Why Google’s Pixel 10 Needs to Revive Its Most Beloved Feature to Outshine the iPhone 17
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The Pixel’s Missing Magic
What Made Google’s Early Phones Stand Out
Google’s Pixel phones have always been a blend of cutting-edge software and understated hardware, but there’s one feature that fans still mourn: the squeeze gesture. Introduced with the Pixel 2 in 2017, 'Active Edge' let users squeeze the sides of their phone to trigger Google Assistant or silence alarms. It was intuitive, tactile, and uniquely Pixel. By the Pixel 5, it was gone—a casualty of cost-cutting and design changes. But with the Pixel 10 looming and the iPhone 17 on the horizon, bringing it back could be Google’s secret weapon.
Why? Because Apple’s iPhones have long dominated with their seamless integration of hardware and software. Google’s squeeze feature was a rare example of the company matching that synergy. It wasn’t just a gimmick; it was a genuinely useful tool that made the phone feel alive. In a market where differentiation is everything, reviving this could give the Pixel 10 an edge.
The iPhone 17 Challenge
What Google Is Up Against
Apple’s iPhone 17 is expected to push boundaries with its rumored under-display Face ID and a new titanium frame. But more than hardware, it’s the little things—like the Dynamic Island or the tactile feedback of the Taptic Engine—that make iPhones feel premium. Google’s Pixel line has often struggled to match that 'it just works' polish, despite its superior AI and camera smarts.
The squeeze gesture was one of those small-but-significant features that added personality. It wasn’t just functional; it was fun. And fun is something Android phones, even Pixels, often lack compared to iPhones. If Google wants to compete, it needs more than raw specs—it needs character. The squeeze feature was a hallmark of that.
Why Active Edge Mattered
The Psychology of Tactile Interaction
There’s a reason people loved the squeeze gesture: it tapped into something deeper than convenience. Physical interactions with devices create a sense of connection. Think of the satisfying click of a camera shutter or the vibration of a game controller. Active Edge offered that same tactile feedback, making the phone feel more responsive and human.
Studies in human-computer interaction have shown that physical gestures reduce cognitive load compared to touchscreen commands. Squeezing your phone to silence an alarm is faster and more instinctive than swiping or tapping. For Google, which prides itself on AI-driven simplicity, dropping this feature was a step backward.
The Technical Hurdles
Why Google Might Be Hesitant
Reviving Active Edge isn’t as simple as flipping a switch. The original implementation required pressure-sensitive sensors along the phone’s frame, adding cost and complexity. Modern Pixels have thinner bezels and larger batteries, leaving less room for such components. There’s also the question of durability—would it survive drops or water exposure?
But none of these challenges are insurmountable. Ultrasonic sensors, like those used in fingerprint readers, could replace the bulkier hardware of the past. And with Google’s focus on repairability, a modular design could make the feature easier to maintain. The bigger question is whether Google sees it as a priority.
The Competition’s Moves
How Other Brands Are Innovating
While Google ditched Active Edge, other manufacturers have explored similar ideas. Samsung’s Bixby button (though controversial) showed that dedicated hardware triggers have appeal. OnePlus’s Alert Slider is another example—a physical switch that users adore. Even Apple’s Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro proves there’s demand for quick-access controls.
Google’s advantage was that Active Edge felt organic, not like an afterthought. If the Pixel 10 can reintroduce it without compromising design, it could leapfrog these half-baked alternatives. But timing is critical. With the iPhone 17 likely to refine its own shortcuts, Google can’t afford to lag.
User Demand and Nostalgia
The Fan Campaigns You Haven’t Heard About
A quick scroll through Reddit or X (formerly Twitter) reveals a vocal minority of Pixel fans who still beg for Active Edge’s return. Petitions and forum threads pop up regularly, often met with silence from Google. This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a testament to how beloved the feature was.
For a company that’s struggled to build a loyal hardware audience, ignoring such clear feedback is puzzling. Apple thrives on giving users what they didn’t know they wanted, but Google has the chance to give them what they’ve explicitly asked for. In a crowded market, that kind of goodwill is priceless.
The Privacy Angle
A Feature That Didn’t Spy on You
Unlike voice assistants that listen constantly or cameras that scan your face, Active Edge was refreshingly low-tech. It didn’t collect data or require cloud processing—just a simple, local gesture. In an era where privacy concerns dominate tech headlines, that’s a selling point Google hasn’t leveraged enough.
The Pixel line already markets itself as the ‘clean Android’ choice. Adding back a privacy-friendly feature like Active Edge would reinforce that message. It’s a subtle dig at Apple’s sometimes-overbearing ecosystem, and a nod to users who want control without complexity.
What Google Should Do Next
A Blueprint for the Pixel 10
If Google is serious about taking on the iPhone 17, it needs to play to its strengths. That means doubling down on AI (like the rumored ‘Pixie’ assistant) but also reviving the human touches that made early Pixels special. Active Edge should return, but refined—perhaps with customizable shortcuts or haptic feedback that rivals Apple’s Taptic Engine.
The Pixel 10’s success won’t hinge on this one feature, but it could be the difference between ‘just another Android phone’ and something truly memorable. As techradar.com noted on August 17, 2025, beating Apple requires more than specs—it requires soul. And for a brief moment, the squeeze gesture gave the Pixel exactly that.
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