- Android 3 QPR16 beta 1 arrives on Pixel devices with visual improvements and critical bug fixes.
- New colorful weather icons in the At a Glance widget and a search bar adapted to the dynamic theme.
- Stability improvements: fixes for unexpected reboots, launcher, media player, and camera crashes.
- Update available via OTA for Pixel 6 and later, approaching stable release in September.
Google continues to strengthen the development of its operating system with the arrival of Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3, an update that's already rolling out to compatible Pixel phones. Although it's a beta, it's shaping up to be the last major preview release before the expected final version, which will be released in September. The new beta mainly includes visual optimizations and the resolution of bugs detected in previous weeks., which is key for those who use these devices daily.
The rollout of this update confirms Google's commitment to offering a more fluid and enjoyable user experience. The design changes are subtle but effective., with tweaks to the settings and detail menus that improve the overall feel of the system; a step closer to the maturity of Android 16 just before its final release.
Visual improvements and functional improvements
One of the highlights of Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 is the incorporation of new full-color weather icons in the "At a Glance" widget. This change not only beautifies the interface, but makes it easy to quickly identify relevant information on the Always-On display and on the lock screen.
La Pixel Launcher search bar has also received an interesting update. Now the icons for voice access, Google Lens and AI mode adopt the dynamic system theme, thus providing greater visual coherence across the entire desktop and making the bar less visually cluttered.
In addition, there have been small but important tweaks in the settings menus, such as a clearer layout and better contrasted backgrounds, which help to find options more easily. The buttons in the battery status menu are now larger and more widely spaced, and functions are grouped together for more direct access.
There is no shortage of details such as the return of the check icons on the switches and better visibility of key functions, while maintaining a consistent design language thanks to Material 3 Expressive, Google's new visual standard.
Bug fixes and stability improvements
In line with expectations for an update of this caliber, Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 has resolved a number of issues that had been affecting users.:
- The launcher is working normally again., resolving issues with display or disappearance of icons.
- Notifications and the media player no longer have display errors or crashes in the drop-down menu.
- Random reboots are removed caused by kernel errors or failures to use the loader, improving the overall stability of the system.
- The camera is back to working order avoiding the black screen problem when opening the application.
- All status bar icons have been restored, correcting quick information losses in the interface.
These solutions restore the confidence lost in previous versions of the Pixel, creating a much more stable and reliable environment.
La Android 3 QPR16 Beta 1 It's available for most recent Google Pixel models, from the Pixel 6 and its Pro and "a" variants to the latest Pixel 9 models, including the XL, Fold, and Pixel Tablet. The update can be downloaded directly via OTA, though factory images are also available for those who prefer manual installation.
It should be remembered that the Pixel 6A has been temporarily left out of this distribution phase and has not yet received the beta., a situation that is expected to be resolved soon.
To install the update, simply go to Settings → System → Software Updates and check if the Beta is available.
What to expect from the final version
The arrival of this beta indicates that Android 16 development is in the final stretchGoogle appears to have focused its efforts on polishing the details and getting the platform ready for its stable release, scheduled for September. Some advanced features that have appeared in Canary builds, such as 90:10 split-screen multitasking or improvements to parental controls, are not present in this beta and could be reserved for future updates.
In parallel with the bug fixes, the releases are maintained Pixel Feature Drops, which ensures new features are released quarterly exclusively for the brand's devices. These will continue to arrive in the future, regardless of the major Android version installed.
With the upgrade to Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3Pixel users are already enjoying a more polished, attractive, and reliable experience, while awaiting the latest updates that Google has in store for the final version of the system.
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