Unlike iPhones, the Android ecosystem is vast and diverse, with each manufacturer adding its own spin on hardware and software. That flexibility is great, but it also means inconsistency. You might see a clever feature on one Android phone that’s nowhere to be found on another. This is one area where Google’s Pixel line sets itself apart from the rest of the Android phones.
Pixel phones may not dominate global sales, yet they consistently deliver some of the smartest, most practical features you can get on Android. From handy tools like Now Playing and Recorder to game-changing extras like Photo Unblur, Video Boost, and Add Me, these little touches add up to a user experience that feels more thoughtful, useful, and complete.
Now Playing
Your phone becomes a music detective
There are plenty of ways to identify a song—you can type its lyrics, hum the tune into Google Search, or use a music-recognition app. But imagine walking down the street, a catchy melody drifting from somewhere nearby, and your phone quietly tells you the song’s name without you doing anything.
The Now Playing feature on Pixel devices identifies music playing around you on your lock screen. Even if you miss them at that time, you can head to Settings > Sound & vibration > Now Playing > Now Playing history to view all the songs you may have heard. It’s subtle, effortless, and strangely satisfying. Sure, it may not be a big deal for some, but something I genuinely miss every time I switch to another phone.
Pixel Screenshots
Search and organize your screenshots with AI
I don’t know about you, but I rely on screenshots way too much to save important information that I might need later. The problem is digging through the Screenshots folder to find the one you actually need—it can be a total time sink. The Pixel Screenshots app changes that game entirely.
It uses Gemini Nano to analyze every screenshot and lets you search their content with natural language. For example, typing “phone case” will display all screenshots containing a phone case. It can even set reminders based on what’s in an image. It is only available on Pixel 9 and later, and in select countries. Now that I’ve gotten used to it, I miss it dearly on my other phones.
Google Recorder
Real-time transcription and cloud syncing made simple
All Android phones come with a basic voice recorder, but Google Recorder stands out because it offers features most others don’t. It provides real-time transcriptions, automatically labels multiple speakers, and makes it easy to identify who said what. You can export the transcription to other apps or search through it whenever needed.
You can save all your recordings to the cloud and then access them from the Pixel Recorder website anytime. Whether you’re capturing a meeting, a lecture, or just a quick burst of inspiration, Google Recorder turns simple audio into something far more usable.
Video Boost
Turn everyday clips into polished, cinematic videos
If there’s one thing that sets true flagship phones apart from mid-range models and so-called “flagship killers,” it’s the camera. While most other Android phones can capture high-quality video, they can’t process it automatically like Pixels do. Pixel takes it a step further with Video Boost. On the Pixel 8 Pro and later Pro models, you can use Video Boost, which uses Google’s cloud computing power to automatically improve details, brightness, and color without any extra effort.
After you capture a video, it’s uploaded to Google Photos for cloud processing. A few hours later, you get a polished, higher-quality version of the same clip. Your phone essentially acts as a mini post-production and turns ordinary recordings into something that feels cinematic.
Photo Unblur
Rescue those almost-ruined shots with AI magic
Blurry photos are every phone photographer’s nightmare, and Pixel’s Photo Unblur tackles this problem in a way most phones can’t. It can use AI to make any slightly blurred image look sharp by restoring details. It’s available on Pixel 7 and later models and is surprisingly easy to use.
The best part is Photo Unblur isn’t limited to the photos you take yourself. You can use it on images from other devices or even pictures downloaded from the internet. While many Android phones now boast AI-powered camera features, this is one that actually delivers something genuinely useful. It turns those “almost ruined” shots into memories you can proudly share.
Add Me and Best Take
No more missing faces or awkward blinks
Pixel phones have always stood out for their exceptional camera processing. In recent years, Google has added a few clever features you won’t find on other smartphones, and Add Me is one of those subtle gems. When taking group photos, it ensures everyone gets included. You can quickly add yourself to a shot even after the photo is taken, saving those awkward “wait, can you take a picture of us?” moments.
Best Take takes group shots even further. When you snap a photo, Pixel captures a short sequence of frames and suggests the one where everyone looks their best. If someone blinked or made a funny face, you can easily swap in a better frame, even after the photo is taken. Together, these features make group photography effortless and ensure your shots always look picture-perfect without any stress.
Battery Health Indicator
Know your battery’s condition
Smartphones live and die by their batteries, yet unlike iPhones, most Android phones still make it frustratingly difficult to know how healthy yours really is. Sure, you can turn to third-party apps for an estimate, but it’s never as convenient or reliable.
Google finally addressed this with the Battery Health Indicator, introduced with Android 16 on the Pixel 8a and newer models. It gives you a clear picture of your battery’s condition right in the system settings, so you know how much life it has left.
Even better, Google added Battery Health Assistance, which actively helps manage long-term performance. It adjusts the battery’s maximum voltage in stages to stabilize performance and slows down aging. Given how much battery life matters to smartphone users, every Android phone should implement this feature.
Google Assistant voice typing
Faster, smarter dictation
Typing on a phone has gotten easier over the years, but nothing beats just speaking your thoughts out loud. Pixel takes this idea further with Google Assistant Voice Typing, which feels faster and smarter than standard dictation. Unlike most voice-to-text systems on other phones, it processes commands on-device, so you don’t run into that frustrating lag where your words take forever to appear. The accuracy is impressive, too, which makes it ideal for everything from long messages to quick replies.
What makes it really shine are the built-in voice commands. You can say things like “undo,” “clear all,” “send,” or even “next” to jump to the following text field. It’s intuitive, responsive, and makes typing without your fingers less annoying.
Depending on how you use your phone, you may not find every feature above essential. And while it’s possible to bring some of these Pixel-exclusive features to other devices, the experience isn’t as seamless. These features may not always make the headline but they quietly solve everyday problems for most users. If more Android phones adopted these ideas, the entire ecosystem would feel noticeably more polished.
