Google’s upcoming Pixel 11 smartphone range could gain a competitive edge in the premium market, with reports suggesting it will debut Samsung’s latest OLED display technology ahead of rivals.

According to supply chain reporting from South Korean outlet ETNews, the Pixel 11 series is expected to adopt Samsung’s new M16 OLED panels – an upgrade over the current M14 displays used in devices such as the Pixel 10 (pictured) and recent iPhone models.

The M16 panels are tipped to deliver improvements in peak brightness, colour accuracy, durability and power efficiency. While these gains are likely to be incremental rather than transformative for end users, efficiency improvements could translate into better battery life.

If Google sticks to its now-established August launch window, the Pixel 11 could be the first device to market with the new display tech. That would potentially put it ahead of Apple’s expected September launch for the iPhone 18 Pro range, which is also rumoured to adopt the same Samsung panels.

Samsung itself may not introduce M16 displays in its own Galaxy S-series until 2027, meaning competitors could showcase the company’s latest screen innovations before its in-house devices.

The move further cements Samsung Display’s central role in the global smartphone supply chain, with both Google and Apple continuing to rely on the manufacturer for high-end panels.

Beyond display upgrades, the Pixel 11 is expected to feature Google’s next-generation Tensor chipset and modest design refinements, pointing to an iterative update rather than a major redesign.

Securing early access to next-gen display technology could help Google strengthen the Pixel’s position in the premium Android segment, where hardware parity with rivals has historically been a challenge.