Google Pixel Drop: Pixel VIPs, Android 16, Custom Gboard Stickers

Google on Tuesday kick-started the Android 16 stable rollout for Pixel devices. Alongside the big Android release, the June Pixel Drop rolls out a slew of new exclusive features for Pixel phones.

If you own a Pixel 6 or newer phone, you can upgrade your phone or tablet to the June Pixel Feature Drop. Needless to say, some features are exclusive to the Pixel 8 and 9 series.

New Pixel Drop Features for June 2025

Pixel VIPs – To Keep Your Loved Ones Closer

Pixel VIPs receive a new feature that helps you keep your loved ones even closer. You can now add the Pixel VIPs widget to your home screen. The widget will show the information of your closest family and friends regarding birthdays, anniversaries, real-time locations, and a way to jot down memos for them. Additionally, the widget will show details of their last call and messages, including those from WhatsApp.

Custom Stickers in Gboard

Gboard is getting better with every feature drop. With the power of Pixel Studio and Generative AI, Gboard can now create a customized sticker for you. You just need to enter a prompt and watch the magic happen; it works in a similar way to the Pixel Studio. The feature is exclusive to Pixel 9 and newer phones.

AI-Powered Editing Coming to Google Photos

Google Photos will soon get even better, thanks to the addition of AI-powered editing tools. The feature is coming to all Android phones. Google Photos is getting a redesigned editor along with AI editing features. Tapping a photo will show you tips to improve your photos with things like adding focus blur, removing objects, portrait lighting, or AI enhance.

Expanded availability of Favorite Features to Older Models

Google is saying, they are extending the Satellite SOS feature’s availability to Australia. The Pixel Recorder app can now provide AI-generated summaries in French and German. If you own a Pixel 8 series device, you can now use the Clear voice feature in the Recorder app.

Improve Your Photography Skills

With the June feature drop, Google adds a new “?” icon to the Pixel Camera app. You can tap the icon to get a visual representation of what a feature might do. For example, if you’re unfamiliar with Astrophotography, the app will display sample images captured using the feature.

Improved Accessibility Features

If you love using Google Lens, you’ll be glad to know that a similar functionality is now comes in the Magnifier app in Pixel phones. You can use the Magnifier app to learn more about your surroundings.

Thanks to the new feature drop, you can now use the new LE audio features with hearing aids on Pixel 9 and newer models running Android 16.

Expressive Captions, an upgraded version of Live Captions, the feature is designed to understand the intensity, nuance and emotion conveyed through speech. The feature is available in the US, Canada, the U.K., and Australia.

Express Transit for Pixel Watch

You can now tap and pay without opening the Google Wallet app and with your screen off using your Pixel Watch. To use this feature, you need to make sure that your Pixel Watch is running on WearOS 5.1 or newer.

Availability

The June Pixel Feature Drop begins rolling out today and will be available to everyone over the next few weeks.

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Google Pixel Feature Drop: Pixel VIPs, Android 16, Custom Gboard Stickers, and More