Android 16 QPR1: A first look at Material 3 Epressive

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Google has provided a preview of the new Material 3 Expressive design language with the Android 16 QPR1 version. Although the redesign is not yet complete, it shows what users can expect.

According to Google, Material 3 Expressive is the company's most extensively researched design language, which is intended to appeal to a broad range of users across generations. The differences to the “Material You” design language introduced in 2021 are clear. However, all the planned changes are not yet available – Google has already integrated some of the most obvious innovations.

Android 16: Notifications and app launcher with more “glass”

Google mentions in the announcement that the new OS version will bring “updated dynamic colour themes, responsive components and new typography that allows devices to be more personalized”. The first thing that stands out in the QPR1 beta is the background blur in the notification bar, quick settings and app overview. The fact that the “At a Glance” function at the top left of the home screen has been reduced in size is only noticeable in direct comparison with the previous design.

The background blur means that the color nuances of the screen background always shimmer through, which creates a certain lightness compared to the monochrome and opaque backgrounds used previously. However, this solution is not really a new idea: the effect has been used in other operating systems for years.

More space in the quick settings

Google offers more space in the quick settings with Material 3 Expressive: The individual controls such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth etc. can be resized so that 16 of them can be accommodated on one screen.

The brightness slider has also been redesigned and is now less rounded and has a narrow horizontal bar. The same design changes can also be found in the volume and media controls. The task switcher has also been given a drop-down menu.

What is not visible but noticeable: Google has already integrated the announced haptic feedback into the system when a notification is swiped away. The new animations when hiding a notification, in which the adjacent notifications react to the interaction, are also already on board and should produce a more dynamic feeling during use.

Lock screen with “Magic Portrait”

Another new feature is the so-called “Magic Portrait”, which allows users to spice up the lock screen. This function allows users to add their picture to the lock screen with differently shaped frames and different colored backgrounds. Unfortunately, the image cannot yet be placed in the center of the frame, which shows that the function is not quite ready yet.

The image can also be given a 3D effect, which should make it appear more three-dimensional. Various weather effects such as rain or fog can also be applied to the lock screen – including the local weather.

There's still a lot missing

Google's beta of the redesign for Android 16 (and Wear OS 6) does not yet have all the new features that the company announced at the Android Show on May 13. For example, some color options and fonts are missing. There is also no sign of the newly designed Google apps such as Mail, Maps, and others. The updated apps should gradually be made available over the next few months.

The fact that the pre-release version with Material 3 Expressive is not yet finished is not surprising. Google will only release the update later in the year – probably in September –. Unfortunately, the stable version of Android 16 promised by Google for the second quarter will initially come without the new design.

Speaking of apps: in order for the overall picture of the redesign for Android to be a well-rounded one, all app developers would ideally have to follow suit and adapt their applications to the new design guidelines. In the past, it has been shown that some are happy to take their time with this. Even some large companies such as Amazon or Disney have not yet managed to optimize their app icons for the dynamic colour palette of Material You.

Android 16 QPR1 for Pixel 6 and newer

The Android 16 QPR1 version has been available for interested owners of a Pixel 6 and newer to try out since May 20. If you want to test it, you have to register your device on the Android beta website, after which the version is offered as an over-the-air update in the system settings.

Even though the beta software is surprisingly stable, caution is advised when installing it: It is likely to still have bugs.

(afl)