Google has rolled out Android 16 Beta 4.1, bringing subtle refinements, critical bug fixes, and a few lingering issues. While this update doesn’t introduce major new features, it addresses several user-reported problems while introducing minor UI tweaks.
In this article, we’ll explore:
✔ New hidden changes in Beta 4.1
✔ Bug fixes & stability improvements
✔ Performance & battery life analysis
✔ Remaining issues before final release
Android 16 Beta 4.1: What’s New?
1. Haptic Feedback Tweaks
- A new subtle vibration now triggers when expanding the volume controls panel.
- Buggy behavior: Doesn’t activate consistently.
- First appeared in Beta 4 but refined in 4.1.
2. Google Lens Behavior Change
- Previously: Tapping the Lens icon opened the camera preview directly.
- Now: Opens the gallery first, then transitions to the camera.
3. Gemini Live Notification Chip
- When using Gemini Live (Google’s AI voice assistant), a persistent status bar chip now appears.
- Shows a timer + Gemini icon—tap to return to the active session.
Bug Fixes in Android 16 Beta 4.1
Google addressed several critical issues in this update:
| Issue | Fix Status |
|---|---|
| Haptic feedback too strong/unrefined | ✅ Fixed |
| 4K video recording fails at 4x zoom | ✅ Fixed (Pixel 8 Pro, 7 Pro) |
| Weather map disappearing in Pixel Weather app | ✅ Fixed |
| Lock screen shortcuts triggering accidentally | ✅ Now requires long-press |
| Microphone indicator stuck active | ✅ Fixed |
| Audio playback failure in NDK apps | ✅ Fixed |
| Battery drain (Pixel 9 Pro XL reported) | ✅ Improved |
| Black navigation bar glitch during transitions | ✅ Fixed |
| Google app crashing when loading websites | ✅ Fixed |
Known Issues & Remaining Bugs
Despite fixes, Beta 4.1 still has some problems:
1. Slow Charging Speed
- Many users report significantly slower charging (like USB-A speeds).
- Possible cause: Power management bug.
2. UI Glitches
- Quick Settings: Edit button text visibility issues.
- Dark/Light theme inconsistency in clock settings.
- YouTube playback bug: Black bar appears at the bottom when expanding videos.
3. Missing Features
- Fingerprint unlock on Always-On Display (AOD) option has disappeared.
Performance & Battery Life
Benchmark Scores
- Geekbench 6 Scores:
- Single-Core: ~1,800
- Multi-Core: ~4,200 (initially dropped to 3,800 but stabilized).
Battery Drain Test
- 2-hour usage (YouTube, browsing, calls): ~16% drain (37% → 20%).
- Charging speed issue impacts overall battery experience.
Should You Install Android 16 Beta 4.1?
👍 Pros:
- Smoother haptics
- Critical bug fixes (4K recording, battery drain)
- Slight UI refinements
👎 Cons:
- Slow charging (major drawback)
- Minor UI inconsistencies
- Not feature-packed
Best for: Developers & beta testers. Avoid if you need stable daily performance.
Final Thoughts
Android 16 Beta 4.1 is a minor maintenance update focusing on bug fixes rather than new features. While it improves stability, the charging speed issue is a significant drawback.
🔹 Expected next: Google may release Beta 5 with more optimizations before the final Android 16 launch.
Tags:
Android 16, Android Beta, Google Pixel, Android Updates, Android 16 Beta 4.1
Hashtags:
#Android16 #AndroidBeta #GooglePixel #AndroidUpdates #TechReview
Official Android Beta Program: https://www.google.com/android/beta
Disclaimer: Beta software may contain bugs. Install only on secondary devices. Features may change before final release.
