Everything New in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1
The Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 update represents a key change in the way Android is used by users. The first major release update is now available to beta testers sign up in the Android Beta Program.
It provides plenty of improvements to how it looks and how it works. This beta helps Pixel users around the digital globe experience what Android’s future looks and feels like.
What is Material 3 Expressive
It’s not only about changing out some parts. There’s a significant change to how Android appears and feels. Emphasis here is given to fast adaptation, distinct appearance, and helpful reaction from games.
The new system from Material 3 Expressive makes animations smoother and bouncier. When moving around icons, you will experience gentle shuddering. This ensures that every conversation feels more interesting.
Blur effects have been added to the panel for quick settings and the notification pane. This results in a design that gives surface and charm. Such visual effects are also repeated throughout other areas of the system.
Coloring of the notification cards is now tied to your system theme. It blends them better with the rest of your system. New color options make the themes more colorful.
You’ll now find that directly under the battery, it shows how much % power is remaining. Compared to other symbols, Wi-Fi is easier to spot and mobile data bars look much simpler now too.
Improvements to the Core System and App
In addition to the big Material 3 changes, Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 includes improvements in both the system:
There’s a new half-sized circle style that takes up less room, helping to improve productivity. The system also has a small, flashing visual on the bottom to indicate which tiles within a group are unlabeled. You can now turn on and off the internet and Bluetooth with just one tap.
You can spot groups of related settings in the new Settings app by their clusters of colorful icons. Giving each category its section and making the buttons easy to see helps make it simpler to navigate the interface.
Users of the Wallpaper & Style App can now swipe to change their lock screen or home screen much more easily. All settings for the lock screen clock have been moved to a new "Clock" area.
Magic Portrait adds a new option to Wallpaper & Style, enabling you to pick out one area of your wallpaper photo. You are allowed to tweak the shape, color, and saturation of the picture frame.
When to Visit and What Is Reproduced
We should keep in mind that this is still a test version. Even though it looks stable, it’s possible that very small issues can still be found. Not every feature shown here during the beta will be included in the official launch version later in the year.
Regardless, the highlight of this release is how Google aims to make Android more attractive, simple to use, and expressive. Feedback from users is welcome through the Android Beta Feedback app to help improve the final release.
Final Thought
Google is prioritizing making Android more interesting and visually organized by improving animations and updating its system parts.
Since it is in beta, the features you see now offer an impressive look at the software’s future. Users of Pixel testing and improving these features help Android move toward a simpler and more pleasant experience for everyone.
