What you need to know
Today marks an exciting development for Pixel users as Google begins the rollout of Android 16’s first Beta, featuring the innovative Material 3 Expressive design. This update is part of the Quarterly Platform Releases (QPRs), which are designed to enhance user experience with new platform features, bug fixes, and essential security patches.
- The Beta is available to enrolled users of the Pixel 6 series and newer devices, including Pixel tablets, who will receive an over-the-air (OTA) update.
- This particular update, known as Android 16 QPR1 (BP31.250502.008), allows users to preview upcoming features before the official stable version is launched later this year.
The highlight of this update is the introduction of the Material 3 Expressive UI, which represents a significant evolution of Material Design 3. This new interface aims to create a more vibrant and emotionally engaging experience for users. It emphasizes five key elements: color, shape, size, motion, and containment, all designed to draw attention to the most relevant icons on your device.
Among the notable features included are Gemini’s latest live notifications and enhanced screen recording capabilities. Additionally, users will notice a colorful redesign of the Settings app, where icons are grouped by color—red for sound settings, blue for network icons, coral for display settings, and more, creating a visually appealing and organized interface.
In addition to these exciting features, the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 also addresses various bug fixes and performance optimizations, along with the inclusion of August 2025 security patches, as outlined in Google’s release notes. For those who have previously enrolled in the Android 16 Beta and have not opted out, this update will be automatically applied, ensuring a seamless transition to the latest Beta versions.
