The Best Google Pixel Phones of 2026: Comparison, Features, and Accessories

Google Pixel phones are our favorite Android phones here at WIRED and have been for a few years. They have industry-leading cameras, get speedy software and security updates directly from Google (like iPhones do from Apple), and are priced competitively. But now with so many models in the lineup, which Google Pixel phone should you buy? The new Pixel 11? The affordable Pixel 10a? What about the crazy-expensive Pixel 11 Pro Fold? Don’t fret—we break down the differences between the best Pixel phones and sort out the right one for you.

You’ll also find Pixel-exclusive tips to help you get the most out of your new phone, along with some accessory and case recommendations for added protection. For more, read our other guides, including the Best Pixel Phone Settings to Change, Best Pixel 10 Cases, Best Pixel 9 Cases, Best Samsung Phones, and Best Android Phones.

Updated August 2026: We’ve added the new Google Pixel 11 Series, Pixel Watch 5, and a few new Pixel software features.

The Best Pixel for Most People

Google’s Pixel 10a is all the phone most people need. It remains the best smartphone for the money, even if it isn’t drastically different from the Pixel 9a (although Google just released the new Pixel 11 series, don’t expect a Pixel 11a until 2027). The 6.3-inch display is brighter, and it’s sharp, colorful, and smooth with a 120-Hz refresh rate. Google also got rid of the plastic ring around the camera module, so now the back is flatter than ever, a true boon for anyone who hates camera bumps.

Google’s Tensor G4 chipset powers this phone, the same as in 2024’s flagship Pixel 9 series and Pixel 9a, rather than the Tensor G5 inside the Pixel 10 series. Comparing the Tensor G4 and G5 chips, performance is pretty much identical—smooth and fast, whether gaming or multitasking. (That also means you should consider the Pixel 9a if you can find it on sale.) Keep in mind the Pixel 11 series introduced Google’s new Tensor G6 processor, so the G4 is two generations behind.

The Pixel 10a has only 8 gigabytes of RAM, and it won’t support some of the exclusive smart software features of the flagship Pixel devices. But the important ones are here, notably the feature that lets you send files and photos to iPhone owners using Google’s Quick Share to AirDrop.

The 48-megapixel main camera is joined by a 13-MP ultrawide and a 13-MP selfie cam on the front, and they’re all reliable. The camera system is mostly identical to the Pixel 10, except the 10a lacks the 5X optical zoom that makes close-ups look much better, and the selfie camera isn’t as sharp because it doesn’t autofocus. However, like most Pixel phones, the camera is terrific, and most of the pictures you snap with the Pixel 10a will look great.

The 5,100-mAh battery ably lasts a full day, but heavy users may still need to tote a power bank to top up in the evenings. There’s faster Qi wireless charging in this model, but it’s the only Pixel in the lineup without Qi2 Pixelsnap magnets. An IP68 water-resistance rating rounds things out, not to mention secure face unlock in addition to fingerprint unlock, giving you two biometric authentication methods to unlock your phone and quickly access sensitive apps.

The Pixel 10a also gets seven years of software support—the longest you’ll find on an Android phone under $500. It’s one of the best smartphone bargains around.

A Step Up

The Pixel 11 isn’t as big a step up from the Pixel 10 as it was from the Pixel 9. It brings iterative improvements, including a slightly better camera, a more efficient chipset, and slightly faster Qi2 25W wireless charging, alongside fresh, AI-infused software. This is the Pixel for anyone who wants to enjoy Google’s unique features but doesn’t want to spend $1,099 on the Pixel 11 Pro.

It has the same screen size as the Pixel 10 and 10a and 3,000 nits of peak brightness, making it easy to read the display in broad daylight. The Tensor G6 chipset offers a tasty mix of upgrades, promising 20 percent gains in power efficiency, 25 percent faster browsing, and 15 percent faster app loading. It broadly matches the Pixel 11 Pro models on performance, and you’ll find it silky smooth for everything but the most demanding games (hardcore gamers might prefer something else).

Google has finally upgraded the base model to 256 GB of storage, though that means the starting price is $100 higher than last year’s Pixel 10. You can also snag it with 512 GB for an extra $120, and both use speedy UFS 4, enabling faster app load times, quicker file saves, better gaming performance, and even better battery life.

The Pixel 11’s battery will easily last you a full day, but much depends on what you’re doing; if you’re playing Wuthering Waves for more than an hour, that’ll sap juice fast. That’s why the Qi2 charging system is so great. You can easily attach a magnetic battery pack to the back of the phone and wirelessly charge it—faster and more efficiently than traditional Qi chargers. Just make sure the power bank is Qi2.

Like the Pixel 10, the Pixel 11 has a triple-camera system, but Google upgraded the main camera’s image sensor. You can expect detailed shots with rich colors, and the new Camera Looks feature lets you tune the aesthetic you prefer. The telephoto camera offers the same 5X zoom as the Pixel 10, which is great for capturing distant subjects. You can even get decent results at 10X zoom, and it now goes all the way up to 30X (versus 20X in the Pixel 10), though things get fuzzy. The selfie camera has autofocus, ensuring sharper selfies than the Pixel 10a can muster, especially at night.

The Pixel 11 doesn’t just have camera tricks. You also get Rambler to improve the Pixel’s voice-to-text, cutting ums and ahs and letting you draft messages conversationally. AI overviews pop up in the Messages app when someone texts with a meet-up request, and you can add it to your calendar. (You’ll find more of Google’s special Pixel features listed below.)

The US models of the Pixel 11 are eSIM-only, so you can no longer use a physical SIM card. This change brings security benefits, and US carriers have made it easier to switch eSIMs than it used to be.

The Pixel 11 is the way to go if you can spend a little more. To me, the convenience of Qi2 and the 5X zoom camera are worth the price bump alone, but you’ll also enjoy better performance, a brighter screen, louder speakers, and sharper selfies. That said, it’s not a huge leap over the Pixel 10, so the older model may still be worth considering if you want to save some money (it’s still part of Google’s lineup).

Best Pixel Upgrade

If you want the best Google has to offer, go for the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL. The Pixel 11 Pro XL has a few minor differences that put it a step ahead of the Pixel 11 Pro, but these devices are largely the same and have a few hardware and software improvements over the Pixel 11.

New is the HiLight feature, a cluster of LEDs in the flash module on the camera bar. It swirls through a rainbow of colors when you are engaging with Gemini or lights up in specific colors when your favorite contacts call. The OLED displays can adjust the refresh rate from 1 to 120 Hz, which makes them more efficient and helps conserve battery life, and they offer a peak brightness of up to 3,600 nits for HDR highlights.

The higher storage options (512 GB and 1 TB) come with more RAM (16 GB), so you can expect better performance, especially if you’re juggling multiple tasks, though the entry-level 256-GB models have the same 12 GB of RAM as the regular Pixel 11. The Pro models also boast Wi-Fi 7 and ultra-wideband (UWB) connectivity.

The cameras are a big step up from the Pixel 11, even though they have a similar triple-camera system. All the sensors across the board are different; specifically, they’re larger. Larger sensors can capture more data, and the end result is a brighter, sharper image. That rings true in my testing. Compared to last year’s Pro models, there’s a new 50-megapixel main sensor and a new 48-MP telephoto zoom with 30-percent better light sensitivity.

The Pixel 11 Pro models are the only ones to support Google’s new, frankly ridiculous, 120X zoom. But you should be aware that Google’s AI will add what it thinks should be in the image to fill in some of the gaps. Regardless of how you feel about that, the result is spectacular and shockingly sharp, but it’s downright tricky to keep your subject in view when you zoom in this far because the slightest movement will drop it out of the viewfinder. Most folks will be content with the results at 50X zoom.

Another exclusive camera feature is Instant Night Sight. It’s not quite instant, but it lets you snap impressively bright photos in low-light environments, and you’re less likely to end up with a blurry snap if your subject moves. Google has also added Camera Looks to let you choose the level of contrast and color temperature you prefer, Magic Capture to automatically snap shots and record video at events, and Creator Suite to provide tools like a teleprompter for content creators.

Both models have Qi2 25W support, meaning they can charge wirelessly up to 25 watts instead of 15 watts, provided you use a Qi2 25W wireless charger. The Pro XL has the fastest wired charging speeds, supporting 45 watts (as opposed to 30 watts on the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro). Battery runtime averages a full day, and both Pro models have similar stamina, but power users will want a Qi2 power bank.

The best of Google is the Pixel 11 Pro XL, but if you prefer a smaller phone, the Pixel 11 Pro will satisfy. You’ll save some cash, too.

A Folding Pixel

The Pixel 11 Pro Fold has a couple of folding phone standouts: an IP68 dust- and water-resistance rating and Qi2 25W wireless charging for easy magnetic mounting. Google also claims it can withstand 10-plus years of folding due to the gearless hinge. It may well be the most durable foldable you can currently buy, and that’s important when you’re looking at dropping $1,900 on one.

Sadly, unlike folding phones from Samsung and Honor, this book-like device is hefty. Despite a slight shave and weight loss compared to last year’s 10 Pro Fold, it is still quite heavy and a little cumbersome to use. Google also calls it a “Pro” phone, but it doesn’t actually have many of the advanced features of the Pixel 11 Pro. For example, the triple-camera sensors aren’t as good, and you don’t get access to 120X Pro Res Zoom or Instant Night Sight. It can still capture excellent photos, but at this price, I expect parity with the Pro phones.

There are some handy new software features. Bubbles gives you a floating circular profile picture from an open chat that you can open or minimize with a tap, enabling even more multitasking, since it can sit on top of two split-screen apps. There are also more contextual AI pop-ups, such as links to suggested restaurants from chats, which you can easily open in Maps.

If you want a folding phone, the new passport-sized Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is thinner, lighter, and easier to use, and its sibling, the Z Fold8 Ultra, boasts a more impressive spec sheet. However, if you prefer Google’s software experience and camera quality, you’ll likely enjoy the Pixel 11 Pro Fold—if you can stomach the price.

The 2025 Pixels

You don’t need to buy the latest and greatest! Purchasing a previous flagship phone is a great way to save some cash while still enjoying newish tech. Just make sure you’re spending a good bit less than the MSRP—otherwise, you may as well buy one of the latest Pixel 11 phones. The previous Pixel generation from 2025 includes the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pro XL, as well as the Pixel 10 Pro Fold (the Pixel 10a is still current).

The Tensor G5 chipset in these phones is perfectly capable. The displays still get very bright, and the cameras are very similar to their respective successors. While the new chipset and modem in the Pixel 11 are slightly better—most notably at improving battery life—there aren’t any truly compelling hardware reasons to upgrade. Google will also likely roll out some of the new software features from the Pixel 11 series to the Pixel 10 phones in due time.

The Pixel 10 regularly dips to $550, the Pixel 10 Pro to $699, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL to $899, while the Pixel 10 Pro Fold has been on sale for $1,499. I wouldn’t buy these devices unless they were at those prices again or lower.

We’ll have a Pixel 11 case guide for you soon. In the meantime, there are guides on the Best Pixel 10 Cases and Best Pixel 9 (and 9a) Cases, but here are a few selections for your perusal. We’ve highlighted cases for the current Pixel lineup, but you can easily find the same versions for prior models by browsing the case maker’s catalog. There will likely be versions for the Pixel 11 series, but note that cases are usually not interchangeable.

These official Google cases for the Pixel 10 series are Qi2-certified with Pixelsnap magnets built in, so you can attach the phone to compatible magnetic accessories without losing strength or wireless charging capabilities (without magnets, the strength is reduced and the feature won’t work). The soft silicone feels pleasant to the touch, and you can color-match it to your Pixel 10 to highlight the phone’s color. We also like Google’s official Pixel 10a case ($30), which is similar, but it doesn’t have the magnets inside, as it’s not a Qi2 phone.

Mous cases are Made for Google certified, and that’s especially important with the Pixel 10 series, as it ensures the best compatibility with Pixelsnap. The Limitless is a great all-rounder, with raised edges over the display, clicky buttons, reliable magnets for Qi2, and several design aesthetics you can choose from, including a walnut back or speckled fabric (pictured).

Dbrand’s Grip case lives up to its name. It has clicky buttons and incredibly grippy edges. It feels robust yet fairly slim, and you can choose a snazzy design. Just know that you have to apply this “skin” to the back of the case. There’s a lot of room for error, so be careful and watch Dbrand’s installation video for tips. There’s Pixelsnap support, so you can use your Pixel with Qi2 and even MagSafe accessories, and it worked exceptionally well in our testing.

This is hands-down the best case if you frequently attach your Pixel to the handlebars of a bike or an electric scooter. Peak Design’s mounting system lets you magnetically affix the phone to its Universal Bike Mount ($50), and it stays put. After more than a year of testing, we’ve never had a phone fall off a ride using this mounting system. The company also has several other magnetic accessories, like a car vent mount. The case itself is nice; I just wish the edges were raised more for better screen protection. You can choose to have it with the loop, which acts as a grip, or without it.

This is the best clear case for the Pixel 10 series. Dbrand promises that the Ghost 2.0 won’t yellow over time, so much so that if it actually does, the company will replace it for free. It’s thin, has stronger magnets than most other Pixelsnap cases, and has grippy edges. And you get to see your Pixel’s color shine through. The company technically doesn’t make it for the Pixel 10, just the Pro models, but because the dimensions are the same, the 10 Pro case fits perfectly on the Pixel 10.

Google’s Ring Stand is a surprisingly sturdy and great kickstand. The metal ring has good tension, and you can adjust your phone at varying heights. You can also twist it to put the phone in landscape or portrait orientation. Make sure you take it off before placing the phone on a wireless charger; you’re not supposed to attach magnetic accessories or chargers to the Ring Stand itself.

You don’t need to spend this much for a decent Qi2 charger, but these are what Google is officially selling, and they’re great (if overpriced). The stand version is actually the same Pixelsnap charger, just with a robust stand to keep it propped up. The stand is stable, doesn’t shift around, and you can charge the phone in landscape or portrait orientation.

Dbrand gives you two screen protectors in this package, and it comes with a super-easy application tool. Wipe down your phone with the included alcohol wipe, dry it with the microfiber, and then place the tool over your phone and pull the pull tab. Press down on the line, wait 30 seconds, and then take the tool off. There’s a squeegee to push out air bubbles. If you don’t want to spend this much, Spigen’s GlasTR tempered glass protectors are also easy to apply and cost $20 for a two-pack.

Google’s Pixel 11 series supports 30- and 45-watt charging speeds, depending on the model. That makes this 65W a little overkill, but we still think it’s a great all-around charging adapter to carry with you. It’s incredibly slim and lightweight, has folding prongs, and includes two USB-C ports. When you have two devices plugged in, one port will dish out 45W and the other will deliver 20W. The former will let you hit the fastest charging speeds possible on any of your Pixel devices.

More Pixel Devices

If you buy a Pixel phone, there’s a good chance you’re interested in Google’s other Pixel hardware. Good news: They’re pretty great. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 are excellent earbuds, and the Pixel Watch 5 is the Android smartwatch to beat.

Described as the “Best Earbuds for Android” in our Best Wireless Earbuds guide, the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are wonderfully small and compact, with a fun, egg-shaped case that has a lovely matte texture. They pair well with Android devices, have wireless charging, and include excellent noise-canceling. You can also tap and hold the buds to talk to the Gemini voice assistant, and a recent software update added Loud Noise Protection and Adaptive Audio, the latter of which dynamically reduces the volume of unwanted sounds like sirens. You can even nod to answer a call or shake to decline!

If you don’t want to spend as much, the Pixel Buds 2a ($129) are even smaller and offer many of the same features, though the case doesn’t support wireless charging.

The Pixel Watch 5 works with all Android phones, but it’s a natural fit with a Pixel phone. This smartwatch will relay any app notifications you want to see on your wrist, and you can even check your Nest security cameras via the Google Home app. You can raise your wrist to talk to the Gemini assistant, and there’s a robust suite of health and fitness tracking capabilities that go toe-to-toe with the Apple Watch. Battery life is solid too, lasting about a day and a half with the 45-mm model, and it recharges incredibly fast.

You can opt for the cellular version if you want always-on connectivity even away from your phone, though you’ll need to pay up for a separate watch data plan. Read our Best Smartwatches guide for other options.

Our Favorite Pixel Software Features

Pixels have many great software features, but some need to be toggled on. It can also be hard to remember that all these features exist, so here are most of the top ones.

Some key features on Pixels aren’t available on other Android phones, and some are available only on select Pixels—the Tensor chip started with the Pixel 6, and currently, the Tensor G6 is in the Pixel 11 range. Here’s a breakdown:

Call Screen: When you get a call from an unknown number, Google Assistant will scan and flag it if it’s suspected spam or a robocall. If it’s simply a number you don’t recognize, you can have Assistant take the call. You’ll see a real-time transcription of what’s happening, so you can end the call right away if it’s a telemarketer or answer if it turns out to be a long-lost high school friend. If it’s someone important, you can give Assistant responses to recite if you’re unable to take the call—it now offers contextual replies, too. Remember to turn it on by opening up the dialer app and heading to Settings (three dots on the top right) > Spam and Call Screen.

Wait Times and Direct My Call: When you call a business in the phone app, you’ll see an estimated wait time until someone real picks up (it doesn’t work with every business). Google’s Direct My Call feature also transcribes the entire call and separates the menu options, so you can see them without having to listen intently. More recently, for some numbers, Direct My Call will cache responses so you’ll immediately see menu options without waiting for the automated response to go through every number. You can turn this on by going to the phone app’s Settings > Direct My Call.

Hold for Me: If you’ve been placed on hold with a business number, you can ask Google Assistant to take over. It will play a loud chime when the person on the other end is back. No need to listen to hold music! Toggle it on in the phone app’s Settings > Hold for Me. This feature is available on most Pixels but only works in select countries.

Clear Calling: If you have a Pixel 7 or newer, you can turn on this feature to enhance the other caller’s voice and reduce their background noise. Head to Settings > Sound & Vibration > Clear Calling to toggle it on. It also works on Google’s Pixel Buds Pro.

Call Notes (Tensor G4 and newer; with 12-plus GB RAM): Enable this in the dialer app by going to Settings > Call Notes and making sure the toggle is on. This doesn’t activate every time you’re on a call. Rather, you have to tap the More button when you’re on a call and tap Call Notes to start it. It more or less records the conversation (it notifies the other person that the call is being recorded), and at the end, it’ll give you a summary of important points from the call in the call history log, such as price quotes, phone numbers, or addresses. Sometimes it gets information wrong, since transcription accuracy depends on call quality, but you can play back the entire recording to double-check.

Scam Detection: This feature detects conversation patterns while you are on the phone with a suspicious number and warns you when someone is using a classic scam tactic. It also works in Google’s Messages app, where it vets chat notifications from “popular” apps and shows a “Likely scam” alert if it deems something suspicious. You can turn it on by going to the Phone app, tapping the three-dot menu icon at the top right, and selecting Settings > Scam Detection.

Reverse Phone Number Lookup: Don’t recognize the phone number from an incoming call? In the call app, you can now quickly look up a number without manually running a search.

Take a Message (Tensor G5): Google is revamping voicemails with Take a Message. It’s similar to transcribed voicemails, though that feature doesn’t always work and may depend on your carrier. Take a Message bypasses the standard voicemail (your normal voicemail will only kick in with missed calls when your phone is off or out of network). The caller will be told to leave a message, and this recording will be auto-transcribed and visible in the call history of the phone app. It’ll even offer actionable steps, like adding a reminder or an event to your calendar.

Pixel VIPs: This new widget gives you one-tap access to your favorite contacts. But it’s more than that. Tap on one of your contacts, and you’ll see a beautifully designed page that offers quick access to call or message the contact on various platforms. It’ll show the last messages between you two, share location, weather updates, and the time for their area, and you can add notes if you want to remember specific things. You can access this the same way you add a widget; it sits under the Contacts app. Notifications from these contacts are prioritized.

Translated Phone Calls in Your Voice (Tensor G5 and newer): You can translate a phone call in real time, but what makes Google’s approach unique is that the company will make the translated voice sound like your own (or the person on the other end). That way, it still sounds like you’re talking to someone you know, rather than a robotic voice. No audio is recorded, and data isn’t stored (it works on-device). It’s only available for a few languages, like English, German, Japanese, and Spanish.

Live Translate: In select messaging apps, Pixel will automatically know when someone sends a message in a language other than your default. It’ll translate it (if you wish), and you’ll be able to respond in that same language. More than 50 languages are supported, though you’ll need to download the languages you want to see translated by heading to Settings > System > Live Translate. If you toggle on Media, it can also now translate video and audio content, like YouTube videos or podcasts.

Live Caption: Pixels can automatically transcribe any video playing on the screen. You can quickly toggle this on by tapping one of the volume buttons, then tapping the square button below the volume slider (or go to Settings > Sound and Vibration > Live Caption). If the video is in a different language, you can even see it translated (only on Tensor-powered Pixels), though you’ll need to download a supported language. It can even caption phone calls.

Assistant Voice Typing: Tap the mic button on Google’s Gboard keyboard, and you’ll be privy to the much-improved voice-typing experience enabled by the Tensor chip. It’s really fast, pretty accurate, and knows how to automatically add punctuation. It understands when to send a message if you say “Send,” and commands like “Next” will move the cursor to the next paragraph. You can make sure this is enabled by heading to Settings > System > Language & Input > On-Screen Keyboard > Gboard > Voice typing > Assistant Voice Typing. The latest Rambler voice input system in the Pixel 11 series improves this further, automatically removing uhm and ahs, and allowing you to draft messages conversationally.

Dual Screen Interpreter Mode (Pixel folding phones only): When you trigger this mode in the Google Translate app on the Pixel 10 Pro Fold (or any Pixel Fold), the person you’re speaking to can read your translated words on the exterior screen. They can also tap the screen to start speaking, and you’ll see their translated words on the inner screen.

Google Recorder: If you record interviews, meetings, calls, or anything else, you’ll love the Google Recorder app. It’s exclusive to Pixels and offers real-time transcription, so you don’t need to take notes. You can open these notes in a Google Doc to edit them later or tap on a word to jump to the point it was spoken in the recording. Google has added speaker labels, so the transcription will try to detect when different people are talking and indicate it. Recordings can be shared with anyone, even if they don’t have a Pixel. Better yet, you can automatically back these up to your Google Account to access them anywhere (or find them here). You can also summarize (and download) these transcripts with Gemini. Google recently added the ability to add music tracks, too, in case you like using the app to record singing.

Voice Message Transcription: If you frequently get audio messages in the Messages texting app, then you’ll be happy to know that these messages will automatically transcribe, so you won’t have to listen to the audio message. The transcription can be hit or miss, but it’s still handy. It only works in Google Messages and is available in select languages; it’s available on the Pixel 4A and newer. Turn it on by opening the Messages app and tapping your profile icon. Then tap Messages Settings > Voice Message Transcription, and toggle it on.

Gemini Assistant: Google’s default assistant is now Gemini instead of Google Assistant. Gemini is more powerful and can handle almost all the same tasks and more. Gemini isn’t exclusive to Pixels, but these handsets are some of the few to use Gemini Nano, Google’s on-device large language model that doesn’t need to access the cloud. Some Gemini Nano capabilities have expanded to other capable Android phones, but Pixels often have exclusive perks before the competition. One new addition is task automation, so with the Pixel 10 series, you can ask Gemini to call you an Uber or order a meal from DoorDash; no need to hop into any apps.

Multimodal capabilities in Gemini: When you open Gemini (pressing and holding the power button) while in another app, you can ask it to “Attach” whatever’s on your screen. That can include asking Gemini to summarize a YouTube video or asking questions about a PDF. You can also upload your own photos and files to Gemini to ask questions about them. Just tap the plus icon next to the Gemini search bar.

Gemini Live (Gemini Advanced): This is a way to talk to Google’s Gemini chatbot, except it’s completely in real time, like a normal human conversation. You can interrupt Gemini; it understands context, so you can keep asking new questions about the same topic, and it sounds much more natural than voice assistants that came before. You can even turn on your camera and ask Gemini Live questions about what you’re looking at in real time. Google also added visual overlays that let Gemini highlight specific items in your camera view, making it easier to identify what it’s referring to.

Magic Cue (Tensor G5 and newer): This feature works in the Messages app and in Gboard. Once you opt in, it will find relevant information from your Google apps that comes up in conversations. For example, if your mom texts you asking for your flight information, Magic Cue will have it ready as a little button above the text box, so you don’t need to look anything up yourself. It’ll even pull up relevant details, like your flight confirmation number, if you’re calling United Airlines. You can dig into the settings for it by heading to Settings > Magic Cue.

Proactive Assistance: Building on Magic Cue, Proactive Assistance will float visual cards and contextual suggestions in chats and searches. It also integrates with OpenTable and Instacart, so folks with accounts can automate restaurant bookings or generate grocery lists in Google Keep. Go to Settings > Proactive Assistance and turn Use Proactive Assistance on.

Pixel Screenshots (Tensor G4 and newer; with 12-plus GB RAM): Got tons of screenshots saved on your phone? The Pixel Screenshots app puts them all in one place, and it uses on-device machine learning (Gemini Nano) to understand the context in them, from pictures to text. That means you can then just ask Gemini for information from a screenshot without having to hunt through hundreds of pictures. You can also add screenshots of tickets or boarding passes to Google Wallet from the app.

NotebookLM: Anyone can download this app right now, but NotebookLM is preinstalled on Pixel 10 devices. It’s a note-taking app infused with Gemini, but the AI is trained only on your local documents, not the wider internet.

Magic Compose in Messages: You can get a different draft of something you’ve typed up in Gboard in case you’re unsure about your message’s tone. It only works in select apps, like Google Messages. Start typing, and you’ll see a pencil icon with a star next to it near the text box. Tap it, and you can now cycle through versions of your sentence in different tones, and you can even choose genres like Shakespeare in case you want to hark back to the past. This feature is available on Pixel 6 and newer, but on certain Pro phones, it works on-device.

Pixel Weather: Finally, there’s a dedicated weather app on Pixel phones. It’s not just a basic app, though—it uses Gemini’s large language models to summarize outdoor conditions so you don’t have to scan highs and lows. Google added a pollen tracker to see pollen index levels, handy for the spring season.

Saved info in Gemini: Gemini Advanced subscribers can ask the assistant to remember certain things. You can ask Gemini to remember that you’re a vegan, for example, and any future recipes you ask for will be vegan.

Veo 3: Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro (and Fold) users get a full year of Google’s AI Pro subscription included in their purchase, which includes Veo 3. It’s Google’s generative video platform, allowing you to type in ideas and craft short videos. You can find this by opening Gemini and choosing Video below the text box.

AI Notification Summaries (Pixel 9, Pixel 10, and Pixel 11 series): If you opt in, you can receive AI-powered notification summaries from your chats. Head to Settings > Notifications > Notification summaries to enable it. It largely works with messaging apps, which can range from Slack to Gmail to Google Messages.

Magic Capture (Pixel 11 series): This dedicated mode sits next to Photo and Video in the camera app and lets you hold the phone up to automatically capture several photos on your behalf. You even get a 1080p video clip (though you can boost it to 4K using Google’s Video Boost technology). The idea is that you can enjoy events without having your face glued to the viewfinder, but still have photos of it.

Camera Looks (Pixel 11 series): Open the camera app settings to access Looks and choose a different visual style. This enables you to tune the camera, dialing up contrast or opting for warmer colors, and there are several different Looks to choose from.

Creator Suite (Pixel 11 series): This mode in the Video tab of the camera app enables handy tools, like an audio visualizer, so you know your wireless mic is picking up your voice, and a built-in teleprompter. It also lets you keep projects in their own folder and is tailor-made for content creators.

Instant Night Sight (Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL): You can snap low-light and nighttime photos far more quickly than before with Instant Night Sight. There’s still a pause when you hit the shutter button, but Google says it is up to 4.5 times faster than regular Night Sight. This feature relies on the Tensor G6 and cameras in the Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL.

Camera Coach (Pixel 11 series, 10 series, and 10a): Tap the camera icon at the top of the camera app, and you’ll trigger Camera Coach. It’ll ask you to scan the scene and offer example photos if you’re not sure how to take a good photo. Choose one of those examples, and Camera Coach will run you through instructions on taking a similar version of that photo. This can include asking you to switch to Portrait mode, to zoom in, or even shift your position and angle.

Pro Res Zoom (Pixel 11 Pro and Pro XL, 10 Pro and Pro XL): On the Pixel 11 Pro models, you can now zoom up to 120X (100X on the 10 Pro models), and Google’s Pro Res Zoom will capture more than 200 frames, blend them all for sharpness and denoising, and will even generate some frames of what it thinks should be there. The result is a shockingly sharp photo considering the digital zoom level. How real it is, well, that’s a different question.

Help Me Edit With Ask Photos: When you tap edit on a photo, you’ll now see a text box that lets you ask the phone to make edits on your behalf. (You can still manually edit photos.) You can be super specific—ask it to remove the plastic bag in the background—or vague: “Make this look better,” or “Fix the lighting.” A newer capability even lets you replace a friend’s sunglasses with their eyes, provided you have your friend labeled within the Face Groups in Google Photos, so that Google can use older photos of them as a reference.

Hands-Free Photos: If you have a Pixel 6 or newer, you can take a hands-free photo by showing your open palm to the camera. Once the camera detects your palm (it’ll show a square icon over it), it’ll trigger a timer.

Magic Editor: This feature has morphed into the general Actions tab when you edit a photo, but some other capabilities are spread throughout the edit functions. You’re given free rein to change up the photo in a variety of ways, like selecting subjects and moving them in the frame. You can also find it by tapping Edit on a photo, then tapping and holding anywhere on the image.

Magic Eraser: In the Google Photos app, you can remove objects in the background of your photos (even those not captured on Pixels). Just tap the Edit button and head to Actions > Magic Eraser. It will automatically suggest things to remove, or you can highlight the object with your finger. You can also change the color of a distracting object instead of removing it entirely. It’s available on all Pixel phones.

Astrophotography mode: Set your Pixel on a tripod (something like this will work), point it at the sky, open the camera, and go to Night Sight mode. Once the phone detects that it’s completely still and on a tripod, you’ll see Astrophotography mode kick in. Tap the shutter button, and within three to five minutes, you’ll have a photo of the stars. Ideally, you should be in a dark area with little light pollution, but it’ll work wherever you are. Don’t touch the phone—just let it do its thing until the timer ends. You can also force this feature by opening the camera app, heading to the Night Sight tab, tapping on the moon or star symbol on the bottom right, and moving the slider to Astro.

Super-Res Zoom: If you’re taking a picture of something far away, use two fingers to pinch and zoom in up to 30X, then snap the photo. Google uses software wizardry to upscale the quality of digitally zoomed-in photos, so you see a lot more detail. On the Pixel 7 series and newer, this process has improved further, as Google fuses images from the main camera and telephoto.

Zoom Enhance (Tensor G3 and newer): Much like on the old CSI shows, when someone says, “Enhance,” this feature generates pixels in distant objects to make them appear sharper. You can enable it by going to a photo and tapping Edit > Tools > Zoom Enhance. Zoom in on an area of the image, then let it do its magic.

Best Take (Tensor G3 and newer): If you snap a series of photos of a group of people within a short time frame, you will get the option to switch their faces! This is weird, but truly helpful if folks are blinking, not smiling, or not looking right at the camera. Maybe another frame in another photo captured the face you want. You can use this feature by pressing Edit on a photo, then going to Tools > Best Take. In the Pixel 10 series and Pixel 10a, this has been upgraded to Auto Best Take, where the phone captures a series of photos automatically when it detects two or more people in the shot. That way, you don’t need to make any changes after capture to get the perfect photo—it should already be in your camera library.

Auto Frame in Magic Editor (Tensor G4 and newer): In a photo, tap on the Edit icon, then tap on the ruler icon at the top left. Choose Auto Frame. This will generate a few different options of the same photo in different compositions. It might add a little extra imagery to the right or left of the subject to change the framing, or even give you a horizontal orientation if you shot vertically.

Add Me (Tensor G4 and newer): If you and your partner are traveling and there’s no one around to take a picture of you both in front of a landmark (or you don’t want someone to run off with your phone), just use Add Me. One person takes the photo, then swaps places with the other, but you’ll have to make it seem like you were standing next to each other. The resulting image is the two photos stitched together, and no one is the wiser. This is available in the camera app as the Add Me tab. Google updated the feature in the Pixel 10 to work better with big groups and pets.

Reimagine (Tensor G4 and newer): This terrifyingly powerful feature lets you completely change a photo with text. Open an image, press Edit, then tap and hold anywhere on the photo to see the overflow menu, and choose Reimagine. You’ll be prompted to type some text in. There are guardrails, so you can’t just expect anything to work, but you can alter the sky or time of day, add the moon, or even change a road into a lake. It’s scarily easy.

Audio Magic Eraser (Tensor G3 and newer): Have an annoying sound in the background of your video clip? Pixels can now erase unwanted audio! It works with only a few types of sounds, like crowds, sirens, and animals, but you can access it and try it by tapping Edit in a video and selecting Audio Magic Eraser. A recent update lets you turn specific sounds up or down and even separate the voices of different people.

Video Boost (Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 8 Pro only): This feature is exclusive to the Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 8 Pro series; it allows you to improve the quality of your videos. In the Video tab of the camera app, press the gear icon on the left in Video mode and toggle on Video Boost. (You can also just switch to the Night Sight tab in Video mode for it to automatically kick in.) Now take a video; you’ll have to wait for Google to process the clip in the cloud. Once done—it could take an hour, or you may have to wait overnight, depending on the size of the file—the clip should be brighter, with better stabilization, less noise, and more vivid colors. It’s particularly useful in low-light settings. You can still utilize the original clip if you want to share it immediately. The Pixel 10 Pro upscales this feature to 8K recording.

Photo Unblur (Tensor G2 and newer): You can unblur old (or new) photos in your library with the tap of a button. Results will vary, but it’s impressive and might turn an unusable photo into something you’ll want to share. It’ll work with cats and dogs. To unblur a photo, press Edit > Actions > Unblur.

Portrait Light: You can change up the lighting in your portrait selfies after you take them by opening them in Google Photos, tapping Edit, and heading to Actions > Portrait Light. This adds an artificial light you can place anywhere in the photo to brighten up your face and erase that five-o’clock shadow. Use the slider at the bottom to tweak the strength of the light. It also works on older Portrait mode photos you may have captured. It works only on faces.

Cough & Snore Detection (Tensor G2 and newer): On the Pixel 7 and newer, your Pixel can detect when you cough and snore while sleeping, as long as you place it near your bed before you nod off. This will work only if you use Google’s Bedtime mode, which you can turn on by going to Settings > Digital Wellbeing & Parental Controls > Bedtime Mode.

Guided Frame (Tensor G2 and newer): For blind or low-vision people, the camera app can now help take a selfie with audio cues (it works with the front and rear cameras). You’ll need to enable TalkBack for this to work (Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack). Then open the camera app. It will automatically help you frame the shot.

Simple View: This mode makes the font size bigger, along with other elements on the screen, like widgets and quick-settings tiles. It also increases touch sensitivity, which should make the screen easier to see and use. You can enable it by heading to Settings > Accessibility > Simple View.

Theft Protection: This feature launched in Android 15, but essentially, Google’s algorithms can figure out if someone snatches your Pixel out of your hands. If they’re trying to get away, the device automatically locks. Additionally, with another device, you can use Remote Lock to lock your stolen Pixel with your phone number and a security answer. To toggle these features on, go to Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Theft protection.

Identity Check: If your Pixel detects you’re in a new location, Identity Check will require fingerprint or face authentication before you can make changes to sensitive settings, offering extra peace of mind if you lose your phone or it’s stolen. You can enable this in Settings > Security & privacy > Device unlock > Theft protection > Identity Check.

Private Space: Pixel phones finally have a feature that lets you hide and lock select apps (Android 15 and up). You can use a separate Google account, set a lock, and install any app to hide away. To set it all up, head to Settings > Security & privacy > Private space.

Satellite eSOS (Pixel 9 and Pixel 10 series, excluding Pixel 9a): Like Apple’s SOS feature on iPhones, you can now reach emergency contacts or emergency services even when you don’t have cell service or Wi-Fi connectivity. It’s available not only in the continental US, but also in Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, and even Europe.

Car Crash Detection: Hopefully, you never have to use this feature. As the name suggests, Pixel phones can tell when you’ve been in a serious crash with the help of mics and motion sensors. Turn it on in the Personal Safety app (or Settings > Safety & Emergency), and if a crash is detected, your phone will check to see whether you’re OK. If there’s no response, it can share your location with emergency responders and emergency contacts. It works in select countries.

Find Hub (Tensor G3 and newer): Select Pixels can be tracked via the company’s Find Hub app even if the battery is dead or the phone is off, making it easier to find if you’ve left it behind or if someone stole it. (Your location data is encrypted and private from Google.) Open the Find Hub app, tap your device, then tap Settings > Find your offline devices to choose an option.

Built-in VPN (Pixel 7 and newer): With the Pixel 7 and newer, you have access to a VPN (virtual private network). It’ll encrypt your traffic to give you peace of mind. You can access it for free for as long as the phones receive updates.

Quick Share and AirDrop (Pixel 11, 10, and 9 series): Google’s Pixel 11 phones, Pixel 10 phones, the Pixel 10a, and Pixel 9 series (excluding the Pixel 9a) can “AirDrop” files and photos over to iPhones, Macs, or iPads. This new cross-compatibility is available through Android’s Quick Share feature, but the iPhone owner must switch AirDrop mode to “Everyone for 10 Minutes” instead of “Contacts Only.”

DisplayPort Support (Tensor G3 and newer): You can finally connect your Pixel phone to an external monitor by using a data-supported USB-C cable.

Quick Phrases: When the alarm goes off, you can just say “Stop” or “Snooze” instead of fumbling for your phone. This applies when you get a phone call: Just say “Answer,” “Decline,” or “Silence.” To make sure this is toggled on, launch Assistant and say “Assistant settings.” Then scroll to Quick Phrases. It works in select other languages, too.

Power Saving mode in Google Maps (Pixel 10 series and later): If your phone is low on juice but you need it for navigation, Google Maps has a special power-saving mode that offers a simplified layout to conserve power. Google says it can extend your battery life up to four hours.

Circle to Search: This is Google’s way to run a Google Search on practically anything—whether you’re reading a news story on the web, looking at a photo on Instagram, or watching a video on TikTok. Just press and hold the home button (the pill-shaped bar if you are using gesture navigation), and circle anything on the screen you want to search. An overlay menu will pop up with search results, and you can add text to the search query. You can even use it to identify music that’s playing within your apps, like TikTok or Instagram, and ask follow-up questions. A recent update added a way to “Find the Look,” letting you select someone’s whole outfit and have Gemini parse each item without you having to specify. With the Pixel 11 series, Google added the option to use Circle to Search in your camera app viewfinder without snapping a photo first.

Photomoji: You can create sticker reactions from any picture in Google Messages. Just press and hold on a message and tap the Create button. Choose a photo or take a new one, and it’ll automatically crop out the subject. Now you can use that as a sticker reaction to any message!

Body Temperature Sensor (Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 8 Pro only): The Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 8 Pro have a thermometer you can use to take the temperature of an object, but an update has enabled you to take a person’s temperature. Just open the thermometer app, point the sensor at the forehead, and scan. You can save the results to the Fitbit app. Google received the FDA’s De Novo classification for this feature, though you should know the results might not be very accurate.

Quick Tap: Head over to Settings > System > Gestures > Quick Tap to enable it. It lets you double-tap the upper back of your Pixel (Pixel 4A 5G or newer) to trigger a function. That includes flipping the camera for a selfie, turning on the flashlight, sliding down the notification bar, or, exclusive to Pixels, starting a Snap on Snapchat.

Pixel Journal (Pixel 8, 9, and 10 series): Google’s new Journal app lets you jot down your thoughts, add images, and it’ll offer up reflections on the words you write. It will also offer prompts based on the goals you create during setup, in case you’re at a loss on what to write.

Daily Hub (Pixel 10): Similar to Samsung’s Now Brief feature, this Daily Hub is nestled in Google Discover, but will also show up in the At a Glance widget a few times a day. It’ll give you upcoming calendar events, reminders powered by Magic Cue, and even suggest new activities to try based on your Google Search history.

Now Playing: Ever hear a song at the coffee shop and wonder who it’s by? Now Playing uses on-device machine learning to figure out what music is playing in the background, and it displays the artist and title on the lock screen (or in your notifications). It doesn’t require an internet connection, so there’s no data shared between you and Google. This isn’t turned on by default, so head to Settings > Sound and Vibration > Now Playing and toggle it on. You can even turn on Now Playing History in case you forgot to write down an artist’s name when you saw it earlier. Google added a button you can press in case Now Playing doesn’t automatically identify a song, sorta like Shazam.

Adaptive Vibration (Tensor G2 and newer): You can toggle this on by heading to Settings > Sound & vibration > Vibration & haptics > Adaptive vibration. It auto-adjusts vibration strength based on the environment, so if it’s quiet, the vibration may be less noticeable, and vice versa.

Device as a Webcam: You can use your Pixel phone as a webcam by connecting it to your laptop or desktop via a cable. This works on the Pixel 6 and newer.

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