The dessert names might be gone, but Android updates keep rolling in. I've been playing with the Android 16 beta on my Pixel 9 Pro for a few days, and it's clear the trend is less about huge overhauls and more about subtle tweaks and refinements. This latest update is almost entirely about the look and feel, especially in this first beta. There aren't any groundbreaking new capabilities yet, but it just feels… different. It looks, acts, and feels a bit different, and honestly, I like it.

Google's been on this path for a while, starting with Material Design, then Material You, and now they've named this latest version Material 3 Expressive. It makes sense because everything is brighter, more playful, and more expressive, almost like real physical objects. So, let's take a look at this fresh coat of paint that you'll likely only see on Google Pixel phones. Here are my top five favorite new things in Android 16.

Key Takeaways

• Lock Screen Customization: More control over clock fonts, thickness, and notification display.
• Recent Apps Improvements: Added dropdown for more actions and subtle, playful physics.
• Launcher Tweaks: Smaller "At a Glance" widget, new grid sizes, and cool wallpaper effects.
• New Physics: UI elements feel more like physical objects with subtle animations and haptics.
• Quick Settings Overhaul: Glassy background, customizable toggles, and smart shortcuts.

Lock Screen Customization

They say we unlock our phones a hundred times a day, so it's good to like what we see. Android 16 has a slightly different lock screen picker. You still get there the same way – long-press the lock screen and hit customize. But inside, it's more neatly organized. The animation to reveal the wallpaper selector is a nice touch. The new clock customization lets you change the font thickness with a slider, from super bold to razor thin. You can also choose how notifications appear: a full list or a compact view with just icons. Plus, you can still change your shortcuts. It's not about new features, but better organization to help you create your perfect lock screen.

Recent Apps

The multitasking menu of recent apps isn't usually exciting, but this update makes it better for a few reasons. First, there's a new dropdown for every app. Clicking it gives you more actions, including split-screen, which used to be hidden behind the app icon. Exposing this is a good move. Second, the physics are more subtle but part of a bigger theme. These windows and UI pieces feel like physical objects. When you drag a window, the ones next to it move slightly, and they bounce when you release it. It's subtle, but it's good stuff. There are even more fun animations on foldables with the dock and floating windows. And the haptics you feel while scrolling through them add a nice touch.

Launcher Customization

This one's subtle, so a side-by-side comparison helps. The "At a Glance" widget is still there and non-removable, but it's a bit smaller now, with a slimmer font. This also made room for an entire new row of icons on the home screen thanks to new grid sizes. But the real fun is in wallpaper customization. When you select a new wallpaper, there's an "Effects" button. This lets you add effects to your background. The "Shape" effect creates a window into your background image behind a solid color picked from the image. The "Weather" effect adds live weather animations like fog, rain, snow, or sun with lens flare over your wallpaper. You can even mirror your current location's weather. Then there's "Cinematic," which adds subtle 3D motion to your photos, making them feel more alive, especially portraits of people or pets.

New Physics and Feel

This is where Android 16 really shines with its "expressive" theme. Many menus that used to be flat now feel intentionally separated, like distinct touch targets. The multitasking windows have a bit of bounce and interact with surrounding windows, giving them a sense of gravity. This is most noticeable in notifications. When you swipe to dismiss one, it feels like you're unsticking it from the others. The accompanying haptics make it feel like you can tell exactly when you've broken the "rubber band" effect and can swipe it away. It's unnecessary but feels really nice and is a great expression of the Material 3 style.

Quick Settings Overhaul

My number one favorite new thing is the quick settings and notification panel. The background is now a glassy, transparent overlay instead of the solid background from Android 15. I love it. There's a big new brightness slider at the top, and the toggle buttons change shape slightly from round to boxy when activated. The real customization happens when you hit the edit button. You can shrink any toggle to half size and rearrange them however you want. You can mix large targets like the flashlight with smaller ones you don't use often. If you mess up, there's a big undo button. A smart touch is the Bluetooth button: tapping the main area opens the menu, but tapping the little logo toggles it on/off. This level of customization and convenience is fantastic.

Other Noteworthy Changes

As a bonus, here are some other visual updates:

• Notifications: Bottom buttons are bigger (like "Clear All"), and there's a new notification history button.
• Status Bar: Icons are slightly redesigned, including a sideways battery indicator with numbers inside for better readability.
• App Drawer: Now has a slightly transparent overlay instead of being fully opaque.
• Settings App: Aesthetically updated and reorganized, mostly for the better.
• Volume Slider: Matches the brightness slider, with a clear bar showing the current level.

This is just Beta 1, and more features are expected, like ongoing notifications (similar to iOS) and a new "Find Hub" to track contacts and items. So far, the beta has been stable, aside from Android Auto not working. I'm excited to see what comes next!