Google Confirms Pixel 11 Price Hike Amid Global RAM Shortage
A sixfold surge in memory costs forces Google to raise prices and optimize Android for leaner hardware.
Google has confirmed the Pixel 11 series will cost more at launch later this year, citing a severe global RAM shortage that has sent component prices soaring.
Shakil Barkat, Google's VP of Devices and Services, told 9to5Google the hardware division has been "heavily impacted by a severe, supplier-driven RAM memory crisis." The statement marks a rare moment of transparency from a major smartphone manufacturer about supply chain forces driving retail prices higher.
RAM Costs Surge Sixfold
Morgan Stanley data shows the price of 1GB of RAM jumped from $2.80 in 2025 to $12 in 2026 — roughly a sixfold increase in a single year. The spike has rippled across the industry, with Samsung also raising prices on its Galaxy Z Fold8 and Z Flip8 lineup earlier this year.
Google said the price adjustments will affect both the upcoming Pixel 11 devices and some current models already on the market. Specific pricing figures circulating online remain unconfirmed leaks rather than official announcements.
Software Optimization as Countermeasure
Rather than passing all costs to consumers, Google is pursuing a parallel strategy: making Android itself more memory-efficient. Barkat said the company is working to enable "devices to have less RAM while maintaining a great user experience."
This software-first approach could allow Google to offset some hardware constraints without degrading performance, reflecting a broader industry shift as manufacturers grapple with component shortages showing no sign of abating.
Industry-Wide Pressure
Multiple outlets including 9to5Google, Android Central, The Verge, Android Headlines, Indian Express, and The Next Web have reported on Google's confirmation. The consistency across sources underscores the severity of the RAM shortage and its tangible impact on consumer pricing.
For Pixel fans, the news ends months of speculation about whether Google could hold the line on pricing. The answer is no — at least not without trade-offs elsewhere in the hardware stack.
Google did not specify which current models would see price changes or provide a timeline for when the increases would take effect. The company is expected to share more details about the Pixel 11 lineup at its fall hardware event.