Like Google's Pixel Glow idea? Try Edge Lighting on your Galaxy phone

Several recent leaks suggest that Google's upcoming hardware, including new Pixel phones and laptops, could introduce a lighting system on the back panel that reacts to notifications, alerting users to important activity.

Exactly how Google may implement this so-called Pixel Glow technology remains unclear, but the idea of using extra lights for notifications — especially to alert users when their phone is face down — isn't new.

Samsung experimented with a similar concept years ago during the curved Edge screen era. Although Edge displays are gone, the feature still exists in One UI on modern Galaxy phones with flat screens.

Edge Lighting is disabled by default in One UI. So if you've seen the effect on other Galaxy phones and wondered why it's missing on yours, it's because you haven't enabled it. To turn it on:

You can choose different Edge Lighting effects and colors, and under the Advanced tab, you can adjust transparency, width, and duration.

Originally, these effects were designed for Edge screens. Their curved sides allowed the light to wrap around the phone's edges and glow visibly even when the device was face down. It made the feature genuinely useful. Then again, many users avoid placing phones face down anyway to prevent scratches.

Nowadays, with Edge displays gone, Edge Lighting is mostly an aesthetic feature in One UI, but it still adds a bit of personality to Galaxy phones. Make sure to try it out if you're looking for more customization options.