5 Android 16 UI changes that aren’t being talked about enough

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 completely different design, however lately, Google’s design language has stabilized, and new variations have not felt all that new, even with a bounce in model numbers.

That is beginning to change with Android 16. Nicely, not instantly. Per 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. This can be a daring shift for Google, introducing a lot bolder UI parts than the minimalist model 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 adjustments. I put in the Android 16 QPR1 beta on my Pixel 9, and listed below are the 5 huge visible adjustments coming to Android telephones later this 12 months.

5

Fast Settings and notifications get a brand new look

Say hiya to a brand new frosty blur design

Probably the most noticeable user-facing change in Android 16 is the revamped Fast Settings and notification panel. For years, Google used a strong 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 way more customizable. You should use each massive and small tiles for the Fast Settings toggles, combine and match them freely, and place them nonetheless you need — one thing that truthfully feels a bit impressed by iOS 18.

The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth toggles now assist 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 distinguished “Clear All” button on the backside to dismiss every little thing. Total, I really 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

Larger buttons and higher structure throughout

The identical daring design theme carries over to the quantity panel as effectively. A single faucet opens the facet panel, which now encompasses a new icon and a vertical quantity slider just like the brand new brightness slider, full with a distinguished 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 isn’t 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 strong standing bar icons, however that is altering in Android 16. The brand new Wi-Fi icon is now damaged into segments, just like iOS and One UI, to mirror sign power higher. The identical applies to the mobile sign icon.

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

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

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2

Wallpaper and magnificence choices get a giant replace

Lock display screen and residential display screen get new instruments

A significant 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 out there 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 & Model menu has acquired an entire overhaul. The preview is now a lot bigger, supplying you with a clearer concept of the adjustments 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 massive, daring previews, making it extra apparent the way to change them.

You can even now change the form and measurement of icons, although solely the circle choice is offered in the intervening time. The total function to change icon shapes hasn’t gone dwell 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 model, coloration, and measurement from a single display screen, as a substitute of toggling between screens like earlier than. There’s additionally extra granular management over the clock measurement.

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

Identical 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 gadgets, Apps, and extra now function colourful new icons. Curiously, these colours do not but adapt to the system’s coloration theme, however Google might add that in future updates.

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

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