Google has just shown off six new products for its Made by Google event: the Pixel Watch 5, the Pixel Tag, and the Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Ahead of the event, I got the opportunity to go hands-on with each of these devices (except the Pixel Tag), but definitely focused a lot more on the company’s latest smartphone offerings — despite the lack of evolution from last year to this.
The Mountain View, California-based tech giant’s Pixel 11 series is another small iterative step, with the devices showing minimal updates versus the previous iterations. In fact, in some cases there were downgrades between the Pixel 10 series and the Pixel 11, and now the handsets unfortunately come with a higher price tag. Of course, with RAM shortages, most devices are more expensive this year, but it’s not a great time for it considering the lack of upgrades.
Don’t get me wrong, the Pixel 11 series isn’t an exact replica of its predecessor, as the Pro series comes with new hardware, called HiLight, replacing the old LED flash.
HiLight, available only on the Pro models, is the company’s replacement for the LED flash with some cool tricks up its sleeve. HiLight is an array of ambient LED lights built around the camera’s flash and offers a visual cue when you need to pick up your phone.
You can get a customized colour glow for incoming calls from your favourite contacts. Google has integrated this functionality with the Phone app and WhatsApp.
HiLight also works with Gemini, offering a visual cue whenever Gemini is listening, thinking and responding. I watched this feature in action, and it works fine, with Gemini changing colours as you speak to the phone.
HiLight is a nice touch. I always thought that it was weird that companies got rid of notification LEDs, and this is a fun, gimmicky way of bringing them back.
However, I think it’ll take me a while to get used to the big white circular LED that’s now featured on the camera bar. I was talking with my partner about it, showing him the leaks, and he thought this LED light is far better than the standard, so it’s probably just my own bias.
It’s also weird that the base Pixel 11 also has the HiLight-like LED without the actual feature. I guess there’s a case for uniformity and keeping the same look between all the Pixel 11s, but it could also mislead people into thinking the base Pixel 11 sports HiLight.
HiLight seems like a feature that some people will love, but unfortunately I’m not one of them. I’ll appreciate it for sure, especially when my phone is lying on its front and I want to speak with Gemini, but otherwise it’s definitely something I can see myself eventually forgetting about.
The Pixel 11 series all include the Tensor G6, which offers an upgraded CPU that delivers up to 20 per cent more battery power efficiency, 25 per cent faster browsing and 15 per cent faster app loading.
I’d love to see the Tensor G6 outperform other devices, but Tensor has been lagging behind. I’m hoping this year things change, but only by going through the paces will I be able to see how Tensor is doing compared to the competition.
Google says that Tensor G6 should improve on-device Gemini experiences, as well as improve the Imaging Signal Processor (ISP) for better photography.
Speaking of the ISP, I haven’t played with the cameras yet, but Google didn’t really do anything here in terms of specs. The 11 Pro now offers 120x Pro Zoom, which is interesting because the camera specs haven’t changed from last year, and you’re still getting 5x optical zoom. But the company is using its software to get up to this magnification.
There’s also a new feature called Magic Capture, which takes little videos with one tap. Then Magic Capture pulls out high-quality photos that have been automatically cropped and unblurred. As of right now, Magic Capture only takes pictures from the captured content, but this might change in the future.
