Google teases the Pixel 11 with a glowing orb on the camera bar, which may be a new 'Pixel Glow' feature tied to Android 17 or Gemini AI.
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">A new teaser for Google's upcoming Pixel 11 lineup reveals that the phones will feature some kind of glowing orb on the camera bar, <a href="https://9to5google.com/2026/07/15/pixel-11-first-tease/">as reported by <em>9to5Google</em></a>.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Google's <a href="https://store.google.com/magazine/google_pixel_11?hl=en-US">store page for the Pixel 11</a> has a short video that shows the glowing, color-shifting orb to the one side of the camera bar. The store page doesn't share any more information about it, but perhaps the orb is the "Pixel Glow" light feature that has <a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/913623/a-new-android-17-beta-reveals-plans-for-pixel-glow-light-animations">popped up in Android 17 betas</a>. If I had to guess, the orb will likely have something to do with Google's Gemini AI.</p>
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<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We probably won't have to wait too much longer to learn what the orb is all about. Google has announced an August 12 …</p>
<p><a href="https://www.theverge.com/tech/966120/google-pixel-11-camera-bar-teaser">Read the full story at The Verge.</a></p>
# Something’s glowing on the Pixel 11’s camera bar
Source: [https://www.theverge.com/tech/966120/google-pixel-11-camera-bar-teaser](https://www.theverge.com/tech/966120/google-pixel-11-camera-bar-teaser)
[](https://www.theverge.com/authors/jay-peters)
Jay Peters
is a senior reporter covering technology, gaming, and more\. He joined The Verge in 2019 after nearly two years at Techmeme\.
A new teaser for Google’s upcoming Pixel 11 lineup reveals that the phones will feature some kind of glowing orb on the camera bar,[as reported by*9to5Google*](https://9to5google.com/2026/07/15/pixel-11-first-tease/)\.
Google’s[store page for the Pixel 11](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/links/8836598/type/dlg/https://store.google.com/magazine/google_pixel_11?hl=en-US)has a short video that shows the glowing, color\-shifting orb to the one side of the camera bar\. The store page doesn’t share any more information about it, but perhaps the orb is the “Pixel Glow” light feature that has[popped up in Android 17 betas](https://www.theverge.com/tech/913623/a-new-android-17-beta-reveals-plans-for-pixel-glow-light-animations)\. If I had to guess, the orb will likely have something to do with Google’s Gemini AI\.
We probably won’t have to wait too much longer to learn what the orb is all about\. Google has announced an August 12th launch event[for new Pixel hardware](https://www.theverge.com/tech/962313/made-by-google-pixel-11-launch-event), and the teaser for that announcement also featured a look at the Pixel 11 — though without the glowing orb\. The Pixel lineup is rumored to[get more expensive](https://www.theverge.com/tech/962781/google-pixel-11-lineup-price-increase), but at least the Pixel 11 colors[might rule this year](https://www.theverge.com/tech/964972/google-pixel-11-colors-rumor)\.
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- Jay Peters
A rumor suggests Google's Pixel 11 lineup will come in new vibrant colors, with placeholder Amazon listings revealing possible names and a higher starting price of $899.
Google rolls out Android 17 to Pixel phones, introducing Bubbles for multitasking, Screen Reactions for recording selfie videos during screen recording, and other features, with additional AI capabilities like Gemini Omni and Lyria 3 arriving later.
Google rolls out disco-ball-themed custom app icons for Pixel phones, joining the trend started by Spotify's temporary icon, in a lighthearted update that allows users to add glittery sparkle to their home screens.
Google's Pixel 11 launch event is scheduled for August 12, with rumors of higher prices due to AI-driven component shortages and a base storage upgrade to 256GB.
Google releases Android 17 with new multitasking 'bubble bar', AI features from Gemini Omni and Lyria 3, and enhanced safety tools. The update also includes Wear OS 7 and a Pixel Drop for Pixel devices.