Google's Pixel 11 Pro Notification Light Falls Short

Google's Pixel 11 Pro features a new notification light called HiLight. This light is embedded in the camera bar and glows to indicate that something is happening on the phone, such as an incoming call or message.

The idea behind HiLight sounds great, but it has one major flaw: users are expected to change how they use their phones. The Pixel 11 Pro's HiLight only works when the phone is face down, which is not a common practice for most users.

HiLight can be useful in certain situations, such as when the user wants to keep the screen out of sight while working or engaging in another activity. However, it requires an extra step to check notifications, which defeats its purpose.

The Pixel 11 Pro's HiLight is also less flexible compared to traditional notification LEDs. It only works with specific interactions, such as incoming calls and messages, and does not offer a universal notification panel like some other Android phones.