Google Revives Notification LED with Pixel 11 Pro's HiLight Feature

Google's Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro Fold bring back a feature many Android users remember fondly from the early 2010s - a pulsing notification light. Dubbed 'HiLight', it's an LED indicator embedded in the rear camera bar that glows in different colors to signal incoming calls and Gemini AI assistant activity.

The feature replaces the temperature sensor found on previous Pixel Pro models, marking a philosophical shift in how Google approaches smartphone design. Instead of adding more reasons to pick up the device, the company is positioning HiLight as a tool for digital well-being, letting users gauge whether an alert deserves their attention without unlocking the screen.

Peter Prunuske, Google's senior director of product management for Pixel, explained the thinking behind the feature. 'When you get a notification, you pick up your phone, look at the screen, and get distracted,' he said. 'HiLight allowed me to completely focus on preparing for a presentation without worrying about the phone screen,' including whether his wife had called.