If you were looking for a list of what’s new in the Pixel 11 series, that list won’t be extensive by any means. Google is bringing a handful of meaningful upgrades this year, but this is a familiar design without any major changes. If there is one big change, it’s the introduction of HiLight, the new lighting system that is included within the camera bar.

Google has been teasing HiLight for some time now and it was at one point referred to internally as Pixel Glow. HiLight is the official name, though, and we know how it works now that the phones are official.

For those still not familiar with what I’m talking about, just take a look at the image up top. You see that colorful light within the camera bar? That’s HiLight. This is Google’s new lighting system that can show colors from specific actions, but it’ll also (obviously) work as the camera flash too.

This new HiLight feature is a Pixel 11 Pro line exclusive feature, so we are clear. It is not on the regular Pixel 11, even if you hear others suggest that it is. Google’s own store says specifically that HiLight is “Exclusive to Google Pixel 11 Pro phones,” like the 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold.

OK, so what exactly does HiLight do? Not much for now. In fact, there are two settings for this feature to start, but Google is promising at least one more in the near future. The two current HiLight features are as follows:

1. Speaking with Gemini: You can see the HiLight glow while having hands-free interactions with Gemini – the light gives you visual feedback.
2. Calls from favorites: The HiLight will also provide subtle lights when your favorite contacts call you.

Yeah, that really is it for now. You cannot customize the light to show different colors for specific app notifications or from text messages or from anything else.

Google did at least promise that “you can expect to see more capabilities aded to HiLight over time,” one of which will be “message notifications from your favorite contacts.”

So while HiLight was supposed to be a big hardware differentiator for the Pixel 11 Pro line, it currently doesn’t do much other than act as a companion for all of your Gemini activity and when someone calls you. Do people call each other in 2026?