Main points
- Pixel phones get the latest Android features first, and the camera capabilities are top-notch.
- Features like call screen, circle search, temperature checks, and more set the Pixel apart from other Android phones.
- Pixel offers unique features like Ultra Battery Saver, Sports Mode, Hold for Me, and more to enhance user experience.
Since Google owns the Android platform, it stands to reason that Google makes some of the best Android phones. The fact that Pixel phones are optimized for Google’s operating system means they get the latest Android features earlier than other brands. The Pixel’s camera capabilities are also unmatched.
A few years ago, I traded in my old Samsung Galaxy for a Pixel phone and because of its benefits, I never looked back. If you’re on the fence about buying a Pixel, or already own a Pixel and want to know what it can do, here’s a roundup of the best Google Pixel features you won’t find on other Android phones.
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1 Circle search
Search anything on the screen
Circle Search lets you circle any item displayed on your phone screen and search online. For example, if you spot a cool backpack in a picture, just circle it with your finger or stylus. If Google finds the item, you can proceed with the purchase.
This feature is similar to Google Lens in that it uses your camera to identify objects in the real world. Originally exclusive to the Pixel 8, the feature is now also available on the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro.
2 Incoming call screen
Google can ask who’s calling
google/pocket-lint
Call screen lets you preview incoming calls before answering.When the incoming call notification appears on the screen, just tap screen call button. Google Assistant will step in, answer the call on your behalf, and ask the caller for their identity and purpose while transcribing the conversation in real time.
Google has rolled out a subtle but handy enhancement for the Pixel 6 and later models. If a caller remains silent during the screening process, users can now tap the new “Hello” button to prompt Google Assistant to encourage them to talk. Additionally, there is an option to notify callers that you are currently unable to respond, but will respond shortly.
3 Temperature check
Pixel 8 Pro can measure your body temperature
Pixel 8 Pro has a temperature sensor that lets you measure the temperature of an object (such as a cup of coffee) or a person. In addition to monitoring your body temperature, the Pixel 8 Pro’s temperature sensor can also store body temperature data in the Fitbit app. Simply slide the Pixel along your forehead toward your temple to quickly check your temperature.
To use this feature, you have to download the Thermometer app from the Play Store and choose to measure the object temperature or body temperature.
It’s worth noting that selecting the wrong object category may affect accuracy, and body temperature readings may differ from those obtained using a traditional thermometer. Still, this feature is valuable for preliminary temperature checks.
4 Super power saving
Up to 72 hours of battery life when the battery is low
Google Pixel phones offer a power-saving feature called “Extreme Battery Saver” that extends battery life to 72 hours by deactivating certain features, pausing apps and reducing processing speed. This mode also turns off background activities like notifications and app refresh, while critical system apps like Phone, Messages, Clock, and Settings are unaffected.
You can choose to configure it to activate automatically when the battery reaches a specified level, and you can choose which apps stay running in extreme power saving mode.
5 Sport mode
Capture fleeting moments
Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro introduce motion mode to capture moving objects. This mode adds motion blur to the background while keeping the camera steady or tracking a moving subject. Sports mode offers two options: panning action and long exposure.
Action panning is great for capturing fast-moving subjects, such as a speeding motorcycle. Traditionally, photographers would move the camera along the subject to create a blurred background while keeping the subject sharp. With motion panning, the camera analyzes the image to distinguish between still and moving elements, ensuring that the subject remains sharp even if the background is blurred. This feature also works for selfies.
With Google Pixel 6, artificial intelligence technology achieves this balance, giving the impression of movement in the scene.
Long exposures, on the other hand, are useful for introducing blur in static scenes, such as capturing light trails or the flowing motion of a waterfall. Typically, photographers use neutral density (ND) filters on traditional cameras to reduce incoming light, allowing for longer exposure times without overexposing the image. With Google Pixel 6, artificial intelligence technology achieves this balance, giving the impression of movement in the scene.
6 Wait me a moment
Let Google wait for you
Hold for Me is a handy feature first introduced on Pixel 3. Powered by Google Duplex, Hold for Me uses AI to identify on-hold music, recorded messages and representatives during calls. Google Assistant will alert you when a representative is detected and ask the representative to wait while you return to the call.
While the “Wait for Me” feature lets you keep the call on hold, Google’s artificial intelligence mutes the call so you can view live captions. All audio processing occurs on your device, and no data is sent to Google. Recordings and transcripts are automatically deleted from your device 48 hours after the call.
7 Security check
Your Pixel is thinking about you
Personal security apps available on both Pixel smartphones and watches can be a veritable lifesaver. For example, if you fail to check in at a designated time, the Safety Check feature will notify your contacts and automatically share your location so they can contact emergency services or locate you themselves.
Plus, personal security apps give you access to important medical information and emergency contacts even when your phone is locked. You can even choose to automatically share this information when emergency services are contacted.
Pixel watches with this feature can detect serious falls and trigger a call for help. By quickly pressing the crown five or more times you can immediately call emergency services or contact an emergency contact.
8:40
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8 best choice
Get better group photos
Taking good group photos is always a challenge. It often takes several attempts to ensure everyone looks their best. Best Take, available on Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, uses artificial intelligence to seamlessly blend group photos into perfect compositions.
The Pixel 8 camera can take multiple photos and switch between people’s facial expressions so you get the best shot of everyone. You can find Best Shots in the Tools section of Google Photos.
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9 Quick click capture
Snapchat simplified
Snapchat/Pocket-lint
With Quick Tap, you can double-tap the back of the phone to perform various actions, such as opening apps, taking screenshots, controlling media playback, or showing notifications. Pixel 6 and above devices also support Quick Tap Capture.
By tapping the back of your phone, you can quickly access Snapchat’s Camera Only mode to easily capture a photo or video. The partnership extends even further, with Snapchat taking advantage of some of Google’s advanced Pixel features, such as real-time translation.
10 magic editor
Resize and rearrange photos
Magic Editor is a feature in Google Photos that uses AI to provide guided edits to your images. One of the most striking features of Magic Editor is generating fills. You may have come across a similar feature from Magic Eraser, which copies a small portion of the background, but Magic Editor goes a step further.
Rather than simply filling the area with the content of nearby pixels, it uses advanced artificial intelligence to understand the broader context of the image, allowing it to leverage a more appropriate contextual image. You can also resize, rearrange and even delete individual objects in the image.
11 video enhancement
Enhance your videos with AI
Video enhancements in Google Photos improve video quality by stabilizing footage, refining colors, reducing noise, and using Night Sight to brighten dark scenes. Video Boost is a feature exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro that leverages the power of the phone’s Tensor G3 chipset and computational photography.
This feature leverages cloud computing resources to improve video quality by uploading and processing clips. Once processing is complete, the improved video can be downloaded. Unlike many other Pixel photography features, Video Boost requires an internet connection, so proceed with caution to avoid overusing data.
12 movie wallpaper
Add a stylish background to your screen
With a Pixel 6 or newer device, you can turn any photo in your gallery into a cinematic wallpaper. Google applies 3D effects to images to enhance foreground subjects. This feature is best for taking photos that focus on one or two people.
To try it out, navigate to your Pixel phone’s settings menu and select Wallpapers and stylesThen Change wallpaper.choose My Photo option and select the desired image for your new wallpaper.Finally, click on the shiny icon and toggle the switch next to it Create movie wallpapers.
There are also emoji wallpapers that let you create cute custom patterns for your phone background.
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13 Live subtitles
Automatically add titles to all content
Live Captions provides real-time captions for all audio on your mobile device, including voice calls on Pixel phones. It provides accessibility features for people who are deaf or hard of hearing; however, it is also useful in noisy environments, such as crowded buses. Live captions work seamlessly with videos, podcasts and audio messages, no Wi-Fi or data connection required.
Just press the volume button and click Live subtitles The icon, represented by a small text box, activates this feature. Live subtitles are English-compatible and available on Pixel 2 and newer models, ensuring accessibility on Pixel devices launched in recent years. According to Google, subtitles are processed and stored locally on your device to protect privacy.
Additionally, you can adjust specific settings, such as hiding profanity and flagging sounds like laughter and applause.right to use set up and select Live subtitles Personalize these preferences.