5 Android 16 UI modifications that are not being talked about sufficient

For the previous few years, Android has began to really feel a bit too acquainted. In earlier variations, every main Android launch introduced a visibly totally different design, however lately, Google’s design language has stabilized, and new variations have not felt all that new, even with a leap in model numbers.

That is beginning to change with Android 16. Nicely, not instantly. Every week earlier than Google I/O 2025, Google hosted its pre-I/O Android Speak Present, the place it unveiled its new design language, referred to as Materials 3 Expressive. It is a daring shift for Google, introducing a lot bolder UI components than the minimalist fashion we have grown used to on Pixel telephones.

And proper after Google I/O 2025, the corporate launched the primary Android 16 QPR1 beta, which is the primary main replace to Android 16 and contains these Material 3 Expressive UI modifications. I put in the Android 16 QPR1 beta on my Pixel 9, and listed here are the 5 huge visible modifications coming to Android telephones later this yr.

5

Fast Settings and notifications get a brand new look

Say hiya to a brand new frosty blur design

Essentially the most noticeable user-facing change in Android 16 is the revamped Fast Settings and notification panel. For years, Google used a stable background design, however that is now changed with a blurred, translucent look. The toggles are bolder, and when Dynamic Theming is enabled, they’re color-coded too.

The earlier design was clear and easy, but additionally a bit bland. Now, the brand new panel feels much more customizable. You should utilize each giant and small tiles for the Fast Settings toggles, combine and match them freely, and place them nevertheless you need — one thing that actually feels a bit impressed by iOS 18.

The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggles now help single-tap actions: faucet the circled icon to toggle, or faucet the remainder of the tile to open the acquainted settings dialog. Simply above these toggles, the brightness slider has modified too — it is now extra of a sharp-edged rectangle, and features a draggable line, which feels a bit awkward within the general design.

Notifications have not seen a lot change, however swiping now feels smoother and extra intuitive. There’s additionally a outstanding “Clear All” button on the backside to dismiss the whole lot. Total, I like the brand new Fast Settings customizability, however the blur impact feels a bit an excessive amount of. Even after hours of use, it feels extra compelled than pure — maybe Google’s making an attempt to convey the Pixel UI nearer to Samsung’s One UI 7?

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4

The quantity panel is now daring and extra polished

Greater buttons and higher structure throughout

The identical daring design theme carries over to the amount panel as effectively. A single faucet opens the facet panel, which now incorporates a new icon and a vertical quantity slider much like the brand new brightness slider, full with a outstanding draggable line.

Tapping the three-dot menu reveals the acquainted full-volume controls. The up to date panel options barely slimmer bars for media, name, ring, and notification volumes. Functionally, it is not a significant shift from earlier than, however the Materials 3 Expressive design language is clearly current right here too.

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3

Standing bar icons are lastly getting a refresh

The vertical battery icon is gone, and extra tweaks are coming

For years, Android has used the identical stable standing bar icons, however that is altering in Android 16. The brand new Wi-Fi icon is now damaged into segments, much like iOS and One UI, to replicate sign energy higher. The identical applies to the mobile sign icon.

The battery icon has additionally acquired a major redesign. As a substitute of the vertical bar with proportion exterior, Android 16 now makes use of a horizontal battery icon with the share displayed inside, very similar to newer iOS variations. It turns inexperienced whereas charging and crimson when beneath 20%.

I like the brand new battery icon, however it will’ve been good if Google gave customers the choice to revert to the previous icon set, particularly contemplating Android’s identified customization flexibility.

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2

Wallpaper and elegance choices get a giant replace

Lock display screen and residential display screen get new instruments

A serious change in Android 16 is coming to residence display screen and lock display screen customization. Proper from the primary boot, you will now discover an additional row accessible to position an icon or widget. By default, Android 16 makes use of the “medium” icon structure, which is actually a 4×5 grid.

Past that, the Wallpaper & Fashion menu has acquired an entire overhaul. The preview is now a lot bigger, supplying you with a clearer thought of the modifications you make. Colour themes, which have been beforehand positioned just under the preview, have been moved additional down, whereas the wallpaper part now seems on the prime with giant, daring previews, making it extra apparent methods to change them.

You may also now change the form and dimension of icons, although solely the circle choice is accessible in the mean time. The total characteristic to change icon shapes hasn’t gone stay but.

On the lock display screen facet, the core performance is generally the identical, however the UI has been streamlined. Now you can choose a clock fashion, coloration, and dimension from a single display screen, as a substitute of toggling between screens like earlier than. There’s additionally extra granular management over the clock dimension.

As for the Pixel Launcher, not a lot has modified. The At a Look widget is barely smaller, and the blurred background design now seems within the app drawer as effectively. Dwelling display screen settings have in any other case remained the identical.

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1

Settings app provides coloration however retains the structure

Similar structure, however a bit extra visible aptitude

Pocket-lint / Google

Lastly, the Settings app has additionally acquired a small design replace. Whereas the general structure and categorization stay the identical, the icons for sections like Community & web, Linked units, Apps, and extra now characteristic colourful new icons. Apparently, these colours do not but adapt to the system’s coloration theme, however Google could add that in future updates.

On the entire, Android 16 marks a major shift from the minimal, bland design language we have seen lately. I am nonetheless not fully offered on the brand new design but, however as soon as Google apps — and finally different main Android apps — undertake the brand new fashion, the system would possibly begin to really feel way more cohesive and pure.

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