Google drops temperature sensor from Pixel 11 Pro models
Updated
Updated · 9to5Google · May 5
Google drops temperature sensor from Pixel 11 Pro models
8 articles · Updated · 9to5Google · May 5
Leaks say both the Pixel 11 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro XL will replace the sensor with rear-facing "Pixel Glow" LEDs, while the Pixel 11 Pro Fold may also gain the lights.
The sensor debuted on the Pixel 8 Pro in 2023 and later added body-temperature support, but it remained a niche feature on the Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 10 Pro.
A late-2025 Google survey asked owners how often they used the sensor, reinforcing expectations that weak engagement and limited practical use would lead to its removal.
Is Google's new 'Pixel Glow' a meaningful innovation or another short-lived feature destined for the hardware graveyard?
Does dropping another niche hardware feature reveal deeper uncertainty in Google's long-term vision for the Pixel series?
Why is temperature sensing a vital health metric in wearables but a failed gimmick on Google's flagship phone?