The Google Pixel 11 has officially launched, and one of its standout additions is the return of the "HiLight" feature, which had been absent from recent models, according to German outlet Merkur. The publication reported the news on Saturday, August 15, 2026, highlighting the feature's comeback as a key talking point for the new device.
Merkur's coverage focuses on the reintroduction of HiLight, a functionality that users had apparently been requesting for some time. The report does not specify exactly what HiLight does, but frames its return as a significant move by Google to address user feedback.
Beyond the HiLight feature, the Pixel 11 launch has generated broader commentary across German media. Spiegel reports that Google is packing more artificial intelligence into the latest Pixel generation while simultaneously reducing the amount of RAM in the devices. This trade-off suggests the company is leaning heavily on its AI software to handle tasks that might traditionally require more memory.
Handelsblatt characterizes the new Pixel as a "showcase" for Google's AI capabilities, positioning the smartphone as a platform to demonstrate what the company's machine learning models can achieve. Meanwhile, Faz.net offers a more measured take, describing the updates as incremental AI improvements rather than a "game changer" that would fundamentally alter the smartphone landscape.
Vodafone has already published a comparison between the Pixel 11 Pro XL and Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra, framing it as a battle for dominance in the Android market. This suggests that reviewers are already looking at how the new Pixel stacks up against its biggest rival.
As the Pixel 11 begins reaching consumers, the key question will be whether the AI-driven approach and the return of HiLight are enough to convince users to upgrade, especially when compared to the competition from Samsung.
