Countdown: On August 12, 2026, Google will officially unveil the Pixel 11 Fold (Pixel 11 Pro Fold) at the Made by Google event in New York, with pre-orders opening at 17:00 Greek time — a full eight hours before the unveiling ceremony at 01:00 on August 13. The company has already released an official 15-second teaser confirming the new design, while valid leaks have revealed an upgraded triple camera, the new Pixel Glow LED and a European starting price of 1,999 euros. The SecNews technical team summarizes what is officially confirmed, what has been leaked with high reliability, when sales actually start and what the implications are for the Greek market ahead of the upcoming iPhone 18 Pro in September.
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Pixel 11 Fold: Official teaser and full launch schedule
On Sunday, August 3, 2026, Google officially released a 15-second teaser video for its upcoming foldable smartphone, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The slogan " To switch phones, you have to be open to what's new. And to what opens" serves as a clever nod to the device's folding mechanism. The video follows the style of the previous teaser for the Pixel 11 Pro (July 29) and confirms the new look with the characteristic hair-like cutout for the camera sensors.
The full launch schedule as seen from countdown timers on the Google Store and Best Buy:
- Pre-orders start: August 12, 10:00 AM ET
- Made by Google event: August 13, 01:00 Greek time (18:00 ET Aug 12) — livestream from New York
- Pixel 11 Pro retail availability: August 20 (about a week later)
- Pixel 11 Pro Fold retail availability: October 2026 — following the historical pattern of six-week delays for Google's foldables
The strategy of opening pre-orders eight hours before the event is a significant change. Last year, the delay was just one hour. Google is clearly looking to improve the conversion rate of fans who would enter the site on the night of the event.
Pixel 11 Pro Fold price: €1,999 for 256GB in Europe
Although the official announcement is pending, French retailer Dealabs, known for its accuracy in retail leaks, published European prices that were fully confirmed by Frandroid and Geeky Gadgets. The price increase of 100 euros per category is attributed by Shakil Barkat, VP of Google Devices, to the global memory shortage caused by the demand of AI data centers.
| Capacity | European price | USA (leaks) | United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 256GB | 1.999 € | 1.899 $ | 1.799 £ |
| 512GB | 2.129 € | 2.019 $ | 1.919 £ |
| 1TB | 2.389 € | 2.249 $ | 2.149 £ |
In Greece, based on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold's Greek price history, the starting price of the 256GB model is expected to be 2,099-2,199 euros due to shipping costs and 24% VAT. Official availability in the Greek market depends on official resellers — Public, Kotsovolos, Media Markt — and is usually delayed 2-4 weeks after the European launch.
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Total camera upgrade: 50MP + 48MP + 48MP with periscope
The most significant upgrade is the camera system. For the first time since the launch of the first Pixel Fold, Google is changing the entire sensor system. Official renders leaked by Evan Blass show:
- 50MP main camera — new sensor with expanded aperture area
- 48MP ultrawide — moved to the base of the camera module for improved angle
- 48MP periscope telephoto — top right location, with 5x optical zoom and 30x Super Zoom
- Cinematic Blur at 4K 30fps — new feature for filmic depth-of-field video
- Machine learning zoom up to 100x — oversampling with Gemini
The rearrangement of the camera bar is evident: the main and ultrawide sensors now share the lower pill-shaped housing, while the telephoto is placed alone in the upper right section. The flash and microphone have been integrated internally into the black glass monogram, eliminating the previous external diagram.
Pixel Glow LED: The return of the notification light after 8 years
Perhaps the most striking visual element of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is the new Pixel Glow — a colorful LED strip built into the camera bar that will light up in different colors to:
- Incoming calls and message notifications
- Charging status (green-orange-red depending on the percentage)
- Active interactions with Gemini AI — visual feedback during voice interactions
- Custom notification patterns per app (Slack, Gmail, Signal, etc.)
Pixel Glow is reminiscent of the notification LEDs on older Android smartphones (like the Nexus 6P), but in a much more advanced form. 9to5Google had discovered references to the feature as early as April 2026 in an early build of Android 17. Its appearance across the entire Pixel 11 series (not just the Pro Fold) positions it as a major built-in hardware feature.
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Tensor G6 at 2nm: A real technological upgrade
Inside, the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is powered by Google's new Tensor G6, built on TSMC's 2nm — a significant change from previous Tensor chips produced by Samsung. The processing architecture includes:
- 1 ARM C1-Ultra core at 4.11GHz — for high-performance tasks
- 4 C1-Pro performance cores at 3.38GHz — for daily workloads
- 2 C1-Pro efficiency cores at 2.65GHz — for background tasks and power saving
- MediaTek M90 modem — replaces the problematic Samsung Exynos that has been giving users connection problems for six years
- Titan M3 security chip — hardware-level protection for cryptographic keys
The move to TSMC 2nm means better battery life and reduced operating temperatures — two critical points for foldable devices where cooling space is limited. The 4,806 mAh with 30W wired charging remains relatively modest for a foldable in this category, but is expected to offer improved autonomy thanks to the G6's efficiency.
Screens, dimensions and connectivity
The internal foldable panel grows to 8 inches LTPO OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate (some leaks mention up to 144Hz in gaming mode). The external display has been reduced slightly to 6.3 inches OLED at 120Hz. The dimensions:
- Closed: 155.2 x 76 x 10.1 mm — reduced by 0.7 mm compared to the Pixel 10 Pro Fold
- Open: 155.2 x 150.4 x 4.8 mm — Google's thinnest foldable
- Weight: 239 grams
- Certification: IP68 for dust and water — a first for Pixel Fold
- Colors: Pine (sage green) and Midnight Haze
- Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB — base 128GB version discontinued
- RAM: 12GB or 16GB depending on capacity
Pixel 11 Pro Fold vs iPhone 18 Pro: The timing
Google is starting a month ahead of Apple. The iPhone 18 Pro is expected to be announced on September 9, 2026, with pre-orders starting on September 11 and shipping on September 18. The crucial point for Google: the iPhone 18 Pro will start at $1,299, meaning it has a serious four-week window to attract premium buyers before Apple unveils its own lineup.
However, for Greek buyers of a true foldable, the real comparison is not with the iPhone 18 Pro but with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8, which has been on sale since July. The Pixel 11 Pro Fold's price of 1,999 euros places it slightly below the Z Fold 8 Ultra, while the Gemini AI ecosystem is the main differentiator.
Pixel 11 Pro Fold FAQ
When exactly can I pre-order in Greece?
Pre-orders on the Google Store US open on August 12 at 17:00 Greek time. For Greek buyers, official access depends on geographic availability — the Google Store does not sell directly in Greece yet. Official pre-orders through Public, Kotsovolos and Media Markt are most likely to open in October, when retail availability begins.
Will Gemini AI work in Greek from day one?
Yes. Google is gradually expanding Greek language support for Gemini starting in February 2026. On the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, Voice Assistant, real-time translation, and Circle to Search fully support Greek. Some on-device features like Recorder Summary remain in beta.
Is it worth waiting for the iPhone 18 Pro instead of pre-ordering the Pixel 11 Pro Fold?
The answer depends on the ecosystem. If you rely on Google Workspace (Gmail, Drive, Photos), the Pixel 11 Pro Fold offers better integration. If you're in the Apple ecosystem (Mac, iPad, Watch), waiting for the iPhone 18 Pro makes sense. Furthermore, there is no iPhone alternative for the foldable form factor — Apple is preparing the first Ultra foldable iPhone but only for select markets.
Will there be a trade-in program for older Pixels?
Yes. Google always offers trade-ins for older Pixel devices, with typical prices of 400-700 euros for a Pixel 9 Pro Fold in good condition. At Best Buy, in fact, registered customers before August 11 receive a great promo code. In Greece, official resellers have similar exchange schemes through Public Buyback and other services.
How durable is the Pixel 11 Pro Fold's foldable panel?
Google claims 200,000 folds — that's about 100 times a day for 5-6 years. In practice, real-world lifespan depends on usage, dust, and temperature. The new IP68 certification (a first for a Pixel Fold) significantly improves water resistance.
When is the best time to buy if I'm not in a hurry?
Historically, Pixel Folds see 15-20% discounts in November for Black Friday and again in April for Spring. If you don't need it in October, waiting until Cyber Monday 2026 (November 30) can save you $300-$400.
The Pixel 11 Pro Fold is Google's boldest foldable yet. With the 2nm Tensor G6, a completely redesigned camera, and the new Pixel Glow visual identity, it is positioned squarely in the premium foldable market. Greek buyers will have to wait until October for retail availability, but the pre-order option from August 12 (via Google Store US or rerouted addresses) is available for those who want the first batch. The SecNews editorial team will cover the Made by Google event in real time and will publish hands-on first impressions as soon as it is released. Sources: 9to5Google, Android Headlines, Frandroid.
