GoKawiilGoogle will reveal the Pixel 11 series later this month, but leaks and teasers so far have painted a picture of phones that have barely changed since last year. One notable exception seems to be the illuminated dot from some of the teasers. This has been rumored as “Pixel Glow,” but a new leak all but confirms a different (and less interesting) name. Say hello to HiLight.
A post on Bluesky by WinFuture’s Roland Quandt shows the new LED inside the camera module of the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. We can see the actual body of the device rather than a shadowy outline as in Google’s teasers, and it does look a bit different than the previous Pixel Fold.
The camera bump on the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is smaller, with no separate section for the flash off to the right. It appears that HiLight is the flash. Presumably, it still works as a flashlight and camera flash, but it can also produce a range of colors.
Credit: Google A leaked press graphic detailing Google’s new rear LED. A leaked press graphic detailing Google’s new rear LED. Credit: Google
What does this thing do, anyway? The graphic includes text in French, which translates to:
Stay informed without looking at your screen When your smartphone is turned upside down, HiLight discreetly illuminates when your favorite contacts call you or when you chat with Gemini.
So this is, in part, a return to the days of the notification LED. You’ll be able to set HiLight to alert you when you get a call from certain contacts. It’s unclear if that will also extend to messages and other app-based notifications. That was all possible with classic notification LEDs, but all bets are off with HiLight.