Google is reportedly planning to increase the starting prices for its upcoming Pixel 11 smartphone lineup and Pixel Watch 5 models due to rising global memory and storage costs.

Key Points

• The base 41mm Pixel Watch 5 is expected to start at $399, representing a $50 increase over the previous generation's starting price.
• Google may discontinue the 128GB storage option for the Pixel 11, effectively raising the entry-level price to €999 for the 256GB model.
• The Pixel 11 Pro, Pro XL, and Pro Fold are rumored to see price hikes ranging from €100 to €200 compared to their predecessors.
• Industry-wide memory and storage shortages, driven by high demand from AI development, are cited as the primary drivers for these hardware price adjustments.

Why it Matters

These price hikes reflect a broader industry trend where manufacturers are passing the costs of supply chain constraints and AI-related hardware demand onto consumers. By removing lower-capacity storage tiers, Google is effectively raising the barrier to entry for its flagship mobile and wearable devices.