Google Pixel 11 Pro Review
Introduction
The Google Pixel 11 series has been officially announced, featuring a new HiLight feature that has left many fans underwhelmed. Despite initial rumors and teasers suggesting a more advanced implementation, the final product has limited functionality, especially when compared to similar features on other devices like the Samsung Galaxy S25 or the Apple iPhone 17.
HiLight Feature
When HiLight was first spotted, it was known as Pixel Glow, and many tech sites, including ours, imagined it would be a light-up ‘G’ logo on the back or a ring light around the camera bar, similar to the notification lights found on devices like the OnePlus 12 or the Oppo Find X6. Unfortunately, it’s now hidden within the camera flash and has replaced the temperature sensor, a genuinely useful feature that is now gone for good.
Functionality and Limitations
HiLight is currently limited to the Pro models and can barely do anything at launch. It simply glows blue when interacting with Gemini and can light up different colors when favorite contacts call, a feature that is also available on devices like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 or the Apple Watch Series 10. Google has mentioned that contact notifications are coming later in the year, but anything more, including third-party access, is uncertain.
Comparison to Other Devices
It’s a shame, especially considering what other brands like Nothing and Xiaomi have done with screens and lights on the back of phones, such as the Nothing Phone 2 or the Xiaomi Mi 12. The high-contrast lighting effect and reflections in Google’s teasers for the Pixel 11 phones showed how cool HiLight could have been if it was a ring light around the edge of the camera module.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Google Pixel 11 Pro’s HiLight feature is a missed opportunity for Google. With a more advanced implementation, it could have opened up more dynamic possibilities for its functionality, such as circling in different directions, speeds, and combinations of sections and pulses for different alerts and functions, similar to the notification features found on devices like the iPad Air M2 or the Amazon Echo Show 15.
