Google Pixel

A decade of Pixel, it’s only in the last few years that we have seen Google settle into a rhythm with smartphones. It hasn’t been smooth sailing, though.

10 years ago today, Google launched the first Pixel smartphone and, at the time, teased it by saying we’d still be talking about it years later. And, yeah, we still are, and this is a Google project that shows no signs of slowing down.

9to5Google Weekender by Ben Schoon is a part of our free newsletter that also includes ‘Inbox,’ a twice-weekly roundup of key stories from around the web by Daniel Bader. Sign up here to get Weekender delivered to your inbox every Sunday along with ‘Inbox’ on Tuesday and Thursday. You can find past issues here.

Google’s original Pixel Fold was inherently flawed but also fundamentally way better than I expected and, thanks to recent arrivals, also way ahead of its time.

In 2020, Google Pixel was in a remarkably tough spot. A flailing flagship with one of its central features effectively ruined by a global pandemic combined with massive supply shortages meant that grand plans for the future were on hold. It was always going to be a tough year to release a smartphone but, looking back, the Pixel 5 maybe doesn’t get enough credit for making the best of it.

Google Pixel has evolved tremendously over the years, with some radically different designs showing up between generations. As the lineup turns 10, the Pixel 4 remains the one that stands out as my favorite smartphone hardware Google has made yet, and it’s not just about the looks.

Google Pixel’s 10-year anniversary has me taking a look back at a bunch of the milestones throughout this lineup’s history and, when picking up the Pixel 2 XL, hindsight really kicked in as to how this phone was very much a sign of the tumultuous roller coaster that would become Google Pixel.

Google is apparently preparing to bring Proactive Assistance – also known as “Magic Cue” – from its Pixel phones over to Android Auto, which could be a really useful addition.

On 4 October 2016, Google introduced the original Pixel and Pixel XL, marking a major pivot away from the developer-focused Nexus line and ushering in what is now a decade of “Made by Google” hardware – but which is best and why?

Following the Pixel 11 launch last month, the Pixel Referral Program is now back and refreshed on the Google Store.

Following several Pixel 11-specific bugs after the phone’s launch, another one reportedly breaks NFC tap-to-pay, used for contactless payments. But this one is affecting more than just the Pixel 11.

This week saw the debut of Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon chips and, with it, the usual onslaught of Tensor hate around Google’s Pixel phones. Personally, I don’t care about those, but new launches around Qualcomm’s event have shown off a lot of other specs I’d much rather see Pixel adopt.

9to5Google Weekender by Ben Schoon is a part of our free newsletter that also includes ‘Inbox,’ a twice-weekly roundup of key stories from around the web by Daniel Bader. Sign up here to get Weekender delivered to your inbox every Sunday along with ‘Inbox’ on Tuesday and Thursday. You can find past issues here.

Following the version 2.0 update rolling out earlier this week, Google is now beginning to launch the Pixel VIPs widget redesign announced in the September Feature Drop.

Following last week’s Feature Drop, Pixel VIPs 2.0 is beginning to roll out, and it brings more changes than just the widget redesign.

This month’s stable release of Android 17 QPR1 comes with some unexpected status bar icon changes on Pixel.

Google has confirmed that a “limited” number of Pixel phones were attacked by a vulnerability related to the modem on the device.

The Android 17 QPR1 update with the September 2026 security patch is rolling out today for the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, Tablet, Fold, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a, 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, 10a, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, and 11 Pro Fold.

There are Pixel fixes across Apps, Bluetooth, Camera, Display & Graphics, Framework, System, Telephony, and User Interface.

Google today is rolling out the September 2026 Pixel Drop. This is a smaller update, with Android 17 QPR1 bringing the bulk of new features and changes. That said, recent weeks have seen updates for Pixel Journal, Now Playing, Recorder, Screenshots, and Weather.

Following an extended beta period, Android 17 QPR1 is rolling out to Google Pixel devices with the September 2026 Feature Drop and security patch.

Dbrand is launching a new brand, “MNML,” which is built around offering thinner, subtle cases for popular smartphones including select Google Pixel models.

The Pixel 11 series is out in the hands of plenty of (hopefully) happy users, and for the most part, I can count myself among them. This generation marks a massive shift for the camera in particular, as Google has finally loosened up its HDR-centric grip on processing. Really, the only big downsides with Camera Looks appeared to be how it saved your default look — and, as it turns out, there’s a setting to fix that, too.

We’re still a few days out from the debut of Apple’s first iPhone foldable which, as many have expected for years, will have a crease-less display. According to a new report, Google’s Pixel 12 Pro Fold will be adopting the same technology as Apple’s foldable.