The seven-year spare parts guarantee for Pixel 11 might be ideal for weathering RAMageddon.

      The Pixel 11 series brings numerous new hardware and software features, but one aspect that caught my attention has been present for a few generations.

      Google is maintaining its seven-year spare-parts support with the Pixel 11 series, a policy it first introduced with the Pixel 8 in 2023. This means that components like batteries and displays will remain available well beyond the typical upgrade cycle.

      While this policy might not seem particularly exciting, given the rising prices of smartphones, it is a promise that holds significant importance today.

      I’d gladly replace the battery in five years.

      When I'm spending flagship money on a smartphone today, I want assurance that in four or five years, I can replace the worn-out battery with a new one and continue using the device.

      That’s what makes Google’s commitment so appealing for me. Batteries can degrade, displays can crack, and accidents are inevitable. Seven years of Android updates are great, but they become much less useful if the hardware can’t last that long. Currently, Google offers authentic Pixel replacement parts through its repair partners, which include batteries, and also supplies repair guides for compatible devices.

      RAMageddon makes this even more attractive.

      We also face the uncomfortable reality of purchasing electronics in 2026. The demand for AI has significantly strained memory supplies, leading to increased prices for DRAM and NAND. Samsung, a key DRAM producer, has indicated that the shortage might intensify in 2027 and persist into 2028.

      We are already seeing these rising costs affecting smartphones, PCs, and other electronic devices. The Pixel 11 series itself saw a $100 price increase across all models. There’s little reason to think that acquiring a new flagship every couple of years will become financially easier anytime soon.

      While parts availability does not guarantee affordable repairs, and much can happen in seven years, if I can buy a Pixel 11 series smartphone that I genuinely like, replace its battery midway through its lifespan, and endure a few years of RAMageddon, I find myself increasingly inclined to do just that.

      I have around four years of experience, mostly in gaming, PC hardware, and smartphones. In my spare time, I enjoy…

      WhatsApp will finally allow you to react with the emoji of your choice, but there’s a catch.

      Are you tired of the same six emojis every time? WhatsApp Plus may finally let you select your own.

      Emoji reactions are one of WhatsApp’s most useful features, allowing for quick responses to messages with just a long press and a tap, which is handy when you’re short on time or don’t need to provide an elaborate reply. However, a long-standing issue for WhatsApp users has been the inability to customize the emoji tray, leaving you with only the emojis provided by WhatsApp. That might be set to change with an upcoming update.

      Google’s much-anticipated RGB HiLight on the Pixel 11 Pro left me feeling disappointed.

      Google’s most innovative new hardware might also represent its biggest missed opportunity.

      I have been following rumors regarding Google’s new HiLight feature long before the company officially revealed its name. Recent reports described the feature as Google’s AI interface, which illuminates when users interact with Gemini. Now that the Pixel 11 launch event has concluded, everything is clear, and it turns out one of its two primary functions is simply lighting up when you converse with Gemini. So, after all the speculation and hype, Google’s major reveal is... pretty much what we expected, and I have some strongly held opinions about that.

      Galaxy phones may finally get a straightforward privacy feature that Samsung overlooked.

      One UI 9.5 could introduce an app lock feature without unnecessary complications.

      Samsung offers Galaxy users an impressive level of control over their devices. Features like Good Lock allow users to customize nearly every aspect of their smartphones. However, the company somehow neglected to include a simple fingerprint lock for apps.

      With the One UI 9.5 update, this could finally change. A tipster named Fahad Ali Javed has discovered a native App Lock feature within an unreleased One UI 9.5 build on a Galaxy S26. This would allow you to secure individual apps directly from the app drawer without needing to relocate them first, potentially making it one of the simplest and most useful additions in One UI 9.5.