The seven-year spare parts guarantee of the Pixel 11 might be ideal for navigating RAMageddon.

      Pixel 11 continues Google’s seven-year spare-parts support as phone prices rise

      The Pixel 11 series features numerous new hardware and software advancements, but one aspect that stood out to me has been around for several generations.

      Google is maintaining its seven-year spare-parts guarantee with the Pixel 11 series, a policy it first introduced with the Pixel 8 in 2023. This means that replacements for batteries, displays, and other components should remain accessible long after the typical upgrade cycle has ended.

      While this policy may not seem particularly exciting, given the direction in which smartphone prices are moving, the commitment holds much more significance today.

      I would gladly replace the battery in five years

      If I’m investing flagship prices in a phone today, I want assurance that four or five years from now I can swap its worn-out battery for a new one and keep it functioning.

      This is what makes Google’s promise so attractive to me. Batteries wear out, displays can break, and accidents occur. Seven years of Android updates are beneficial, but they lose their value if the hardware cannot last that long. Google currently provides genuine Pixel replacement components, including batteries, through its repair partners and offers repair instructions for supported devices.

      RAMageddon makes this even more appealing

      Additionally, there's the challenging reality of purchasing electronics in 2026. The demand for AI has significantly pressured memory supplies, driving up prices for DRAM and NAND. Samsung, a leading DRAM manufacturer, has indicated that the shortage could worsen in 2027 and persist into 2028.

      We’re already witnessing these price increases affecting smartphones, PCs, and various other electronics. The Pixel 11 series prices have increased by $100 across all tiers. It’s unlikely that purchasing a new flagship phone every couple of years will become more affordable anytime soon.

      While parts availability doesn’t guarantee inexpensive repairs, and much can change within seven years, the possibility of buying a Pixel 11 series smartphone that I genuinely enjoy, replacing its battery midway through its lifespan, and enduring a few years of RAMageddon is increasingly appealing to me.

      I’ve got about four years of experience mostly in gaming, PC hardware, and smartphones. In my spare time, I enjoy…

      WhatsApp will finally let you react with the emoji you actually want, but there’s a catch

      Are you tired of the same six emojis every time? WhatsApp Plus might finally allow you to choose your own.

      Emoji reactions are one of WhatsApp's best features, enabling quick responses to messages with just a long press and a tap, which is particularly useful when you’re in a hurry or don’t feel like crafting an elaborate reply. However, one issue WhatsApp users have consistently faced is the lack of a customizable emoji tray, leaving them with only the emojis available in WhatsApp. That could change with an upcoming update.

      Google’s hyped-up RGB HiLight on the Pixel 11 Pro had me excited for nothing

      Google’s most clever new hardware may also represent its biggest missed opportunity.

      I’ve been tracking rumors about Google’s new HiLight feature long before the company announced it. A few weeks ago, it was reported that the feature would serve as Google’s AI interface, glowing when users interact with Gemini. Following the Pixel 11 launch event, the details are out, and one of the only two functions it performs is illuminating when you speak to Gemini. After all the speculation and anticipation, Google’s significant reveal is essentially what we expected, and I have strong feelings about that.

      Galaxy phones may finally get a basic privacy feature that Samsung overlooked

      One UI 9.5 could allow users to lock an app without any hassle.

      Samsung offers Galaxy owners an impressive level of control over their devices. Features like Good Lock enable users to customize nearly every aspect of their smartphones. Yet, the company somehow overlooked the fairly straightforward addition of a fingerprint lock for apps. The upcoming One UI 9.5 update may finally address this gap. Tipster Fahad Ali Javed has discovered a native App Lock feature in an unreleased One UI 9.5 build running on a Galaxy S26, allowing users to secure individual apps directly from the app drawer without needing to relocate them first. This could be one of the simplest and most useful enhancements in One UI 9.5.