Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority
Google just announced the September 2025 Pixel Drop, bringing a fresh look and new features to the entire Pixel lineup with the Android 16 QPR1 update. While the announcement highlighted major changes like the revamped UI based on Google’s Material 3 Expressive design, it glossed over several other significant additions. For example, the update also introduces a preview of Google’s DeX-like desktop mode, Live Updates, and much more. Here’s a look at every new feature coming in the Android 16 QPR1 update!
A major design overhaul with Material 3 Expressive Android 16 QPR1 brings Google’s biggest design overhaul in years. Material 3 Expressive brings new physics-based animations, fresh app components, stylish color themes, background blur effects, and much more. When you update your Pixel phone to Android 16 QPR1, you’ll see changes throughout the UI. Here are a few things to look out for: Background blur: The notifications shade, Quick Settings panel, app drawer, recents menu, and keyguard now show a blurred version of your wallpaper instead of an opaque background.
Notifications panel in Android 16 Notifications panel in Android 16 QPR1 App drawer in Android 16 App drawer in Android 16 QPR1
Lock screen: The lock screen has a cleaner, more compact layout.
Lock screen layout in Android 16 Lock screen layout in Android 16 QPR1
Physics-based animations : Swiping away notifications and recent tasks will have a springy animation. Long-pressing the power button will show a squeeze animation when you summon the voice assistant.
: Swiping away notifications and recent tasks will have a springy animation. Long-pressing the power button will show a squeeze animation when you summon the voice assistant. Settings: The homepage now has colorful icons, each menu item is placed within separate cards, right-facing arrows indicate subpages, and page headers appear at the top by default. Also, Android’s messy sound settings have finally been organized.
Settings homepage in Android 16 Settings homepage in Android 16 QPR1 Display settings in Android 16 Display settings in Android 16 QPR1
Status bar: The text clock is now larger and bolder, the battery icon has been redesigned, the Wi-Fi and mobile data icons are now segmented, and the mobile data icon has been moved to the left of Wi-Fi. The signal bar for your second SIM is no longer shown beside the first SIM; instead, it’s shown below, similar to iOS.
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