Google has officially rolled out the November 2025 Pixel Feature Drop, unlocking a suite of anticipated updates for Pixel users, including the long-awaited AI Notification Summaries and global Call Recording capabilities. This update comes alongside a troubling development, as many users continue to experience significant issues with the speakerphone functionality on multiple Pixel models.
Unlocking New Features with the Google Play System Update
The key to accessing the new features lies in the latest Google Play System update. Users are encouraged to install this update, which has been reported to vary in size—approximately 92MB for the Pixel 9 and just 196KB for the Pixel 6 Pro. Despite the size differences, it is crucial for all Pixel users to verify and install this update to gain access to the enhancements promised in the November Feature Drop.
The AI Notification Summaries feature is now live for those who have completed the update. Utilizing the Gemini Nano technology for on-device processing, this feature can summarize lengthy messages and group conversations. Google assures users that their messages remain private and are “never sent to Google.” To activate this feature, users should navigate to Settings > Notifications and toggle the “Notification summaries” option, which is off by default.
Currently, the feature supports only English and excludes short messages, multilingual texts, or messages comprising solely emoji. Additionally, users must ensure their device’s screen is off and that Battery Saver is disabled for summaries to generate correctly. Compatible devices include the flagship Pixel 9 series and the upcoming Pixel 10 lineup.
Global Rollout of Call Recording Feature
In other developments, Google is expanding its Call Recording feature globally, a functionality first announced in September. This feature is now available for devices from the Pixel 6 series and above, running Android 14 and later. Users can find the Call Recording option under the Call Assist section in the Phone app settings. Unlike the newly introduced AI-powered Call Notes feature, which is limited to specific countries, the Call Recording feature is now accessible worldwide.
Setting up the Call Recording feature involves downloading audio files, with a prompt appearing during the first call to finalize the setup. A brief countdown indicates recording has begun, with a notification displayed for all parties involved. Recordings are saved locally and can be managed through the settings, where users can choose to have recordings automatically deleted after 7, 14, or 30 days.
Widespread Speakerphone Issues Persist
Amid the rollout of these new features, a significant issue affecting many Pixel users has been identified: a lagging or unresponsive speakerphone toggle. Initially reported by Pixel 9 users, the problem has since been confirmed by a survey conducted by Android Authority, revealing that 73% of respondents are encountering difficulties with the speakerphone feature across various Pixel models.
The survey indicates that users often have to press the speakerphone button multiple times or wait several seconds for it to respond. Some users have found temporary workarounds, such as adjusting the volume button post-toggle, but the widespread nature of the issue remains a significant concern. As complaints continue to arise, it is evident that Google must address this software problem to enhance the user experience.
Overall, while the November 2025 Pixel Feature Drop brings exciting new capabilities to users, the concurrent issues with the speakerphone functionality highlight the need for ongoing improvements in software reliability. As Google continues to roll out updates, users remain hopeful for swift resolutions to these challenges.
