Google's Vice President of Devices and Services, Shakil Barkat, has confirmed that the upcoming Pixel 11 will be priced higher than its predecessor, the Pixel 10, due to ongoing RAM supply challenges.
RAM Supply Issues
In an interview with 9to5 Google, Barkat explained that the price hike is a consequence of memory supply issues driven by the expansion of AI data centers. This has affected other tech giants like Apple, Nintendo, Microsoft, and Roku, which have also raised prices amidst increasing memory costs.
Consumer Impact
Barkat stated, "We have shielded our consumers from supply fluctuations for as long as possible, but the economics have fundamentally shifted and we're not immune to that." He added that the Pixel lineup would undergo pricing "adjustments" in response to these supply realities.
The base model Pixel 11 is expected to start at $899, featuring 256GB of storage, up from the previous 128GB. Meanwhile, the Pixel 11 Pro is rumored to reduce its RAM from 16GB to 12GB. These changes reflect Google's strategy to manage supply chain issues while still offering competitive features.
Upcoming Announcement
The official announcement for the next generation of Pixel devices is scheduled for August 12th, where further details and specifications will be revealed. These adjustments align with the broader industry trend of adapting to resource constraints while maintaining product appeal.
Google's approach reflects a balance between absorbing some of the increased costs and passing some onto consumers, a necessity given the current supply chain environment.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/tech/971041/google-confirms-pixel-11-price-hike
