Here's the Pixel 11's new notification "HiLight"—it might only do two things

Credit: Patrick Campanale / How-To Geek Published Aug 4, 2026, 3:21 PM EDT Jon is a seasoned journalist who has written definitive coverage of consumer tech at publications like Engadget, Android Authority, and BetaKit. He's an expert on making tech accessible ranging from mobile and PCs to emerging platforms like wearables. When he's not writing, he's going on adventures with ihis family and is an avid photographer. Sign in to your How-To Geek account Google's teased notification LED for Pixel 11 phones might not be as transformative as you think. A leaked product image of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold indicates that the new feature, HiLight, will only have two functions. A picture shared by WinFuture's Roland Quandt shows that the LED will light up either for calls from favorite contacts or when you're speaking to Gemini. It's not clear which apps will support HiLight or whether there will be any special tricks, although the rainbow lighting suggests it will change color. You might know it's your partner on the phone, for instance. Google Pixel 10 Pro $749 $999 Save $250 The reasoning is clear: you can "stay informed without looking at your screen," according to the graphic. Google is effectively responding to the digital detox movement by encouraging you to keep your Pixel 11 face-down, even when you're having an involved conversation with Gemini Intelligence to perform tasks. Google will reveal the Pixel 11 and likely other products at its Made by Google event on August 12. Apart from HiLight, it's unofficially expected to introduce a faster and more efficient Tensor G6 chip as well as upgraded main and telephoto cameras. Google routinely launches Pixel-exclusive AI features, so we'd anticipate more than just a Gemini Intelligence recap. Pixel 11 notification LED: Is it better than the competition? We've seen more advanced lights before Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold with leaked HiLight feature.Credit: Roland Quandt / BlueSky HiLight on the Pixel 11 series could be appealing if you miss the glory days of notification LEDs, such as those in the Galaxy S III, Nexus 4, or classic BlackBerry devices. While always-on displays reduced the need for them, they still require looking at a screen. With that in mind, we've seen more sophisticated approaches to this before. Nothing phones are defined by their Glyph lights (and on some models, displays) that not only tell you who's reaching out, but provide at-a-glance information like battery life and framing for rear camera selfies. These also tend to be customizable. The upcoming Clicks Communicator will have a customizable LED that can change colors depending on the app, contact, and priority. The appeal of HiLight will depend on ease of use and flexibility. If the feature is limited to what Google describes, it might not be appealing if you want personalized app alerts. It could be more useful for some people than the existing temperature sensor, however, and might be enough if you want to know when a loved one is checking in.