Google’s Latest Android 16 Release Brings Exciting New Customization Options

Google has released Android 16 QPR2 update for all eligible Pixel devices. The update brings a host of customization options that let users personalize their phones like never before. Hopefully, Samsung will adopt some of these features in its upcoming One UI 8.5 build for Galaxy devices.

Here are some of the Android 16 QPR2 features

The first compelling feature in Android 16 QPR2 is auto-themed icons. Android’s Themed Icons feature allowed app icons to match the system theme for a uniform look on the home screen. However, this feature depended on developers offering monochromatic versions of their app icons. As a result, many users saw both themed and unthemed icons. Now, Android can automatically generate themed icons, even if the developer doesn’t provide them.

Android 16 QPR2 also improves the dark mode experience with a new Expanded dark theme. Many apps still miss out on native dark themes, leaving users to rely on bright interfaces even when dark mode is enabled. Thanks to expanded dark mode, it tries to darken apps that lack a dark theme. This offers a more comfortable viewing experience in low-light conditions while making dark mode consistent across the system.

Furthermore, you now get the ability to customize icon shapes. You can pick from a circle, a square, a four-sided cookie, a seven-sided cookie, and arch shapes. Note that this feature only works on the home screen, not the app drawer, Settings, or Recents menu.

If you use screen savers, you can now take advantage of the new Low light mode. When ambient light is low, the screen saver automatically displays a dimmed clock. This eliminates the need to toggle between different screen savers for day and night.

These are just a few of the features part of Android 16 QPR2. You can learn more on Android Authority. Meanwhile, Samsung reportedly plans to open its Android 16-based One UI 8.5 beta program on December 8. There’s a possibility we’ll see some of the customization features in that build.