I've been a Google phone diehard for 10 years - here's my 5-part wishlist for Pixel 11
A loyal Google phone user shares their 5-part wishlist for the upcoming Pixel 11 event, including the preservation of the thermometer feature, maximum functionality for the Pixel Glow feature, more Pixelsnap accessories, an AI kill switch, and the adoption of silicon carb…
Intelligence analysis by Llama
A long-time Google phone user shares their wishlist for the Pixel 11 event, including the preservation of the thermometer feature and the adoption of silicon carbon batteries.
Imagine you have a special phone that can check if you have a fever without needing a thermometer. It's like having a magic tool that helps you take care of your family and friends. But, the company that makes this phone, Google, is thinking about changing it so that it only shows you fun lights when you get a message. Some people might like this, but others might want to keep the thermometer feature so that they can still use it to help their loved ones.
Analysis
A $60B Vote of Confidence
Google's Pixel 11 event is just around the corner, and with it comes a lot of excitement and anticipation. As a loyal Google phone user, I've been following the development of the Pixel series for years, and I've got a few wishes for what I'd like to see in the upcoming lineup. First and foremost, I'd love to see the thermometer feature preserved. Introduced with the Pixel 8 Pro in 2023, this feature has become one of my favorite Pixel features. I use it often to check if my kids aren't feeling well, and it's come in handy quite a few times if I'm out with family or friends and someone wonders if they might have a fever. It's a fantastic 'check out what my phone can do' trick, and I can't count how many times someone asked how I did it.
Maximum Functionality for the Glow Feature
If Google is going to kill my favorite feature for Pixel Glow, I hope it's not just a light show for notifications. The new lights do look cool, and it seems like this could be a nice way to keep your phone out of your hands (by deciding if the color-coded notification is worth your attention), but I'd like to see Google get the most use possible out of Glow -- functions like a camera timer, charging status indicator, connection to Android's 'At a glance' notifications to see how close your rideshare or delivery is, or a soft fill light for photos.
More Pixelsnap Accessories
There's one area I am jealous of Apple, it's MagSafe accessories. I've added a generic metal ring to my phone case and a magnetic holder to my car, and I love snapping my phone in sight when I need it. Google introduced this to the Pixel 10 lineup with Pixelsnap, but I want to see more than just a charger and stand.
Add an AI Kill Switch
While I'm not all-in on AI on my phone, I do use some of my Pixel 9 Pro's AI features (namely the photo editing, video boost, and Gemini). As companies keep injecting AI into every conceivable corner of our tech, some consumers are starting to push back. If Google could include an AI kill switch -- something like 'Local processing only' or 'Classic mode,' it would win some of those fans. Frame it as a privacy measure, or as a way to save battery life -- users should have a way to turn AI totally off.
Ditch Lithium-ion Batteries
Several phone manufacturers, notably Motorola and OnePlus, have ditched traditional lithium-ion batteries for silicon carbon. The biggest names, though, like Apple, Samsung, and Google, have yet to follow suit. A switch to silicon carbon could not only fix battery problems that have plagued Google phones for years now, but it would also allow for a larger battery capacity without making the device bulky (for comparison, these manufacturers can fit 6,000mAh to 7,300mAh batteries while Google caps out at 5,100mAh). This would result in more expensive manufacturing costs and a new supply chain, but it would position Google at the front of the pack.
Key points
- Preserve the thermometer feature
- Maximize functionality for the Pixel Glow feature
- Introduce more Pixelsnap accessories
- Include an AI kill switch
- Adopt silicon carbon batteries
If Google can deliver on the features and improvements that I've listed, it could be a game-changer for the Pixel series. The adoption of silicon carbon batteries, for example, could fix battery problems that have plagued Google phones for years and allow for a larger battery capacity without making the device bulky. Additionally, the inclusion of an AI kill switch could win over some consumers who are starting to push back against the increasing use of AI in tech.
If Google fails to deliver on the features and improvements that I've listed, it could be a disappointment for loyal users like myself. The loss of the thermometer feature, for example, could be a significant blow to the Pixel series' reputation for innovation and user-friendliness. Additionally, the failure to adopt silicon carbon batteries could mean that Google phones continue to struggle with battery life and capacity.
