5 exclusive Pixel features that can be used on older and cheaper phones.

If you own an older Google Pixel phone, or a recent A-series model, you don't have to sit out anymore. Many of Google Pixel's exclusive features are available on older devices like the Pixel 2. This article has compiled some favorite features, and most of the Pixel exclusives listed below work on the Pixel 3 and later. Let's revisit some of the iconic Pixel exclusives you may have forgotten!

 

Top Shot

Let Pixel choose the best photo.

 

Before Camera Coach, Auto Best Take, or Add Me existed, there was Top Shot. This is one of the Pixel camera features that started it all, making Google phones the top choice for smart photography tools. Top Shot works by taking a series of photos simultaneously and automatically selecting the best one. This feature studies the frames captured before and after you press the shutter button. That's right – Top Shot turns back time, saving the frames that occurred before you pressed the shutter button.

Astrophotography

Capture stunning photos of the night sky with an older Pixel phone.

 

Starting with the Google Pixel 3, Pixel phones can take dedicated night sky photos using the built-in Astrophotography mode.

The Astrophotography mode on Pixel phones works by taking 16 photos, each lasting 16 seconds, when you press the shutter button. After taking the photos, your phone will stitch them together using software. This simulates the long exposure techniques that professional photographers use for astrophotography. You can try it yourself by opening the Camera app and navigating to Night Sight → Controls → Astro → Shutter . After pressing the shutter button, a 5-second timer will start before the astrophotography process begins.

Car collision detected.

Hopefully you'll never need it, but it's always here to help you.

Google Pixel phones offer the Personal Safety app with many useful tools for emergencies. Car crash detection is one feature you'll hopefully never need, but it can become a crucial Pixel tool in dangerous situations. To get started, open the Personal Safety app on your Pixel and sign in with your Google account. Enter your personal information and set up emergency contacts.

 

Next, navigate to Settings → Safety & emergency → Car crash detection and toggle the switch next to the feature to activate it. The feature will run in the background to determine if you've been involved in a serious car crash.

Now playing

Instantly identify and save songs currently playing in your surroundings.

A classic Pixel feature is Now Playing, first introduced on the Google Pixel 2. Every model since then has supported this music recognition tool, making it the most compatible exclusive Pixel feature mentioned. When enabled, Now Playing downloads your music library to your device to compare songs. It doesn't use the internet for recognition unless you enable the Enhance Now Playing option in the Settings app. Otherwise, your Pixel will attempt to recognize tracks securely and privately using only the device's processor.

Hold for Me

Wasting time waiting at the machine is a thing of the past decade.

"Hold for Me" is another great exclusive Pixel feature, available on Google Pixel 3 and later. This feature leverages Call Assist, allowing the virtual assistant to wait on your call. When your waiting time ends and a real person is available to speak with you, your Pixel phone will notify you that it's time to return to the call. After enabling "Hold for Me" in the Settings app, you'll see the Hold for Me → Start process appear when you're on hold.