Google's Japan unit has announced the preorder schedule for its Pixel 11 smartphone series, and prospective users are focusing on a new rear LED feature called "Highlight".

IT outlet ITmedia reported on Aug. 4 local time that Google said on its official X account it will hold a product launch event, "Made by Google", at 7 a.m. on Aug. 13. The event will be livestreamed in English from New York, and Google will begin taking preorders from 11 p.m. the previous day.

Google posted two notices. In the first post, a product silhouette appeared alongside the phrase, "If you choose the next one, this is the one. Google Pixel 11 Pro." In another post, part of a device was shown with the phrase, "Would you like to unlock the possibilities of Google Pixel Fold?"

What is drawing particular attention in the new lineup is that the new rear LED feature on the Pixel 11 series appears to be called "Highlight". IT outlet ArsTechnica reported on Aug. 4 that the feature is expected to be used to signal calls from specific contacts or interactions with Gemini without looking at the screen.

According to an image posted on Bluesky by Roland Quandt (롤란트 콴트), the camera bump on the Pixel 11 Pro Fold is smaller than on the previous Pixel Fold. A separate flash area that had been on the right is also not visible. That is why it is presumed that Highlight also serves as a flash.

French text in the leaked image says that when the phone is placed face down, Highlight softly turns on when a favourite contact calls or when a user talks with Gemini, recalling the notification LED on past Android phones. It is not yet confirmed whether it also supports messages or other app notifications, it has been reported.

Amid various speculation and expectations, Google is expected to reveal at the new product event how it will explain the Highlight feature.