This was posted at the end of May.

They explain their situation, stating, "As mentioned since the last update people will call me and it won't go through. Just hangs on the calling screen and then hangs up. My wife said it happens routinely and she will have to call me 3 to 4 times and sometimes my phone will ring."

On their side, the user sees nothing. Their phone will remain idle with its display off. The user has run through a series of at-home troubleshooting steps (restarting, clearing cache, ensuring DND is off), but nothing has worked. Another user even further back reported this issue affecting their Pixel 7 Pro. Not only are users missing calls on Google's stable patch, but it's happening in Android 17 QPR1 Beta 5, too. This user says their Pixel 10 Pro XL only started missing calls after downloading the latest beta, adding that a thread has been opened on Google's Issue Tracker about it.

Android Central's Nicholas Sutrich brought this issue up earlier today after stating he's "had this behavior on several phones for months now." Sutrich adds that "it's a Google Phone app issue, not a Pixel issue." Android Central has reached out to Google about this missing incoming call issue and will update this post if we hear back.

This problem is dangerous

A Google Community member did respond to one of the Reddit threads. We can at least assume the company is aware of the issue. This is a troublesome problem, especially if it's affecting the Google Phone app. That means more than just Pixels have this problem. There was one report that mentioned the Galaxy S25, so users should remain cautious.

The last memorable Phone app problem we've reported was more of an inconvenience than anything else. Earlier this year, the app constantly flipped its orientation. You'd typically want your call to remain in portrait, but the app would switch to landscape, messing up the buttons. Google fixed this by rolling out a "keep portrait mode" in the app's display settings.

Curiously, Google's Call Screen for Pixels was cited as a potential culprit behind this missing-call issue. The user on Reddit said that, after turning it off, their device would alert them to incoming calls as expected.

Android Central's Take

I'm surprised there isn't more urgency. Missing phone calls is an incredibly serious issue. I saw one person on Reddit mention that they have kids and older parents. There's no telling what could be wrong if they happened to miss a call. Their child could be sick, or their parents could've had something happen, too. The problem seems to have been escalating lately. Hopefully, this kicks Google into higher gear.

What you need to know

• Motorola Edge 70 Max has appeared in the WPC database, suggesting the phone could launch with native Qi2 support.
• The certification points to Qi2.2.1 support, giving the phone up to 25W wireless charging under the latest Qi2 standard.
• The listing also mentions a Magnetic Power Profile, hinting that built-in Qi2 magnets may be included instead of requiring a case.

It looks like Motorola could beat Samsung to bringing native Qi2 wireless charging to its smartphones.

For years, iPhones were the only phones with built-in MagSafe-style magnets. Android users could get a similar experience, but only by using third-party magnetic cases. That finally changed with the Pixel 10 series last year, which became the first Android phones to ship with native Qi2 support and built-in magnets, allowing Qi2 and MagSafe-compatible accessories to attach directly to the phone.

Even when Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 series this year, it stopped short of adding full Qi2 support. The phones are only Qi2 Ready, meaning they support the underlying wireless charging standard but don't include the built-in magnets required for the full Qi2 experience. It now looks like Motorola could be next to take that step.

As spotted by Fwned (via Android Authority), Motorola is preparing to launch a new phone called the Motorola Edge 70 Max. The device has reportedly appeared in the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC) certification database, confirming its name, model number, and Qi wireless charging support.

Motorola might beat Samsung to native Qi2

According to the listing, the Edge 70 Max supports Qi2.2.1, which effectively means support for the latest 25W Qi2 wireless charging standard.

The more interesting detail, though, is that the certification also references a Magnetic Power Profile, which typically indicates the presence of built-in alignment magnets. If that's accurate, the Motorola Edge 70 Max would support the complete Qi2 experience, including both the charging standard and native magnetic attachment.

We don't know much else about the phone just yet, but if this leak proves accurate, Motorola could beat Samsung to offering full native Qi2 support on its smartphones. That would be a significant step forward for Android, especially since most devices today still rely on third-party magnetic cases to achieve the same functionality.

There's still very little information available about the Edge 70 Max beyond this certification and model number confirmation, but we expect to learn more in the coming weeks.

Android Central's Take

Native Qi2 is one of those features I've wanted on every Android flagship for years. If Motorola really gets there before Samsung, that's a surprisingly big win and another way for it to stand out as it continues eating into Samsung's Android market share.

I test every mainstream pair of wireless earbuds that come out, and my buying advice is simple: grab the pair that matches your phone. More often than not, it really is that easy. If you have an iPhone, get AirPods. If you have a Samsung Galaxy phone, get Galaxy Buds. Google Pixel users are lucky enough to get the Pixel Buds Pro 2 — they're not just the best for Pixel, they're one of the best wireless earbuds overall.

While most premium earbuds start at $250 and up, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are just $229 at full price. That makes this Amazon Prime Day deal feel too good to be true. You can snag the Pixel Buds Pro 2 for only $160, and every Pixel user should consider it.

• Prime Day 2026 ends TONIGHT: see the full list of deals

✅ Recommended if: you want small and comfortable earbuds without a stem; you have a Google Pixel phone and want companion earbuds; you want incredible wireless audio under $200.

❌ Skip this deal if: you need physical on-earbud buttons (the Pixel Buds Pro 2 use swipe gestures); you're on a budget and would rather get the Pixel Buds 2a (also on-sale for Prime Day)

Most wireless earbuds on the market today offer great sound, and many bundle exclusive software features you only get with a matching phone. That's why the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 go great with, say, a Pixel 10 Pro. I've used the Pixel Buds Pro 2, and there's one thing that makes them stand out among the competition.

It's their comfort. While many earbuds are chunky or feature long stems, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are minuscule by comparison. They are 27% smaller than the original Pixel Buds Pro, and they're also 24% lighter. Better yet, they have an included stabilizer that keeps the Pixel Buds Pro 2 locked in place.

Google did something clever to let you know when you've found the perfect fit: the "G" logo on the Pixel Buds Pro 2 will be upright when they're twisted in place. I have AirPods and Galaxy Buds slip out of my ears all the time, and that's never happened with the Pixel Buds Pro 2.

At their $160 sale price, these earbuds are priced like a base-model pair, with the specs of a flagship. They have a custom Tensor A1 audio processor to handle sound and active noise-cancelation. They can also do spatial audio and multi-device switching, connecting with Google Find Hub for tracking.

I don't think you'll find a better pair of wireless earbuds at this price point — but this deal won't last forever. Prime Day ends today, so move fast.

All Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon tablets from $50
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo

Prime Day is nearing an end, but there are still plenty of great Android phone deals hanging around if you know where to look. That said, there's one product category that hasn't received enough attention during the sale: small phones. 

As you probably noticed, Android phones have been getting bigger and bigger in recent years. That's cool if you're into that kind of thing, but there is a growing population of users who would prefer something compact and powerful over a giant display that you can barely use with one hand. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available if you prefer small phones, and many of them are on sale today. 

Since it's ending tonight at midnight PST, I'll start by showcasing Prime Day deals — but if you missed Amazon's sale, don't forget that Best Buy and Walmart are also running their own rival sale events. The picks below range from no-frills budget phones to clamshell devices, so without further ado, let's dive right in. 

What is considered a small phone?

Nowadays, small phones are considered any device with a screen that's less than 6.4 inches. Considering how many modern Android phones are 6.7-inch or larger, the category is smaller than you might think. 

What time does Prime Day end?

Prime Day 2026 is set to formally end at 11:59pm PST. That means you only have a few more hours to take advantage of the best Prime Day deals until they're gone for good (or until Amazon decides to launch another sale event later this year). 

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

This year has been filled with awful price increases on everything, but Prime Day seems to be the one event that's still dropping prices to record lows. The Pixel 10 Pro, for example, is at its lowest price ever for Prime Day, dropping a whopping 32% off for the special event.

Of all the Pixel 10 models released last year, the Pixel 10 Pro is by far my favorite. It packs everything in that makes the Pixel 10 Pro XL good — the same display, the same amazing triple rear camera system with periscope camera, top-tier haptics, and the same processor and RAM configurations — all in a size that's actually usable with one hand. It's like finding a unicorn phone that appeared when all the stars aligned!

• Prime Day 2026 is LIVE June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: You've been looking to switch to a Google Pixel but didn't want to shell out $1,000 (or more) to do it, want a flagship phone without the enormous size, or just want one of the best cameras ever on a smartphone.

❌Skip this deal if: You need the fastest processor for gaming. Google's Tensor processor runs most games just fine, but there are better options for this purpose.

One of the many perks of being a Pixel owner is getting the latest versions of Android first. Android 17 is already available for Pixel phones, while most other phones won't be getting it for a few months.

Android 17 brings a bunch of great updates and improvements, including some incredibly handy social media features that you're going to love. Google has done a great job partnering with companies that make the most popular apps (like TikTok and Instagram) to ensure Pixel owners get the best experience possible, and you can enjoy it all on your $315 cheaper Pixel 10 Pro on Prime Day!

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

So you're using an older iPhone or Android device, and while it's running fine, it doesn't quite last a day, takes longer to charge, and the software is starting to lag even in regular use.

While flagships now cost over $1,000, there really is no reason to spend anywhere as much if all you want is a reliable phone that handles the basics. And in that regard, there isn't a better phone than the Pixel 10a.

I didn't really get the point of the Pixel 10a when it launched; it was too similar to its predecessor, so I didn't use it. But it's only when I started using the phone recently that I realized it has a lot of small changes that make a noticeable difference in daily use: slightly faster charging means it doesn't take as long to fill the 5,300mAh battery, Bluetooth connectivity is better overall, and it holds up better in demanding tasks.

Basically, the Pixel 10a is a great choice if you need a new mid-ranger in 2026, and now is the best time to get your hands on the phone. The Pixel 10a debuted at $499, and it just got a major discount to $399, so if you're thinking of buying a new phone, I'd suggest getting the Pixel 10a while it's still on sale. The one caveat is that the $399 price is only on the fog, berry, and lavender color variants; the obsidian model is costlier at $424. This doesn't matter that much as you'll inevitably use a case, and if you need my recommendation, get the fog model.

✅Recommended if: You want a reliable phone that nails the basics. The Pixel 10a has one of the best cameras in its class, I really like the design, the battery life is outstanding, and you get the best software — with meaningful AI features should you need it.

❌Skip this deal if: You want a gaming phone. While Google got a lot right with the Pixel 10a, gaming isn't really something the phone does well, so if you need better hardware, you should get the OnePlus 15R.

Google did a great job with the design of the Pixel 10a. The camera housing sits flush with the body, and that just feels great when you're holding and using the phone. As someone who's used to phones with massive camera islands like the Find X9 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra, this is a refreshing change of pace.

I also like the color variants available this year; the berry and lavender models have bright designs and look great. The phone has IP68 dust and water resistance, better glass protection this year, and it retains the aluminum mid-frame.

Google didn't change the cameras, so you get the same 48MP main camera and 13MP wide-angle lens. The sensors aren't new, but Google's image tuning means you get great photos in any lighting situation, and it's the consistency where the Pixel 10a really shines.

The Tensor G4 is decent enough, but I would've liked the G5 in the device — it does a better job with gaming in general. Regardless, the Pixel 10a doesn't have issues in regular use, and the 6.3-inch 120Hz OLED panel is among the best in this category; it gets very bright outdoors, and has great colors. Oh, and if you need a suggestion, get the 8GB/256GB model; you'll run out of storage on the 128GB model in a matter of months.

Battery life is great, and the software is the real star of the show. Unlike Samsung's Galaxy A57 and A37, the Pixel 10a doesn't come with any bloatware whatsoever, and that in itself is a huge deal. Combine that with all the Google extras that are available on the phone, and the fact that you can install Android 17 right now, and you start to realize why the Pixel 10a is Google's best-seller.

I'm annoyed that Google didn't do enough with the Pixel 10a, but the underlying fundamentals are great, and it is a good all-round choice in this category — particularly if you're using an older phone. And with the device now down to $399, this is the best time to buy it.

Good news: Prime Day is still going on, and as we're heading into the last day, this is your reminder that if you want to save a decent chunk of cash on a phone, now is the time to do so. If you're on a shoestring budget, it may seem challenging to find an affordable device that doesn't skimp on important features. That's why I'm here. Below you'll find my top recommendations for performant Android phones that are currently priced at $400 or less during Amazon's big sale.

The cheap Android phones below include premium specs like AMOLED displays, AI features, and powerful chipsets, while some of them boast a few features that may surprise you, such as built-in stylus pens and headphone jacks. Keep reading for my top picks, and don't forget that many of the best deals will only be available for Prime members. Don't feel like paying for yet another subscription? Amazon is offering a 30-day free trial that lets you take advantage of Prime Day deals (and other membership benefits) without paying a penny. Just be sure to cancel your account before the first bill is due.

• Prime Day is LIVE June 23-26: see the full list of deals

When does Prime Day end?

Prime Day 2026 began on June 23rd and is set to run through Friday, June 26th. That gives you four full days to explore Amazon's best deals, although it's worth mentioning that Best Buy and Walmart are running rival sales that extend through Sunday, June 28th.

What is the best cheap Android phone?

We generally consider the Google Pixel 10a to be the best cheap Android phone for most people. The device boasts the perfect blend of premium specs with good old-fashioned bang for the buck, coming complete with a powerful Tensor chipset, flagship-level cameras, and a bunch of useful AI-boosted software tools. The Pixel 10a also sports a lovely AMOLED display, and like other Pixel phones, you're guaranteed seven years of OS and security upgrades straight out of the box.

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

If you're an iPhone user and are willing to switch to Android, now is the best time to do so. The Pixel 10 Pro XL is the best Android flagship you can buy in the U.S., and while I prefer the Find X9 Ultra and Vivo X300 Ultra, you don't get those devices Stateside, so if I have to choose between the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Motorola Signature, the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL, Google's phone wins out.

There's just one issue: the pricing. The Pixel 10 Pro XL debuted at $1,199, and that's way too much. Thankfully, the phone is down to $884 during Prime Day, a huge $315 discount that makes this the ideal time to get your hands on the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Google's phones always sell well during these sale, and it's no different this time. And what about the iPhone, you ask? There aren't any deals around this year, so you'll need to shell out the full $1,199 to get your hands on the 17 Pro Max.

✅Recommended if: You want the best phone in the U.S. The Pixel 10 Pro XL has better cameras than the Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the software is cleaner, and you get an extensive set of AI features if that's what you want in a phone.

❌Skip this deal if: You're used to the iPhone. I get that it's hard to change, and with the iPhone, you get an interface that's essentially unchanged over the last decade.

Google sorted out a lot of the lingering issues this time, and the result is that the Pixel 10 Pro XL is noticeably better than its predecessors. The fundamentals haven't changed; you still get great cameras, clean software with plenty of meaningful features, good battery life, and a bright OLED panel.

It's the software where the Pixel 10 Pro XL truly comes into its own. The phone just got the Android 17 update, and alongside a slate of new features and a new floating windows mode called bubbles, the update made the phone a little faster, making it even better to use.

Google has a dominant lead when it comes to phone-based AI features, so much so that Apple is using Google's models on the iPhone now. But if you're not a fan of generative AI or don't need these features, you don't have to use any on the Pixel 10 Pro XL — I don't. Outside of the software, the Pixel 10 Pro XL cameras continue to stand out, and you consistently get great photos and videos.

The OLED panel is among the brightest of any phone around, and I like its color vibrancy. Battery life is decent, and while it doesn't measure up to Chinese rivals, I still get a day's worth of use consistently.

Google has been making phones for the better part of a decade now, and with the Pixel 10 Pro XL, it's clear that the brand has a phone that's among the best around. If you're not satisfied with your iPhone and want to try something new, the Pixel 10 Pro XL would be my recommendation — get the phone while it's still down to $884.

While everyone is waiting for Samsung's rumored Galaxy Z Fold 8 Wide and Apple's foldable iPhone, those phones might not be the best buys right now. Amazon's Prime Day sale has kicked off, and one of the standout deals is a massive $400 discount on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, bringing the foldable down to just $1,400.

If you're looking for one of the best foldable phones of 2026 and want it at a price that doesn't completely destroy your wallet, this Pixel 10 Pro Fold deal is hard to ignore. Not only does it undercut most competing foldables, but with price increases expected across Samsung's and Apple's upcoming lineups, grabbing a discounted foldable right now feels like a pretty smart move.

✅Recommended if: you want a foldable Android phone at a reasonable price, you value durability, want fast Android updates, and are looking for something that'll comfortably last for years.

❌Skip this deal if: you want top-tier gaming performance, extremely fast charging speeds, or prefer a wider, squarer foldable design.

With smartphone prices continuing to rise across the board, and even higher prices expected from upcoming flagship launches, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold starts making a lot of sense.

The Galaxy Z Fold 8 is expected to start around $2,000, and Apple's first foldable iPhone likely won't be any cheaper. Meanwhile, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold launched less than a year ago and is already seeing a discount of several hundred dollars. That's what makes this one of the more compelling Prime Day deals around.

And the phone itself is still excellent. You get IP68 water and dust resistance, which remains one of the best durability ratings available on a foldable phone. That means you don't have to worry nearly as much about rain, splashes, or everyday accidents. Similar to the rest of the Pixel 10 lineup, it also comes with built-in Qi2 magnets, allowing it to work with MagSafe-style accessories without needing a special case.

Like other Pixel phones, you also get one of the best software experiences on Android, complete with day-one Android updates. In fact, the Pixel 10 Pro Fold is currently one of the only foldables running Android 17, giving you access to features like App Bubbles and the latest multitasking improvements.

Sure, the Tensor G5 isn't the most powerful chip on the market, and if you're buying a foldable primarily for gaming, there are other options out there. The 5,000mAh battery also isn't the largest you'll find in a foldable. But for everyday use, productivity, photography, and media consumption, it's more than capable.

Those compromises become a lot easier to overlook when you're saving this much money. And with newer foldables expected to launch at even higher prices later this year, this might end up being one of the easiest foldable phone deals to recommend during Prime Day.

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

Not much time is left until Prime Day 2026 comes to an end, and yet we're still going strong with some of the best tech deals this side of Black Friday. This year's sale is particularly notable for Google fans, as the retailer is slashing prices on many of the best Pixel devices ever built, from phones and wearables to wireless earbuds.

Needless to say, I've added a selection of my favorite Google Pixel deals from Prime Day 2026 into this guide. Just remember that the majority of the best Amazon offers will be exclusive to Prime members. Haven't signed up yet? No worries: Amazon is offering a 30-day free trial that lets you enjoy all of the benefits of a Prime membership without paying a dime. You can even cancel at any time, which means you can sign up today, do a bunch of Prime Day shopping, and delete your account with zero hassle.

Prime Day quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

Google Pixel deals

Prime Day FAQ

When is Prime Day 2026?

Amazon launched Prime Day 2026 on June 23rd this year, and it and runs through June 26th. This means that you have only a few more hours to take advantage of the members-only sale event.

Do I need to be a Prime member to shop during Amazon Prime Day?

Although select discounts are available to the general public, the vast majority of deals during Prime Day are exclusive to Amazon Prime members. Haven't joined yet? Sign up for Amazon's 30-day free trial to enjoy all of the benefits of a Prime membership without paying a cent. The cost of a membership is $14.99 per month once the trial period is up, but you can cancel at any time with zero hassle.

Schools are out for the summer, which means it's only a matter of time before back-to-school shopping is underway. Prime Day is the perfect way to get a head start, and I'm taking advantage of it by upgrading my younger brother's aging smartphone to the Google Pixel 10, which is currently on sale.

The Pixel 10 isn't yet a year old, and it originally launched at $799 with plenty of notable upgrades over its predecessor. A rather steep 31% discount gets you a pretty sweet deal on the Pixel 10, bringing it down to just $549. For a high school kid, that's a pretty reasonable price for a new smartphone, especially one as good as the Pixel 10.

• Prime Day returns June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: You want a fun AI phone with a great camera, first-class software support, and iPhone features like AirDrop support and Qi2 magnetic charging.

❌Skip this deal if: You prefer larger smartphones or don't want to miss out on features reserved for the Pixel 10 Pro.

I've been using the Pixel 10 on and off since it launched last year. While I've been pleased with previous base model Pixels, the Pixel 10 is by far the best Google has produced. It comes with a triple-camera setup that includes a 50MP primary sensor and a 5x telephoto camera that delivers some pretty impressive zoom shots.

The Tensor G5 may not be the fastest chip on the block, but it's more than enough for a high school teen. My brother is 16 years old and has been using a OnePlus Nord for years. While he's not too concerned about having the latest smartphone, it's probably time for him to upgrade. He mostly just plays games and watches videos, but I think he would get a kick out of the improved camera and fun AI features.

And because he tends to keep smartphones for a long time, the seven-year upgrade promise means he can keep the Pixel for years to come and still get many of the latest features and security updates. His OnePlus phone stopped getting updates years ago, making his need for a new phone even greater.

For anyone looking to upgrade their high schooler before the 2026-27 school year begins and not wanting to spend an arm and a leg, the Pixel 10 fits the bill pretty well. Alongside the recent update to Android 17, the Pixel 10's newest features basically turn it into the iPhone of Android. RCS makes messaging effortless with high-quality images and other features; AirDrop support makes sharing media simple and quick, and Qi2 support means you can use many of the same MagSafe chargers and accessories.

So even if you're an iPhone family, a Pixel 10 means your high schooler doesn't have to miss out.

What you need to know

• A recent leak suggests Google is working on a new memory-based feature for Pixel phones, known as "Audio Memory."
• While reports claim it would capture music you've heard, it might also keep its ears open for "important conversations" and transcribe them.
• Google has a few "memory" features for its AI, such as Personal Intelligence and "personal context" in the Gemini app.

A report states that, after some digging, a new Pixel feature was spotted, which could let your phone "remember" what you've heard.

The report was posted by 9to5Google, stating Google is working on an "Audio Memory" feature for its Pixels. One major Audio Memory function that was discovered is "Music Recognition." This isn't a new capability for Pixels. Many of Google's phones can keep their "ears" open for music, so it can have its name available for the user. Think of it like Shazam, but it's always on.

For Audio Memory, it will function mostly the same, as it'll provide "info about songs playing nearby displays on your device's lock screen," per the leaked description. Users can tap these logged titles to bring them to Pixel's Now Playing app. However, 9to5 kept digging and found that the latest version of Android System Intelligence for the Pixel 10 held breadcrumbs about additional uses.

Reportedly, Google plans for Audio Memory to "keep track of what you hear throughout your day." This could include "your important conversations." There wasn't much else about this rumor, as it's still early. However, the publication assumes this feature (if enabled) would transcribe conversations you're having to "generate notes."

How broad its coverage will be is still unknown. As the post notes, there's a chance that this could only apply to phone calls.

Pixel "Memory"

"Remembering" has become commonplace for Google and its AI services. Last year, the company updated Gemini with "memory" that leveraged the user's "personal context." The latter concerns old chats you've had with the AI. If you were talking about new shoes or a place to travel to this summer, and you're asking about it again, Gemini would "remember" old conversations for better answers.

What joined this was "Temporary Chats," which let users ask quick, one-time questions that it doesn't want affecting Gemini in any way. Users can turn off Gemini's memory for your personal context. It seems wise to believe Google would produce something similar for Audio Memory, especially since having your phone "always listening"—or remembering—might not sit well. On the other hand, we have Personal Intelligence.

This has been talked about quite a bit these past few months. Gemini can use the user's photos, emails, and more to understand their interests. When you ask a specific question about a date you need to remember, Gemini would, for example, dip into your emails for you. We still need to see Google's true intentions with Audio Memory, but it might sit on a "useful" front like these other memory-based features.

Android Central's Take

I could really see Audio Memory useful for people who frequent meetings or for reporters. It's like always having your Recorder app active. If I were to hazard a guess, I'd figure Google would go this route. Transcriptions and all. It's still early, so maybe I'm way off base.

It's getting harder and harder to find a genuinely good mid-range Android phone, but Amazon's Prime Day sale has arrived at exactly the right time. Right now, the Google Pixel 10a is down by $75, making one of the best budget Android phones even easier to recommend.

With memory prices continuing to rise across the tech industry, budget and mid-range smartphones have been hit especially hard. Companies already operate on thinner margins in this segment, which means meaningful discounts on the best mid-range Android phones are becoming increasingly rare.

Thankfully, Google doesn't seem too concerned about that. The company has knocked 15% off the Pixel 10a during Prime Day, and after using the phone for nearly three months, I can confidently say it's about as good as it gets if you're looking for a clean Android experience without spending flagship money.

• Prime Day is June 23-26: see the full list of deals

✅Recommended if: you want a mid-range Android phone with long software support, fast Android updates, a compact design, and excellent battery life.

❌Skip this deal if: you want built-in Qi2 magnets, thinner display bezels, or top-tier gaming performance.

The Pixel 10a may not look dramatically different from the Pixel 9a, but Google has made enough improvements to keep it competitive. One of my favorite things about the phone is that it's still the only Android phone around with virtually no camera bump. The cameras sit flush with the back, which means you can comfortably use it without a case and not worry about the camera housing sticking out.

Google has also added a slightly larger 5,100mAh battery and bumped wired charging speeds up to 30W. And if you're someone who keeps phones for years, another important addition is Emergency SOS via satellite. That means you can still contact emergency services even if you're somewhere without cellular coverage or Wi-Fi.

Of course, it's not perfect. Some AI features available on the flagship Pixel 10 lineup are missing here. You also don't get the built-in Qi2 magnets found on the rest of the Pixel 10 family. And while the Tensor G4 remains perfectly fine for everyday use, it isn't the most powerful chip if gaming is a priority.

Still, if you're looking for a phone that gets Android updates quickly, already runs Android 17, and should remain supported for years to come, the Pixel 10a is one of the easiest Prime Day deals to recommend.

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

Google Pixel phones offer many customization tools, but up until recently, the Pixel UI home screen was more restrictive. Google only recently made it possible to remove the At a Glance widget from your home screen, for instance. While past Pixel Drops brought fresh theme packs and style choices, the latest Android 17 update adds a hidden home screen customization option that can seriously simplify your setup.

I keep my home screen basic, only including a few home screen widgets and the most important apps. For everything else, I use the app launcher or search bar. That means I know exactly which apps and icons are on my home screen without needing to look at their names. Finally, Android 17 lets me remove the redundant app names from my home screen for a cleaner look.

Pixel home screen customization just leveled up

The easiest way to change your Pixel home screen is to hold down anywhere on it that isn't covered by an app or widget. This brings up a small menu with the Wallpaper & style, Widgets, Apps list, and Home settings buttons. You can even switch between default wallpapers straight from this tiny menu on the home screen. To customize your phone's look, tap Wallpaper & style.

Here, you'll be able to pick a Theme pack, change your phone's Colors, set a Color contrast settings, manage your Icons, and choose a Layout. This isn't new, but Android 17 adds a setting on the Icons page. Previously, you could choose an app icon Style or change the app icon Shape.

There are five shapes to choose from, and the styles are abundant. You can pick Default or Minimal — the latter forces all your app icons to match your selected color palette, creating a consistent look I almost always prefer. There's also the Create option, which lets you build custom app icon designs by starting with one of six styles: Disco, Scribbles, Cookies, Easel, Treasure, and Stardust.

Android 17 adds a new Names tab to the Icons page, and it's where you can choose to show or hide app names on your home screen.

How I hide app names on my Pixel

I changed the look of my home screen in seconds by hiding app names. To do it, I simply held down on my home screen wallpaper, pressed Wallpaper & style, and tapped Icons. Then, I switched to the Names tab and flipped the toggle beside Show app names to the off position.

There's a virtual render of your home screen displayed on this page that adapts as you change the look of your app icons. So, you can flip the toggle beside Show app names a few times, watching how your home screen changes. If you like the minimalist look of the Pixel home screen without app names, leave the toggle off.

By default, app names are still shown on the Pixel home screen in Android 17. Nothing will change unless you want it to — but the option to remove app names from the Pixel UI home screen is something Pixel fans have long wanted. Keep in mind that if you hide app names from your Pixel home screen, they'll still appear in the app drawer.

My entire home screen is finally as clean as the dock

Android 17 is a neat update for my Pixel phones, and I love that Google continues to add new customization features. The previous app icon customization interface was already one of the best available on any Android skin, but it was missing something basic — hiding app names.

Now, my entire home screen looks as clean as the app dock. No names, just a minimal setup with app icons and widgets.

With stable Android 17 finally rolling out to Pixel devices, there are a ton of new features for us to try out. During The Android Show, Google highlighted new social-media-focused features, and now we're finally getting a look at some of them, which aim to enhance your experience creating content for apps like Instagram.

One such feature is screen reactions, a new built-in capability that removes some of the effort that would normally require a third-party app or fancy app techniques. And I admit, for a relatively simple feature, it's quite ingenious, and I'm surprised Google had the wherewithal to launch it with Android 17.

Screen Reactions is a surprisingly effective feature

If you're on Instagram or TikTok, then you've probably seen them. Many of my favorite content creators react to news, images, or other videos by inserting a small floating video of themselves. Reaction videos like this are quite effective, as they let viewers see both the original content and the reaction, and sometimes the reaction is better or funnier than the original.

I'm a casual social media user, but I have dabbled in making Reels every now and then. However, given my limited knowledge of creating social media content, this type of reaction video has always eluded me. And I know there are built-in functions to help create these types of videos, like a virtual green screen, but I've not wanted to take the time to figure it out, though I'm sure it's a fairly easy process.

Now, I don't have to figure it out. Because Screen Reactions is built into the screen record function on my Pixel 10, creating this type of reaction video just takes a few taps, without futzing with different app methods to achieve the same effect. And you can edit the clips on-device or put finishing touches in Instagram or TikTok. It's not perfect, but it feels like it just lowered the barrier to entry for anyone wanting to create content on social media.

How to use Screen Reactions on your Pixel 10

1. Swipe down from the top of your screen to open the Quick Settings menu.

2. Tap the Screen Record button. You may need to edit your Quick Settings menu and add the button if it's not already there.

3. Toggle on Show selfie camera. This will automatically turn on the Record microphone option.

4. Tap the color palette icon to enable a color background. Tap any color to show the background or tap it again to turn it off.

5. Tap Start to begin recording.

6. When you're done, tap the live notification and tap Stop to end recording.

7. You can go straight to recording another clip, delete the clip you just recorded, or edit the clip to your liking using Google Photos editing features.

Once you're done with each clip, you can edit them together in the Google Photos app or use a third-party app such as Instagram and TikTok to add finishing touches.

Things to keep in mind

Screen Reactions is a cool feature, but it's not perfect, and there are some limitations worth noting. The first thing you should know is that it only works when screen recording is set to record the entire screen; it won't work if you just want to record a specific app. That means anything that appears on the screen will be captured in the recording, including when you adjust the volume, open the notification shade, tap the live notification to stop the recording, etc.

It makes sense why it would be the entire screen, as your reaction could very well involve using your phone and diffing into its settings or switching to multiple apps, but it's just something to keep in mind.

My first instinct was to try recording a Screen Reaction on a full-screen Reel to get cleaner video with fewer Instagram UI elements. For some reason, Reels won't appear if you try this method; you'll just see a black screen and your selfie video. TikTok's Clear Display does work, however, so that may be an alternative, or you could just download the Reel or TikTok if that option's available.

Another downside of Screen Reaction recording the entire screen is that you'll also see your screen recording status icon in the notification shade. I don't know about you, but this looks kind of tacky, and I wish there were a way to leave this out of the recording. It's probably the one way Instagram or TikTok's green screen effects are better than the built-in function.

Perhaps an updated version of Screen Record could include an option to hide these extra on-screen elements from the recording, ensuring the video looks as clean as if you recorded it with Instagram or TikTok's tools.

It would also be nice if stopping the recording wasn't a two-step process of taping the live notification at the top of the screen and then the stop button. Google should place a stop or pause button somewhere more accessible so I'm not reaching in front of the selfie camera to stop recording.

Still, despite some quirky and questionable UI choices, I think this is a great feature that takes away much of the complications of making a reaction video for social media. If you have a Pixel smartphone, you should give it a try. I can't wait to see how other OEMs implement this feature when Android 17 rolls out to other Android phones.

Android 17 is bringing a few exciting improvements to Google Pixel phones, and Bubbles may be the biggest one. Pop-up and floating windows are nothing new for Android users, but they've never been built into Pixel UI. Instead, power users had to turn to other operating systems like Samsung's One UI to multitask with floating windows.

Google was already familiar with floating windows and pop-up views because Android already supported Bubbles for messaging apps. Back then, I found them more annoying than helpful. I only activated conversation bubbles by accident and never saw the value in them. After trying the upgraded Bubbles experience for apps and multitasking in Android 17, I'm a believer.

Here's how you can try app bubbles with Android 17 for yourself, and how the Pixel experience compares to the Galaxy one.

App bubbles are a new way to multitask on Pixel

Google Pixel phones already support multitasking with split-screen views. Open an app, use the app switcher, and press the app's name to reveal a Split screen button. Then, Pixel users can pick a second app to create a split-screen layout. They can drag the slider in the middle to adjust the split ratio.

For traditional Android phones, a 50:50 horizontal split is the default, but you can drag the slider to the 90:10 position to unlock a new Android 16 feature. In this mode, one app takes up most of your phone screen, while the secondary app remains greyed out. Tapping the unused, secondary app flips the ratio. It's a great solution for when you want to use two apps in (mostly) full-screen mode without having to use the app switcher.

Android 16 didn't offer a better way to use more than two apps at once, however. Android 17 finally addresses this problem with app bubbles. You can use up to five at once, and it's a convenient way to multitask when the regular split-screen mode won't cut it. Essentially, the apps stay minimized in bubble form, and tapping them reveals a floating window that lets you use the app over whatever is on your screen.

I rarely used split-screen views on my Pixel phones for multitasking, but Bubbles seem much easier to create and are fun to use.

Add up to five apps to an Android 17 bubble group

Bubbles are a core part of the Android 17 experience by default. Surprisingly, you can't create them in the same way you would a split-screen view. Instead, you need to create Bubbles by physically holding down on an app's icon on the home screen or app drawer. Find the app you want to turn into a bubble, and hold down on it to reveal the shortcut menu.

If the app doesn't offer a custom shortcut, you'll see a button with a new icon beside the word Bubble. This icon looks like a window being minimized, with an arrow pointing toward a dot. If the app does have custom shortcuts, you'll only see the Bubble icon — not the text. Either way, tapping the Bubble button in an app's shortcut menu will open your first app bubble.

The floating app window takes up most of the screen, and you'll see all the bubbles in your group above it. If this is your first bubble, you can press the + button to add apps you've recently used in bubble form. To add an app that you haven't recently used as a bubble, find it in the app drawer, open the shortcut menu, and tap the Bubble button.

You can fit up to five in a bubble group and switch between them by tapping each bubble icon. They reorder as you use them, so the most recently used app icons appear first. Tap away from the app bubble, and you'll return to wherever you were before opening the bubble. The bubble or bubble group will appear as a tiny icon on your screen that you can move wherever you'd like.

There are a few ways to close a bubble. If you only want to close one, you can open it, tap the Manage button, and hit Dismiss bubble. To close every bubble in a group, grab the bubble icon and drag it toward the Close button at the bottom of the screen, then release.

Foldable users get a different app bubble experience

If you have a Pixel Fold, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, or Pixel 10 Pro Fold, the Bubbles experience will be different when you open the main display. Here, Bubbles appear as part of the Taskbar. Besides your Taskbar's dock apps and recently used apps, you'll see the Bubbles group in the corner. You can tap the app bubble or group to open the floating window, but it'll still only take up a small portion of just one half of the screen.

The great thing about the way Bubbles work on the inner screen of folding phones is that they stay completely hidden as you use your device. In minimized form, Bubbles — like the rest of the Taskbar — are stowed away as you use other apps. Swiping up from the bottom opens the Taskbar and reveals your Bubbles.

I love Android 17's app bubbles, but there's a catch

Bubbles are a clever way to multitask smarter on your Pixel devices, especially if you have a Pixel Fold device. However, they don't match up perfectly with floating windows and pop-up views on Samsung Galaxy phones.

The One UI 8.5 experience is more powerful, as you can move floating windows anywhere, resize them, or separate them. You can also create floating windows from the app switcher in One UI, whereas you need to go to the home screen or app drawer in Pixel UI.

So, while the Bubbles experience in Android 17 needs work before it can be a true One UI competitor, it's a great step in the right direction for Pixel users.

What you need to know

• Some Android 17 users report home screen widgets disappearing after installing the stable update.
• The bug appears limited to devices that have a work profile configured on the phone.
• Google has acknowledged the issue and says a software update with a fix is already in development.

If you're facing an issue where widgets are disappearing from your home screen after updating to Android 17, Google is already aware of the problem and says a fix is on the way.

Google released the stable Android 17 update to the public this week, and Pixel devices have already started receiving it. While the rollout has generally been smooth, shipping a major Android release without a few bugs is never easy. One issue that has surfaced affects home screen widgets for some users.

According to reports, widgets are randomly disappearing after updating to Android 17. Thankfully, the bug appears to be limited to users who have a work profile set up on their phone. If you don't use a work profile, you're unlikely to run into this issue.

The good news is that Google has already acknowledged the bug. Android Community Engagement Manager Mishaal Rahman confirmed on Reddit that the company is "aware of this bug (it seems to affect Work Profile users) and that a fix will be rolled out in a software update soon."

Users affected by the issue say they lost access to their home screen widgets immediately after installing Android 17. Right now, there isn't really a proper workaround available other than removing the work profile entirely.

If you do remove the work profile, restart the phone, and then manually re-add the widgets, they should return. However, if you rely on your work profile, you'll unfortunately have to choose between keeping it enabled or having access to your widgets for the time being.

Google hasn't provided a timeline for the fix yet, but based on the company's usual update schedule, it would not be surprising to see the patch arrive with next month's security update.

Android Central's Take

I didn't even know this bug existed because I don't use a work profile, but widgets are a huge part of what makes Android feel like Android. Thankfully, Google already has a fix in the works.

What you need to know

• Google detailed its June security patch for Pixel phones shortly after Android 17 and its Pixel Drop went live.
• The company is still focused on fixing lingering display problems, as well as battery charging issues that weren't quite solved in May.
• Android 17 brings a few new features for Pixels, but it also bolsters security and threat detection.

Google's busy week continues as a new security patch is rolling out for its Pixels, carrying a series of fixes for the latest software.

Android 17 launched this week, and Pixels are receiving a June Drop loaded with features. Now, a June security patch has been detailed with a substantial number of fixes for Pixel phones. The update is rolling out for Pixel 6 and newer devices, marked as vCP2A.260605.012 for global units. Google's extensive patch notes clue us into several "Display & Graphics" issue fixes that have plagued Pixel phones for the past few months.

The two fixes that apply only to the Pixel 10 series in this category involve a strange "white flickering dot" and "graphical errors" during standard operations. A third graphics fix concerns the Pixel 8 series, Pixel Fold, and the Pixel Tablet. Google says it's rolling out a solution for a device freeze occurring when connected to an external display.

The Pixel camera has been an issue for Pixel users recently, too. The Pixel 9 and 10 series are receiving a fix for a system crash. Fixes for camera app freezes and crashes are also included in this patch. On the flip side, Pixel battery and power consumption problems have continued to plague Google. This month, a slow wireless charging speed issue should be fixed, alongside a fix for failed wireless and wired charging drivers "during device setup."

Unstable audio was another focus for Google that's now being fixed, alongside two problems impacting app crashes and Backup settings.

A laundry list

As usual, this Pixel patch is rolling out gradually to users. We might not all see it at the same time, so be on the lookout for it to hit your phone soon.

We've gone back-to-back now with patches aimed at critical charging and display problems for Google's Pixels. In May, slow wireless charging issues were a primary concern for the company. At the time, users reported experiencing slowed speeds between 75% and 80% battery. Curiously, this same issue was credited for the issues affecting Pixels in June, too, meaning the problem wasn't completely eradicated.

Hopefully these fixes clean up whatever's remaining. Fuzzy, frozen, and strange display artifacts were problematic for the Pixel 10 series in May.

On the bright side, Google's June patch joins the huge Pixel Drop. Android 17 is finally here, and the company has started rolling out the new OS and these new Pixel features to users. "Bubbles" and the "Bubble Bar" are two new features for Pixels and folds, offering a new way to easily multitask between apps. "Screen reactions" lets you place a selfie video of yourself over a screen recording to simulate a green screen without the extra gear.

Android Central's Take

Extensive fixes can often follow Google's Pixel Drops. I feel like it's more now considering Android 17 is here, and any lingering issues from the last minutes of testing are getting fixed with it. Here's to smooth sailing for any users with Pixels affected by crashes and bugs.

What you need to know

• Google's June Pixel Drop brings a few new features to its Pixel phones and folds, such as "Screen reactions" that integrates selfie videos with screen recordings in Android 17.
• Another Android 17-based feature is "Bubbles," giving Pixel users new ways to hop between apps, which is also known as "Bubble Bar" on Folds.
• Google expands several features to more Pixel phones and users in more countries, alongside an "Emergency Detection" update for Pixel Watch.

Google's Pixels are updating this week as a massive June Drop heads to the brand's phones and watch.

A shared press release breaks down the June Pixel Drop, which will begin rolling out today (June 16) to Pixel phones and the Pixel Watch. What makes this more exciting is that Android 17 is officially here, and it's rolling out to Pixel phones. This is important for the Pixel Drop, as Google highlights "Screen reactions." Google says selfie videos are now integrated with your screen recordings, meaning users can create a "green screen without needing other apps."

This is becoming available on all Pixel phones and folds with Android 17.

Elsewhere, "Bubbles" are the newest feature rolling out to all Android 17 Pixel phones and folds. With Bubbles, users can "turn apps like your browser, calendar, and Gemini into floating bubbles over your main screen." However, eligible Pixel Folds are getting a "Bubble Bar." This is a new UI that brings organization to users' phones, enabling quick access from one bubble to another.

This month's Pixel Drop involves a few notable feature expansions, too. Conversational photo editing in Google Photos is rolling out to Pixel devices in Germany, the UK, France, Spain, and Italy. Now, users in these countries can lean on Gemini to make quick photo edits without having to dive into the tools themselves (Pixel 6 and newer). Voice Translate is expanding to the Pixel 10a, while Quick Share's compatibility with AirDrop extends to the Pixel 9a and 8a.

Manual Call Screen lets users avoid unwanted interactions by telling their phone's Call Screen to answer for them. This feature is headed to India in June. Google says users in the country can expect it on the Pixel 10 series, including the Pixel 10 Pro Fold.

Magic Cue's contextual suggestions while you're operating your phone expand to "additional messaging apps." However, Google states this feature is still mainly supported on the Pixel 10 series. Lastly, we're seeing "Take a Message" appear on Pixel 6 and newer phones in "more markets." For India, this is restricted to the Pixel 10 series. Google adds that this expansion is joined by "Custom Greetings," enabling users to record an outgoing message when you've missed or declined a call.

Your device will still provide real-time transcriptions.

Pixel AI

Google's AI has taken a bit of a backseat in June's Drop, but there are two updates you should know about: Gemini Omni and Lyria 3. Gemini Omni took the stage during I/O 2026, giving us a pretty good preview of the AI's video editing and generative capabilities. Today, Google says Gemini Omni is rolling out on "all devices with the Gemini app for Gemini Pro users." Users can chat with Gemini, telling it what they'd like it to create, and it will provide a "high-quality" result.

Lyria 3 is an AI built around music using your text prompts or submitted images. Users can tell Gemini the style they're going for, as well as vocals and tempo. This is rolling out to all Android 17 Pixel phones and folds.

Pixel Watch comes in clutch

Emergency Detection is the next step for user safety for Google's Pixel Watch. It states that its June Drop will integrate emergency sharing into major features, such as Car Crash, Fall, and Loss of Pulse detection. Google says that if your Pixel Watch detects a "severe event," it will contact emergency services and alert your chosen contacts. Users will find in-depth customization tools for who gets alerted if a severe event is detected, and for which type of event.

Users can expect this feature to begin rolling out on the Pixel Watch on June 16 and beyond.

Android Central's Take

Google's Pixel Drops are always interesting to sift through and see what's new. Many of these features hold a bit more excitement since they coincide with Android 17's launch. Bubbles are a pretty interesting way to manage your apps. It's basically another multitasking tool that's a bit easier to manage. The expanded features is also a plus for users awaiting them, especially that Quick Share/AirDrop expansion.

What you need to know

• School is out, and Google's rolling out a parental control update for parents with kids who have phones, as we prepare to download Android 17.
• In the Settings menu, these controls bring a daily limit, app limits, and downtime schedule.
• Parents can also select a rating limit for apps on the Play Store, so if you want the highest restriction, "E" for everyone is ideal.

Amid Google's already packed Tuesday with a Pixel Drop and Android 17, now the company is detailing new parental controls.

This afternoon (June 16), Google highlighted a series of parental control updates for parents managing the summer with kids who have phones. As Android 17 makes its rounds to Pixels, Google says users will find an updated selection of Android Parental Controls on phones that receive this upgrade. Located in the Settings menu, parents can "set the amount of screen time your child can spend on a device each day to help establish healthy habits."

Outside of this screen time, parents will have access to "downtime schedules." This puts a limiter on your child's device, ensuring they're not watching YouTube videos all night. Google states downtime schedules will "automatically lock the device." Google Play Store gets in on these parental controls. Parents will find age ratings similar to those for a game (remember "E" for Everyone?).

Similarly, the "Everyone" setting is the Play Store's "most restrictive" setting. Controls include "Everyone 10 Plus," "Teen," "Mature 17 Plus," "Adult only 18 Plus," and "Allow all, including unrated." As you'd imagine, this final option is the least restrictive, allowing users to see anything and everything on the Play Store.

With so many apps, parents can set limits on app usage on their child's device. Moreover, parents can block apps entirely to ensure they're never opened.

Android's parental controls advance

Google gives parents a heads-up, stating that their controls can be protected by a PIN. What's more, these controls can directly tie into Android's Family Link. This opens a new series of options, such as School Time, which helps make sure your child is focusing on their studies and not scrolling in class. Family Link also brings purchase approvals from the Play Store, location alerts, and more.

These updates should begin rolling out soon.

It's interesting to hear a reference to School Time, as it's a bit of an older feature Google introduced for parents. This gives parents the ability to control when their child's phone should lock down and for how long. Considering school is five days a week, you can decide to activate it Monday through Friday from, say, 8 AM to 2:15 PM. Through Family Link, parents can see the apps their child uses during school. Kids have the ability to see a list of what apps they can use, which parents decide beforehand.

Parents can even curate a list of contacts their kid is allowed to text or call during school hours.

What you need to know

• Google has reportedly spoken up about the bootloop issues affecting several Pixel series on its Issue Tracker.
• The company is encouraging users to submit a proper support ticket and to mention the bootloop issue, as a fix seemingly varies from device to device.
• Users in March said their devices couldn't make it past the initial "G" logo when starting, and this has continued in April and May.

Pixel users have been grappling with a stifling bootloop issue after Google's recent updates over the past few months. The company is now reportedly coming forward with suggestions for users.

There is quite a lengthy thread on Google's Issue Tracker full of reports from various Pixel users about this bootloop (via Android Authority). There are hundreds of comments from affected users, and over 400 upvotes. A silent nod that even more are having issues. Users' phones are stuck on the initial "G" logo, which always appears when turning on your phone (or during a restart). Posts mention having this issue on a Pixel 4a, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 9, and more.

The publication found a recent reply from Google that seems to offer light at the end of the tunnel.

This solution might take time, though. The company's post reads, "Thank you for your continued patience as we’ve been investigating a startup or bootloop issue following the March, April, or May software updates causing devices to freeze on the G-logo or initial boot screen and locking out and rebooting immediately after entering a PIN."

Supposedly, Google has found that narrowing down a solution varies on a case-by-case basis. Or, in this scenario, device by device. Google says the only way to reach the "best path" forward to solve this issue is to contact its support team. It encourages users to state in their ticket what their issue is: "reboot loop issue after recent software update."

Pixel troubles

We first saw reports mention Pixel booting issues early in March after Google rolled out its monthly security patch. Users mentioned the same things they've continued to mention for months: they are unable to reach their device's true experience because they can't make it past the "G" logo. Users with Pixel 10 phones and several past-gen devices were reported in March.

To make matters worse, some users received a "Cannot load Android system and data corrupt" error message when trying to boot up their phones. Strangely, users have said they've been encountering this issue in April and May's security updates. At the time, one user said their Pixel 8 wouldn't even turn on. They were able to get it to illuminate after plugging in its charger, but the bootloop quickly ensued.

Google is working on things, at least. Though it's not really clear if many users are finding a proper (or quick) solution.

What you need to know

• Google has shut down Pixel Studio image generation and now redirects users to use the Gemini app for powerful Nano Banana models.
• Pixel Studio version 2.3 completely disables image creation after Google gradually removed features.
• Existing images remain accessible inside Pixel Studio, allowing users to continue viewing and sharing them.

Nearly two years after its debut, Google has officially killed the Pixel Studio image generation app for Pixel devices.

When the Pixel 9 series launched in 2024, Google introduced Pixel Studio as an on-device image generation app aimed at creating things like greeting cards, stickers, and AI-generated images directly on Pixel phones. But despite Google's efforts, the app never really found a large audience, and now it's being shut down less than two years later.

Google has confirmed that Pixel Studio is effectively being discontinued with the latest version 2.3 update. Instead of generating images itself, the app now directs users to Gemini for image creation using Google's newer Nano Banana models.

Over the past few updates, Google had already started stripping away parts of the Pixel Studio experience, but the latest version goes a step further by completely disabling image generation (via 9to5Google).

The app now prominently displays an 'Open Gemini' button that redirects users to the Play Store and encourages them to use Nano Banana through the Gemini app instead.

That said, existing creations aren't disappearing. If you've previously generated images inside Pixel Studio, those creations will still remain accessible within the app and can continue to be viewed or shared.

Honestly, Google already offers several different ways to generate images across Android, and with how much better and faster the latest Gemini-powered image models have become, I'm not sure many people will actually miss Pixel Studio. It always felt like one of those Pixel features that most users either never discovered or never really cared about in the first place.

The summer travel season is upon us, which means many folks are searching for a new Android phone to accompany them on their adventures. There are plenty of devices that should serve as ideal companions when you hit the road, although finding the perfect phone for you may take a bit of research. Fortunately, I'm here to help.

When shopping for a travel-ready Android phone, you'll probably want to prioritize battery life and camera hardware first and foremost. You may also want to confirm that your new device has eSIM compatibility and a rugged build. Needless to say, I've gathered some of my favorite Android phones for travel into this guide, with versatile selections from Samsung, Google, Motorola, and beyond. Wherever you're going and however much you want to spend, your new feature-packed travel buddy can be found below. Happy trails!

Which Android phones are best for travel?

The best Android phone for travel will depend on a few factors, such as where you're going, what you'll be doing, and how much you want to spend. Taking in the sights in some famous international city? You'll want a device with a good camera. Planning a white-water rafting trip or a long-distance hike? The answer will be a rugged phone with good battery life and a high water-and-dust resistance rating.

That being said, I selected the phones above because they're some of the most versatile and complete phones on the market. The Google Pixel 10 Pro, for instance, is packed full of the latest camera tech and handy AI features such as real-time Voice Translate, while the OnePlus 15 boasts up to three days of battery life AND an impressive IP69K water-and-dust resistance rating.

What features should I look for in a travel-ready smartphone?

Like I mentioned above, desirable features in a travel phone will depend on where you're going and how you're planning to use the device. With that said, I would prioritize battery life, camera tech, and durability above all else when choosing a phone for your summer travels.

After all, modern smartphones are not just for calling and checking social media. In many situations, your Android phone will be your boarding pass and train ticket. It might also be your translator, map, and even your wallet, so it's important to choose a phone that will handle all of these jobs with ease.

What is eSIM?

Embedded Subscriber Identity Modules, or eSIM, is a digital technology on many smartphones that replaces the physical SIM card used to store user information on a device. In other words, it's a relatively new technology that lets you easily swap phones or wireless plans in minutes, rather than having to move a tiny physical chip from one device to another.

Phones that are eSIM-compatible are particularly useful when traveling, since you can quickly switch to an international phone plan directly from your device. It's also better for security reasons, since you won't have to worry about a physical chip being tampered with or stolen. Some compatible devices will even let you manage multiple eSIMs simultaneously, which means staying connected while traveling is easier than ever before.

Good things come to those who wait, especially when it comes to smartphone deals. For example, 2025's Google Pixel 10 Pro — which used to be a bit unapproachable because of its $1,000 price tag — is no longer the new kid on the block, which means you can find some pretty exceptional deals on the phone if you know where to look.

Verizon will now give you the Pro for FREE when you add with an eligible unlimited plan on the carrier's website. As if that wasn't enough, Verizon will also give you a free $100 gift card AND waive the $40 activation fee.

Furthermore, unlike some carrier deals, you don't need to sign up for Verizon's most expensive data plan to be eligible — the Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, and Unlimited Ultimate plans will all earn you the max savings. That's $1,140 of free stuff, and all you need to do is add a line (which you were probably going to do anyway).

Google's greatest creation is now FREE at Verizon

• See the full list of deals at Verizon today

The Google Pixel 10 Pro topped our list of the best AI phones that money can buy, and for good reason. The super-powered flagship is packed with the latest Gemini implementation and on-device processing, allowing you to use exclusive features like Magic Cue and Daily Hub straight out of the box.

The phone is also equipped with the efficient Tensor G5 processor and 16GB of RAM, plus you get a 6.3-inch Super Actua OLED display that's simply a joy to behold. The Pixel 10 Pro also comes with 25W Qi2 magnetic charging, excellent haptics, and a bounty of new camera features, and like all of the best Google Pixel phones ever built, you're guaranteed seven years of OS and security upgrades.

Like I mentioned above, you'll need to add a line with one of Verizon's mainline unlimited plans to receive the $1,140 of savings. These start at $55/month for a single line, although you can drop that price down significantly by adding multiple lines in one go (four lines of the Unlimited Welcome plan costs $25/month per line, for instance). All plans come with unlimited talk, text, and data on Verizon's vast 5G network, plus you have the ability to mix and match additional perks such as international coverage, streaming subscriptions, and more.

Of course, if you prefer the simplicity of buying phones unlocked, it'd be understandable if you wanted to wait until Prime Day 2026 to buy a new Android phone. But if you're a Verizon user (or willing to switch) and you don't mind a bit of fine print, this is one of the best compelling phone deals on the web today.

What you need to know

• Thinborne pulled a classic; it debuted an early set of Pixel 11 cases, and there's a staggering change: a wider camera bar cutout.
• Nothing is confirmed—by Google, of course—but the wider camera could be to accommodate the rumored Pixel Glow LED lightning.
• Rumors are split about Pixel Glow, as some suggest it could be a light bar, while others claim it'll be nestled inside the bar itself.

Nothing is official, but that's not stopping Thinborne from crafting cases in preparation for Google's Pixel 11.

Early this morning (May 29), Thinborne shared what it's been cooking up for Google's next flagship series. Funnily enough, and as the company also joked about, nothing's that's different. Thinborne might've said "Google is still Google… they barely changed lol," but there's one huge change we can't help but mention: its camera cutout.

Thinborne's imagery seemingly showcases two Pixel 11 cases. What catches our attention is the phone case to the right, which is slightly wider than the one on the left. Android Central's Nicholas Sutrich wonders if this wider camera cutout is because of the long-rumored "Pixel Glow" we've been hearing about for weeks. There are assumptions everywhere, particularly because people are curious about what's going on.

When the company shared what it's been working on, it didn't specify which case belonged to which phone. If we're to guess (and this is wild speculation), perhaps the leftmost case belongs to the Pixel 11, leaving the right for the Pixel 11 Pro and 11 Pro XL. That would be ideal, but again, nothing's confirmed yet.

Room to glow?

This isn't the first time Thinborne has crafted cases for rumored phones. It did the same thing last year for the Pixel 10. The excitement was real when Thinborne dropped its "Super Thin" case collection, which sold out shortly after its reveal. Google hadn't said anything official, but consumers (and Thinborne) didn't care. The hype was real, much like this year.

"Pixel Glow" was mentioned in rumors alongside the Googlebook, positioned as a nostalgic light bar. We've already gotten the Googlebook and its glowing light bar, and that's still fueling hype for the Pixel 11 series getting something similar. Instead of flowing around the camera island, recent rumors claim Pixel Glow could sit inside the device's bar. This would involve roughly eight LEDs collected similarly to Nothing's Glyph Matrix or Bar.

Rumors generated a mockup of what this could look like. It showed this small LED array sitting to the right of the camera bar's flash. On the other hand, we have Google's I/O 2026, which got people buzzing after a Gemini segment seemingly teased the Pixel 11 and Pixel Glow. The model held a Pixel phone sideways near a mirror, and the camera bar adopted a vibrant light blue glow around its edge.

What you need a know

• Owners of the original Pixel Fold are having issues with their cover displays following a recent string of updates from Google.
• Users state their cover screens have become non-responsive (remain dark) once their device boots up, while others say an update forced a bootloop.
• One report says they encountered this issue after the May patch, which only offered a charging fix for every currently supported Pixel phone.

A few concerning reports have sprung up on Reddit about the O.G. Pixel Fold's recent display issues.

Reports started gaining traction on the PixelFold subreddit throughout the week, with one user saying their "cover screen is not displaying" (via Android Headlines). They add, "For the past few months, the cover screen would randomly go black and unresponsive. Sometimes it was the inner screen instead. Always random, always fixed by a reboot, so I never stressed about it." Things got worse this week, as the user states their first-gen Pixel Fold's battery ran dry, forcing them to charge.

Once the phone was charged, its cover display wouldn't illuminate. This blackout only concerns once the phone is fully booted. The user reports that starting their device brightens the cover to show the "G" logo, but nothing happens after. Another, more extensive report was highlighted by another user in this thread's comments. This user's issue is slightly different, but could be tied to a similar software issue. They state that following the April patch, their Pixel Fold was entrenched in a bootlop.

What's more, they can only get their phone to start if it's in "Tent Mode" (partially open). Their inner display will turn on as expected, but not their cover screen. Similar to the first report, the user says there is no damage on the cover display, pointing us again toward a software problem.

One user's comment says they started getting issues in May, but says others have encountered this way back in March. Right now, it looks like contacting Google's support is the only viable path forward if you're experiencing this issue.

Software-level

It's been a while since we've seen Pixel Fold issues so severe. There were early reports about the Pixel 9 Pro Fold that highlighted its 'sticky scrolling' issues. Users had a jarring experience, as their devices would stop scrolling after they removed their finger from the display. This isn't typically how screens work, as they're supposed to continue rolling out, especially if there's enough movement behind them.

It's a bit unsettling that these issues have (sort of) been a byproduct of the May security update. There were some display issues worked on by Google this month, but none for the Fold. That original model, as well as the subsequent one, received charging fixes. Something has clearly gone awry for Google's O.G. Fold, and users affected are forced to wait it out bitterly.

Android Central's Take

One of the most frustrating things is when there's an issue with no clear fix. A fix that the user can do in minutes and be done with. This issue seems like it lies within the phone's software, which means Google needs to fix it. Users should take this up with Google's support and offer as much information as possible. Even these Reddit reports could be good, too.

What you need to know

• Social media is buzzing after Google's I/O, but it's because users think it teased the Pixel 11 during the showcase.
• Google was busy showing off how Gemini Omni can alter reality for a video, and at the very end, the user's Pixel glows around its camera bar.
• Many think this could be the rumored Pixel Glow for the Pixel 11 series, but we're hesitating, considering the nature of the Omni showcase.

We're just starting to wind down from Google's (near) two-hour I/O livestream, but it looks like we're not done, as it might've teased the Pixel 11.

Android Central's Nicholas Sutrich spotted chatter on social media; people are buzzing, claiming Google's Gemini Omni portion teased the Pixel 11. This section was talking about how users can lean on Omni's video capabilities to "change reality with natural language." The model holds a Google Pixel sideways throughout the example, but at the very end, the space around its camera bar glows. An AI-generated disco ball accompanies this in the background.

What theories are going crazy over is whether or not this was a sneak peek at Google's "Pixel Glow." We're a bit hesitant to side with these theories. The first is because the company was highlighting the many ways its AI could alter reality, and show items or aspects that were never there. Secondly, the Pixel that the model is using appears to be in a case—potentially this one, to be exact.

Now, could it be possible that Google tried to sneak one past us? Absolutely. It's also hard to tell (considering how glowy the light is) if the illumination is within the camera bar cutout or outside of it. This Pixel Glow rumor is exciting, but recent reports suggest it might not look like this AI showcase.

Lets pump the breaks

Rumors late in April claimed Google was working on a new feature for the Pixel 11 series called "Pixel Glow." It was discovered in its code that this would involve approximately eight LEDs and would function similarly to a light bar. Earlier rumors involved talks about the same thing for Google's next laptops, which we've seen announced as Googlebook.

For phones, Pixel Glow would offer glanceable information, which reminds us of Nothing's Glyph Matrix (or Bar). However, a major Pixel 11 leak earlier this month suggests it might not be a "light bar," but a small RGB LED array inside the camera bar. Google might discontinue its temperature sensor to fit this in for the next series. Little more information has been speculated about Pixel Glow. It seems safe to say Google's AI, Gemini, will likely have a lot to do with it, though.