The Pixel 11 just got even more boring as Pixel Glow will reportedly do only two basic things

While we are still more than a week away from the official release of the Pixel 11 lineup, we already know almost everything about each device. The leaked specifications suggest that this year Google has given more priority to software changes rather than hardware upgrades. One of the few hardware changes the Big G is expected to offer in the upcoming devices is the addition of the new Pixel Glow.

That's the name everyone has been using since the feature first surfaced online. However, according to a recent report, it has a completely different name and will only perform two functions.

Google might launch the feature with an entirely different name

The Pixel Glow name appeared for the first time in Android 17 Beta 4 that was released in April. The feature essentially had a description that said it, "uses subtle light and color on the back of your device to inform you of important activity when it's face down". Google also officially showcased this capability in a couple of its teasers; however, its name wasn't mentioned in either of them.

A couple of days ago, an X user named Dylan Roussel posted that the feature would actually be called HiLight instead of Pixel Glow. My colleague Ilia reported this, and along with him, I was also hoping that this report turned out to be incorrect, as Pixel Glow sounds more appealing.

Do you think HiLight will help boost Pixel 11 sales?

However, another tipster, Roland Quandt, who has a history of sharing accurate information, has shared an official-looking marketing image of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold on Bluesky. The description in the image basically suggests that the capability is indeed going to be called HiLight.

HiLight will apparently perform only two functions

In addition to almost confirming that the star feature of the Pixel 11 Pro would be called HiLight, the shared image also describes its functions. The description says, "Stay informed without looking at your screen. When your smartphone is turned upside down, HiLight discreetly illuminates when your favorite contacts call you or when you chat with Gemini."

Pixel 11 Pro Fold official looking render. | Image by Roland Quandt

That essentially means it'll perform two basic functions: it illuminates when you receive a call from your favorite contacts or when you are communicating with Gemini. It's the same functionality that the feature was earlier reported to offer when it was first spotted in April.

Pixel fans definitely want more

At the moment, it appears that Google is giving only two functions to its all-new HiLight feature. But I really want this to turn out to be false and for it to offer many more use cases so that it gives competition to the Nothing Glyph lighting, which apparently delivers similar functionality. Pixel fans on online forums like Reddit also believe the same.

Reddit user requesting Google to offer flagship SoC. | Image by Reddit

A user commented under a related Reddit post that, "If that's all it is, that's lame as hell." A comment from another Redditor essentially says that the tech giant should stop using gimmicky capabilities like this to entice customers to buy the latest Pixel phones; instead, it should focus on other important aspects like offering flagship hardware to its devices.

Is this the return of the notification LED?

Years ago, many Android phones used to have a tiny LED notification light on the front, which used to light up in different scenarios, such as when you received a new notification. The new Pixel Glow, sorry, the HiLight feature, appears to offer similar functionality with some modern touches and is integrated into the camera flash instead of a dedicated indicator LED light.

I, personally, would want the capability to extend to other services as well, such as messages and app notifications, instead of being limited to calls and Gemini. Well, the good news is that we won't have to wait much longer to find out exactly how the HiLight feature actually functions, as the Made by Google event is happening on 12th August.

Check out the following stories to keep yourself excited about the Pixel 11 lineup:

Finally, some good Pixel 11 news after weeks of disappointing leaks
Every Pixel 11 model just leaked in stunning new colors and from every angle
Follow me on X and Threads for timely updates on the upcoming Pixel 11 series.

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