This year, we have already seen some big hardware upgrades in the flagships including the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Vivo X300 Ultra, Xiaomi 17 Ultra and Oppo Find X9 Ultra. But we have not seen everything yet. Both Google and Apple are expected to come with their new devices later this year- Pixel 11 series and iPhone 18 Pro series.
While Google is reportedly preparing to unveil the entire Pixel 11 lineup around August 2026, Apple may take a different route by splitting its launches. Reports suggest the iPhone 18 Pro models and Apple’s first foldable device could arrive in late 2026, while standard iPhone 18 variants may follow in spring 2027. But the plans? It is the same- AI first approach, 2nm fabricated chips and upgrades. Here’s how the two flagship lineups are expected to compare.
The leaks have already suggested that both the smartphone makers will move towards TSMC’s 2nm manufacturing process. On one hand, Apple is said to offer A20 Pro chipset with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, while Google is tipped to debut the Tensor G6 processor inside the Pixel 11 Pro series. This shift to smaller fabrication nodes is said to improve power efficiency, thermal performance and on device AI processing capabilities.
Apple is also said to continue using the custom silicon strategy with an in-house upgraded C2 modem. Google, meanwhile, might use the newer MediaTek M90 modem and ditch the Samsung modem hardware.
We may also get to see memory upgrades despite the rising prices. As per the reports, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro series is said to offer up to 12GB RAM. On the other hand, Google may start with 8GB RAM on the standard Pixel 11 to between 12GB and 16GB RAM on higher-end Pro variants.
Storage options may start at 256GB on the iPhone 18 Pro series, while Google’s base Pixel 11 could continue offering 128GB storage alongside higher-capacity variants.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro lineup can offer Samsung’s M16 LTPO+ OLED panels with an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. Google might use Samsung’s latest M16 Actua and Super Actua OLED panels across the Pixel 11 series with possible refresh rates of up to 144Hz. All the devices are said to offer a peak brightness above 3,000 nits. The iPhone 18 Pro series may offer a smaller dynamic island and the Google Pixel 11 Pro series may get punch holes cut out.
Apple’s upcoming iPhone 18 Pro series is said to feature camera upgrades, battery and design improvements along with AI upgrade. Among the most talked about changes will be Apple Intelligence and Siri AI, thanks to the iOS 27 update. As announced at WWDC 2026, the company will introduce a host of new AI features including much smarter Siri that can act as an agent for the users.
Adding on, the iPhone 18 Pro series camera may also offer a variable aperture primary camera allowing the lens to physically adjust how much light enters the sensor. The sensors may also see an upgrade with major focus on improvement in low light photography and depth control.
The battery technology is also said to improve. The device may offer either a 5,000 mAh or 5,200 mAh battery, but may also increase the weight of the device.
Google is also expected to go big with AI and photography. The Pixel 11 series may get Tensor G6 chipset to support fully on-device Night Sight video processing. Instead of relying on cloud-based computation, the Pixel 11 series may process ultra-low-light video footage directly on the device, reducing latency and improving privacy.
The Pixel 11 series may also introduce a refreshed design language. The device is said to be testing the new Pixel Glow notification system integrated into the camera bar.
Even after the rising component costs and increasing RAM requirements, both the companies are reportedly trying to avoid dramatic price hikes. Coming to the prices, the Pixel 11 Pro is expected to be priced between Rs 1,03,999 and Rs 1,19,999, while the Pixel 11 Pro XL could start around $1,199 globally.
The iPhone 18 Pro is also rumoured to launch at around $1,099, translating to approximately Rs 1,34,900 in India. The larger iPhone 18 Pro Max could be priced between Rs 1,49,900 and Rs 1,54,900.