Google’s QPR1 Beta 2 update for Android 16 brings a host of subtle yet impactful improvements, especially for Pixel 8 Pro users. From revamped animations to widget behavior and UI refinements, this build refines the Android experience significantly.
Let’s explore all the hidden and updated features in QPR1 Beta 2 in detail.
🔄 1. Updated System Animations
🔓 Unlock Animation Behavior
When unlocking the phone while an app is open, a new home screen animation now appears briefly before the open app is shown. It’s a shaded overlay transition effect that makes the unlocking feel more fluid and polished.
⏰ Widget Expansion Animation
- Tapping the clock widget now causes it to expand and transition into the full app view.
- Earlier, the stable version would skip the expansion and directly launch the app.
- This same animation behavior now applies to widgets like Google Home, offering a more dynamic and immersive transition.
⚡ Gemini Trigger (Power Button Hold)
Holding the power button now triggers the Gemini Assistant interface with a new animation:
- The display shrinks, and a sliding bar appears from the bottom.
- This behavior is consistent, whether on the home screen or inside any app.
Note: Invoking Google Assistant using voice still shows the old animation.
🎥 Cinematic Wallpaper Animation Update
- Previously, activating cinematic wallpapers displayed sparkling effects.
- Now, a smoother overlay animation replaces sparkles for a more subtle aesthetic.
🚀 Faster App Closing from Recents
Swiping away apps from the recent screen is now much faster.
- You can swipe multiple apps back-to-back quickly — something the stable version didn’t allow fluidly.
🔔 Redesigned Notification Holding Behavior
- Long-pressing a notification now opens a redesigned settings card with a bouncy animation.
- Tapping on toggles within the card also shows new transition effects.
🖼️ 2. Wallpapers by In-Depth Tech Reviews – Now Editable!
Pixel users can now enjoy wallpapers from the Wallpapers by In-Depth Tech Reviews app, which works great with Android 16’s new effects feature.
📱 Key Features:
- Download wallpapers locally.
- Apply edits before downloading:
- Adjust colors, saturation, brightness.
- Add blur effects.
- Option to save either edited or stock version.
🔗 Download from Google Play Store
🛠️ 3. System Tweaks and UI Enhancements
📶 Repositioned Status Bar Indicators
- Wi-Fi and mobile data icons have now swapped positions.
- Compared to stable Android 16, this minor change improves visual symmetry.
🔐 Transparent Lock Screen Notification Pill
- When selecting compact notification view on the lock screen, the notification pill becomes transparent, offering a cleaner appearance.
☀️ Flat Weather Icons
- At a Glance and lock screen widgets now show flat, simple weather icons, replacing the earlier 3D ones.
📅 Date & Weather Placement Restored
- In Beta 1, the date and weather info appeared next to the clock. In Beta 2, they are back under the clock, restoring visual balance seen in the stable version.
🔋 Battery Widget Fix
- In monochrome mode, battery percentage is now clearly visible (white text on proper background), resolving an issue where text was unreadable.
📞 Phone Call Chip Behavior
- While on a call, tapping the top-left chip on the home screen no longer opens the full dialer.
- Instead, it expands a floating banner with quick action buttons like mute, speaker, and end call.
🖱️ New Haptic Feedback on Wallpaper Selection
- While changing wallpapers via the home screen overlay menu, tapping on a wallpaper thumbnail now provides haptic feedback, enhancing the user experience.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Can I install QPR1 Beta 2 on any Android phone?
No. This beta is currently available for supported Pixel devices only.
Q2: Will these changes stay in the final Android 16 release?
Most likely, yes. But since this is a beta build, some animations or features might be refined or even removed based on user feedback.
Q3: Are there any known bugs in this beta?
As with all beta versions, you may encounter minor bugs or visual inconsistencies, especially in animations or widget behavior.
🛡️ Disclaimer
This article is based on the QPR1 Beta 2 build of Android 16. Features discussed here may change or be removed in future releases. Installing beta software may result in bugs or instability. Proceed only if you are comfortable with testing early software.
📌 Tags & Hashtags
Tags:
Pixel 8 Pro, Android 16, Android QPR1 Beta, Android update, Pixel features, Android beta animation, Wallpaper editor Android, Android widget animation
Hashtags:
#Android16 #Pixel8Pro #AndroidBeta #QPR1Beta2 #AndroidUpdate #PixelFeatures #WallpaperEditor #AndroidTips
