Google Pixel 9 series may introduce adaptive touch feature to improve touch sensitivity: Report

Google is rumored to be working on an adaptive touch feature for Pixel phones, and its reference was allegedly spotted in Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 last month. This advanced feature will make the screen adjust its touch sensitivity based on environmental conditions and user activities. Now, a new report claims that the adaptive touch mode will be available in the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro models. Google already implemented a screen protector detector feature in the Pixel 8 series last year.

Android Authority reports that the latest Android 14 QPR3 Beta 2 update includes code that links this adaptive touch feature to the flagship Pixel lineup for 2024. The update reportedly labels “adaptive touch” as a “P24” feature. Following the patterns of Google’s previous releases, the shorthand “P2X” internally refers to their Pixel phones of a particular year.

Based on this, the report claims that the adaptive touch feature will debut on the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro smartphones from 2024. Google may also bring the feature to previously released Pixel models at a later stage, possibly as part of Pixel feature drop out.

Evidence of adaptive touch was first spotted in the Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1 release last month. This feature can allow the phone to automatically adjust the touch screen sensitivity of the Pixel smartphone based on the user’s environmental conditions such as rain or cold, screen protector and activities such as swimming. Once this feature goes live, a responsive touch switch is expected to be added to the Settings app under Display > Touch sensitivity.

As mentioned, Google has already added a screen protector detector to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro to increase touch input and touch sensitivity. This functionality alerts users when the screen protector is on or off, reminding them to enable or disable screen protector mode accordingly.