Google may replace thermometer with RGB LED ‘Pixel Glow’ lights on Pixel 11 Pro models, claims new leak
With May underway, Google’s annual refresh is coming into view. Google I/O is just weeks away, and the Pixel 11 lineup is expected to follow later this year. Early CAD renders had already hinted at design changes, but a fresh leak from the Mystic Leaks Telegram channel now puts one interesting change into the spotlight. Google may finally be dropping the thermometer sensor, and replacing it with something far more visible.
Pixel 11 series rumoured features and design
According to the leak, Google is set to remove the infrared thermometer from the Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and Pixel 11 Pro Fold. The sensor, first introduced with the Pixel 8 Pro, stuck around for a few generations but never quite became a daily-use feature for most users. In its place, the camera bar could house a new RGB LED array, internally referred to as “Pixel Glow.” Instead of a niche sensor, you get a visual system that can signal notifications, alerts, or AI activity.
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This isn’t unfamiliar territory. Nothing has already made its Glyph lighting a defining feature. Google’s version, based on current leaks, is expected to be more restrained comprising a smaller LED setup integrated into the camera bar, not across the full back. It is likely to be tied closely to Gemini AI for visual cues and feedback and focus on subtle light animations rather than full custom lighting patterns.
Early hints suggest the LED system may be more limited than Nothing’s implementation, possibly restricted to system-level functions rather than user customisation. It may also remain exclusive to Pro models, with the standard Pixel 11 missing out. Still, compared to the outgoing thermometer, this is a far more visible and intuitive feature, something users will actually notice in everyday use.
Expected specifications
Beyond the design shift, the Pixel 11 series looks like a continuation of Google’s current hardware approach. The entire lineup is expected to run on the new Tensor G6 chip, built on TSMC’s 2nm process. That should improve efficiency and help the phone handle sustained AI workloads more smoothly. Key details from the leak include:
- A new CPU setup with a peak core clock of 4.11GHz.
- A PowerVR GPU and upgraded TPU for AI-driven tasks like voice input and image processing.
- Titan M3 security chip
- MediaTek M90 modem
Across the lineup:
- Pixel 11: 6.3-inch OLED, 120Hz, around 5,000mAh battery
- Pixel 11 Pro: similar size, sharper display, more RAM, added telephoto camera
- Pixel 11 Pro XL: larger 6.8-inch display and bigger battery
- Pixel 11 Pro Fold: dual-display foldable with high refresh rates and a battery just under 5,000mAh.
The hardware upgrades are steady, with most of the differentiation continuing to sit in cameras, display size, and memory options. Google appears to be moving away from features that sound interesting but see limited use, toward elements that are always visible and tied into the core experience.
The Pixel 11 series is months away, but if this leak holds, Google trying to make its phones feel more responsive and alive, solving a long-standing pain point with Pixel phones.
