Even before the Google I/O 2025 Keynote wrapped up, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could download the Android 16 QPR1 Beta, well ahead of the stable Android 16 release. Typically, there’s a noticeable delay between the event’s conclusion and when the servers go live, but this time, the process was seamless, even if the download took a bit longer than expected.
While the announcement of Material 3 Expressive during The Android Show piqued my interest, I initially felt indifferent, anticipating only minor tweaks to the user interface. However, upon diving into the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1, I was struck by how different it felt from the Android 16 Beta 4.1 build I had been using. The font change, in particular, caught my eye; it’s visually appealing and harmonizes beautifully with the overall interface.
Customization takes center stage, beginning with the revamped Wallpaper & Style settings. This interface has undergone a much-needed makeover, and Google has executed it flawlessly.
However, it quickly became apparent that I was navigating beta software, as I encountered a few bugs. One issue involved missing Home Screen layout options; I was limited to “Small” or “Medium,” with “Large” and “XL” conspicuously absent. Another glitch arose when selecting a wallpaper from a Google Photos album. After several attempts to preview and backtrack, I found myself merging the Photo Picker and “Wallpaper” screens, ultimately opting to set the wallpaper directly through the Photos app.
No Desktop Mode (yet), but there’s something else
Curious about the availability of Desktop Mode, I ventured into the Settings app, only to be greeted by colorful icons accompanying each primary settings page. While this was a pleasant surprise, my hopes for Desktop Mode were dashed upon checking the Developer Options. Connecting my Pixel 9 Pro Fold to an external monitor yielded only the option to mirror the screen, mirroring the behavior of previous Android builds.
Despite this disappointment, I stumbled upon a delightful new feature in the app switcher. Each app now displays its label in the top left corner of the preview window, and tapping on it reveals a drop-down context menu. This menu offers options such as split-screen mode, screenshot functionality, and the ability to copy, share, save, or look up text and objects using Google Lens. This unexpected addition was a welcome surprise.
More surprises
As I continued to explore the menus, I inadvertently activated Gemini, which introduced two new buttons above the Gemini bar: “Share screen with Live” and “Ask about screen.” Granting access to either “Share entire screen” or “Share one app” opens a menu at the top of the screen resembling a phone call interface. From there, users can ask questions, and Gemini will provide assistance.
Additionally, the Quick Tiles in the Notification Shade have received an update. Notably, they are now resizable, allowing for four toggles in a row instead of just two, a feature that has garnered excitement from Android Central’s managing editor, Derrek Lee. However, attempts to adjust a single toggle to span an entire row were unsuccessful, leaving room for future enhancements in subsequent beta updates.
Unexpected feelings
Typically, when a company unveils a new software version, my focus is primarily on feature additions or changes. However, my experience at I/O 2025 has shifted my perspective. I find myself appreciating Google’s design choices, particularly their emphasis on personalizing devices. There’s an undeniable intimacy in how we interact with our phones, and it’s gratifying to see Android 16 embrace this ethos with Material 3 Expressive. Now, I can only hope that the much-anticipated Desktop Mode will arrive sooner rather than later.
