When I got my Pixel 10 Pro XL, I thought I would never look again at my “older” Pixel 9 Pro XL. I realize how privileged and braggy this sounds, but it’s the reality of my job: New Pixel lands at my desk, ergo last year’s Pixel, which I was perfectly happy with until two seconds earlier, instantly feels antiquated. But this hasn’t been the case this year, and the reason is Android 16. Specifically, all the major updates to Android 16 that have appeared on my Pixel 9 Pro XL, with the most recent one being the Android 16 QPR2 update.
Have you enjoyed Android 16's updates more than Android 15 on your Pixel? 19 votes Yes. I love all these new features. 84 % No, I loved Android 15 more. 5 % I didn't notice a difference. 5 % No, I liked Android X more (tell us which version in the comments) 5 %
More elaborate Material 3 Expressive
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
One of the biggest changes of Android 16 QPR1 was the introduction of Material 3 Expressive, Google’s improved, more colorful, more playful, and more shape-shifting design language for Android. That came with new blur everywhere, a more customizable Quick Settings panel, and a new Settings app, and it already felt like a huge change on my Pixel 9 Pro XL. But with QPR2, this new design feels more polished all around.
Material 3 Expressive feels more polished and more finished on QPR2.
It’s true that there aren’t major changes here, but the finishing touches bring Material 3 Expressive together on my phone. Icon shapes are back with a choice of four new shapes on top of the existing circle. I really missed having the square with rounded corners option from pre-Android 12, and I’m glad it’s now back on my Pixel. Google has also pushed themed icons to the next level, forcing them to apply even on apps that don’t support them. Lazy developers are no longer an obstacle to a homogenous home screen, and I love that everything now looks in harmony on my phone.
Icon themes and shapes settings Force-applied icon theming
There’s a way to turn off background blur now, too, though I’m not using it. I got used to the blur, and going back to a flat background feels like a regression. Google has also added a new Expanded dark mode that forces apps into dark mode, even the ones with no dark mode out of the box. It doesn’t work everywhere well, but it’s saving me from burning my eyes when checking my upcoming holiday trip with Transavia at night.
More notification management helpers
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