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Google Pixel Phones Start Receiving Android 11 Update: What’s New, Compatible Phones, More

Google Pixel Phones Start Receiving Android 11 Update: What’s New, Compatible Phones, More

Android 11 for Pixel phones brings a new Live View with Location Sharing feature in Google Maps and Smart Reply in Gboard.

By Tasneem Akolawala | Updated: 9 September 2020 12:40 IST

Google Pixel Phones Start Receiving Android 11 Update: What’s New, Compatible Phones, More

Pixel users are getting app suggestions feature that recommends apps based on daily routines

Highlights

Original Pixel series is no longer eligible to receive software updates
Pixel 2 and above phones will get the latest Android 11 update
Google says the roll out is staged and will be completed in two weeks

Google's Pixel range is now receiving the latest Android 11 update. The update brings along additional features especially for Pixel phones including app suggestions, Live View with Location Sharing in Google Maps, a new Smart Reply method in Gboard, and more convenient ways to select text and images, or take a screenshot with new overview actions. All of this is in addition to the other common changes that Android 11 brings along. Google says that the update has started rolling out in a staged manner and will be completed over the next two weeks.

Google is rolling out the Android 11 update with exclusive features for the Pixel series. The update is coming to Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, and Pixel 4a users. The original Pixel series has now passed the valid period for software support. Because it is a staged rollout, a notification may not appear for compatible Pixel phones immediately. Check for the update manually in System > Advanced > System update.

Google has separately announced the roll out of Android 11 for select Xiaomi, OnePlus, and Realme smartphones as well.

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Pixel phones new features

The tech giant has released exclusive features just for Pixel users with the Android 11 update, and it includes Live View with Location Sharing in Google Maps. This enables users to see directions superimposed in the real world. Once a friend shares his location, a new bubble with their profile icon shows up in Google Maps. Tapping on it and pressing the new Live View option will allow you to see where they are in relation to you, along with how far away they are. Tapping on “Start” will then show you arrows and directions placed right on top of your world so you can see exactly which way to go.

There is also the addition of a new Smart Reply feature on Pixel's Gboard. As the name suggests, it offers suggestions when using chat apps. Google says that it has been processed on the phone to protect user privacy. The update brings a unique app suggestions feature that recommends apps based on daily routines. It will learn the user behaviour over time and then recommend apps you use at different times of the day. For instance, Messages for daily check-ins, Google Maps for the afternoon walk, and music apps for the evening.

Pixel phones get new ways to take screenshots and block apps
Photo Credit: Google

The new Android 11 update for Pixel phones brings a more convenient way to select text and images, or take a screenshot with new overview actions. The update also brings intelligent suggestions for folder names and the ability to quickly group apps by themes like photography, news, navigation, fitness and more.

Other features bundled with the common Android 11 update include built-in screen recording, bubbles for multi-tasking, and a dedicated space for conversations in messaging apps in the notifications section. There is also redesigned media controls, wireless Android Auto functionality, and more. There are a bunch of privacy-centric features like one-time permissions for apps, auto-reset of permissions on unused apps, and several other privacy protections for Android Enterprise users.

Is Android One holding back Nokia smartphones in India? We discussed this on Orbital, our weekly technology podcast, which you can subscribe to via Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or RSS, download the episode, or just hit the play button below.

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Google Pixel 2

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS
Variants

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Comfortable form factor, lightweight
Great cameras
Intelligent software features
Excellent performance

Bad
Volume button feels stiff
Boring design

Read detailed Google Pixel 2 review

Display 5.00-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 835

Front Camera 8-megapixel

Rear Camera 12.2-megapixel

RAM 4GB

Storage 64GB

Battery Capacity 2700mAh

OS Android 8.0.0

Resolution 1080x1920 pixels

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Choose a variant

Google Pixel 2 XL

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS
Variants

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Ergonomic design
Great cameras
Intelligent software features
Good battery life
Excellent performance

Bad
Annoying blue tint on display
Too expensive

Read detailed Google Pixel 2 XL review

Display 6.00-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 835

Front Camera 8-megapixel

Rear Camera 12.2-megapixel

RAM 4GB

Storage 64GB

Battery Capacity 3520mAh

OS Android 8.0.0

Resolution 1440x2880 pixels

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Google Pixel 3

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS
Variants

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Excellent build, comfortable to handle
Intuitive software features
Very good cameras
HDR capable display
Excellent stereo speakers

Bad
Expensive

Read detailed Google Pixel 3 review

Display 5.50-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 845

Front Camera 8-megapixel + 8-megapixel

Rear Camera 12.2-megapixel

RAM 4GB

Storage 64GB

Battery Capacity 2915mAh

OS Android 9.0

Resolution 1080x2160 pixels

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Google Pixel 3 XL

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS
Variants

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Excellent build
Intuitive software features
Very good cameras
HDR capable display
Excellent stereo speakers

Bad
Poor notch design
Expensive

Read detailed Google Pixel 3 XL review

Display 6.30-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 845

Front Camera 8-megapixel + 8-megapixel

Rear Camera 12.2-megapixel

RAM 4GB

Storage 64GB

Battery Capacity 3430mAh

OS Android 9.0

Resolution 1440x2960 pixels

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Google Pixel 3a

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Very good cameras
Good software features
Guaranteed updates for three years
Stereo speakers

Bad
Expensive
Weak processor and low storage for the price

Read detailed Google Pixel 3a review

Display 5.60-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 670

Front Camera 8-megapixel

Rear Camera 12.2-megapixel

RAM 4GB

Storage 64GB

Battery Capacity 3000mAh

OS Android 9 Pie

Resolution 1080x2220 pixels

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Google Pixel 3a XL

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Very good cameras
Good software features
Guaranteed updates for three years
Stereo speakers

Bad
Expensive
Weak processor and low storage for the price

Read detailed Google Pixel 3a XL review

Display 6.00-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 670

Front Camera 8-megapixel

Rear Camera 12.2-megapixel

RAM 4GB

Storage 64GB

Battery Capacity 3700mAh

OS Android 9 Pie

Resolution 1080x2160 pixels

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Google Pixel 4

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 5.70-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 855

Front Camera 8-megapixel

Rear Camera 16-megapixel + 12.2-megapixel

RAM 6GB

Storage 64GB

Battery Capacity 2800mAh

OS Android 10

Resolution 1080x2280 pixels

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Google Pixel 4 XL

KEY SPECS
NEWS
Variants

Display 6.30-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 855

Front Camera 8-megapixel

Rear Camera 16-megapixel + 12.2-megapixel

RAM 6GB

Storage 64GB

Battery Capacity 3700mAh

OS Android 10

Resolution 1440x3040 pixels

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Google Pixel 4a

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Reliable camera performance
Lean software with guaranteed updates
Stereo speakers
Vivid OLED display
Light, built well

Bad
Relatively low battery capacity
No ultra-wide camera

Read detailed Google Pixel 4a review

Display 5.81-inch

Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G

Front Camera 8-megapixel

Rear Camera 12.2-megapixel

RAM 6GB

Storage 128GB

Battery Capacity 3140mAh

OS Android 10

Resolution 1080x2340 pixels

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Further reading: Android 11, Android 11 Update, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Google