Google is giving us an early look at what’s coming to Pixel phones later this year. The first beta for Android 16’s second quarterly update, or QPR2, has arrived. While the stable version isn’t expected until December, this preview shows us what Google is focusing on.
This isn’t a typical minor quarterly update. As part of a new accelerated release schedule, Google is now using these updates to roll out new APIs and features to developers faster than ever. For users, that means more than just a few bug fixes. It means a major dose of new functionality is on the way.
Android 16 QPR2 Beta 1 brings themed icon generation, forced dark mode
One of the biggest themes of this update is consistency. If you’ve ever had a messy home screen with some app icons matching your color theme and others not, you’re in for a treat. The new update automatically generates themed icons for every single app, finally giving you a clean, unified look. There’s also an expanded dark theme option that intelligently inverts the look of apps that don’t offer a dark mode. This creates a consistent experience for users who prefer it. And for those who are easily blinded by bright HDR content on social media at night, a new brightness slider gives you control over HDR display. This way, you can avoid a surprise flashbang when scrolling.
New security features
Beyond the aesthetics, Google is also stepping up its security game. The anti-theft “Identity Check” feature has been expanded to protect more of your apps. This ensures that a thief can’t use your PIN or password to bypass biometric security on sensitive accounts. In a worst-case scenario, you can remotely activate the new “Secure Lock Device” state via Find Hub to immediately lock your phone and hide notifications on the lock screen. Doing this will even temporarily disable biometric unlocking for an added layer of protection. Users will also get more control over their own security with a new toggle that allows them to enable or disable the “Failed Authentication Lock” feature from Android 15.
Lock screen widgets, 90:10 split-screen ratio, Linux app support
The update is also about new features. Lock screen widgets, previously only available on tablets, are finally coming to phones. This lets you check crucial data bits at a glance. You could have a weather widget, a music player, or a calendar right on your lock screen. For those who want more out of their device, the new update adds a 90:10 split-screen ratio. This enables more flexible multitasking, allowing you to have a main app occupy most of the screen while a secondary one is just a small sliver at the bottom. The biggest surprise of all is a new capability that lets you run full desktop Linux apps like GIMP, LibreOffice, and even entire desktop environments on your Pixel device.
This preview shows that the December Pixel Drop will be a major step forward. It will bring new security measures, more control, and a much more cohesive experience to Pixel phones.
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