NemoClaw Knowledge Wiki

Android 16 review

4 min read

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ax3m6rVLmng

Emad Hussien from the “In-Depth Tech Reviews” channel presents a comprehensive overview of the stable release of Android 16, alongside the June 2025 Pixel Drop, highlighting new features and design tweaks on his Pixel 9 Pro XL. Key changes and features include:

  • Lock Screen & Always-On Display (AOD): The AOD clock now dynamically matches the wallpaper’s color palette.
  • Home Screen:
    • A new “App list” option is added to the home screen overlay menu, providing direct access to the app drawer.
    • Expanded folders are slightly shifted upwards for better text visibility.
  • Recent Apps:
    • All app-related options (App info, Split screen, Pin, Pause app, Screenshot, Select, Close) are now consolidated under the app’s menu icon.
    • A new “Close” option allows for force-quitting apps.
    • The Split screen icon has been updated.
  • Wallpaper & Style:
    • The “Other colors” section for system theme generation offers noticeably darker color combinations.
    • “High contrast text” under Color Contrast is renamed “Outline text” and highlights text differently.
  • Quick Settings & Notifications:
    • The status bar font for time and date is bolder.
    • Expanded Quick Settings tiles also feature a slightly bolder font.
    • Media Controls have a darker background for improved text visibility.
    • The Media Output switcher includes a new “Speakers & Displays” category and a small dot on the volume slider indicating maximum volume.
    • The brightness slider’s empty part is a lighter color, and its overall appearance is slightly different.
    • The Task Manager’s text is easier to read.
    • Notifications (long press): A “Dismiss” button is added, and “Turn off notifications” is simplified to “Turn off”. Notification toggle cards are redesigned with bigger toggles and a checkmark icon.
    • Notification History: Features more contrast and uses spaces instead of horizontal lines between items.
  • Random Tweaks:
    • Volume controls now provide haptic feedback when adjusting sliders.
    • Android 16 supports taking HDR screenshots.
    • The predictive back gesture now functions with the three-button navigation.
    • The Photo Picker has been redesigned with smaller tabs, no “X” button (uses back arrow), and photos are grouped by month instead of day. Albums now include a dedicated “Camera” option.
    • For Pixel tablets and folds, physical keyboard shortcuts can now be customized by pressing the Windows/Alt key + forward slash.
  • Settings App (Specific Sections):
    • Search Bar: Appears darker with an outline in dark mode.
    • Network & Internet: “Allow 2G” is renamed “2G network protection”, with the toggle logic reversed.
    • Connected Devices: The audio sharing feature is no longer present (it was available in QPR1 Beta 1).
    • Apps: A new “Contacts storage” menu allows users to choose which Google account to sync contacts with, or to save them locally.
    • Notifications: The preview button under “Flash notifications” is smaller.
    • Sound & Vibration: Sliders are darker and thicker for better visibility. “Show assistant media recommendations” is removed from the Media section.
    • Display & Touch: The brightness slider matches the Quick Settings design. Pixel Fold users gain a “Robust open/close detection” option for improved accuracy and battery usage.
    • Battery: A new “Battery health” page is introduced (for Pixel 8a and 9 models), displaying estimated battery capacity and health tips. Charging optimization is now listed within this page.
    • Storage: The “Free up space” banner bug is now fixed and correctly displayed.
    • System: “Languages” is renamed “Language & region” and includes new sub-categories like “Region”, “Temperature”, and “Measurement system”. The “Speech” menu consolidates voice input, on-device recognition, and text-to-speech output options.
    • Gestures: “Quickly open camera” is renamed “Double press power button”, allowing users to choose between opening the camera or Google Wallet.
    • Security & Privacy: A new “Advanced Protection” menu offers enhanced security features, requiring Google Account enrollment and a device restart.
  • Performance & Battery Experience:
    • Performance: The device runs super fast, fluid, and responsive, with quick app launches and no overheating observed. A lower Geekbench score was noted, but this might be a temporary issue.
    • Battery: It’s too early for a full assessment, but initial usage showed 6 hours and 31 minutes of screen-on time with 30% battery remaining (Wi-Fi only).

The creator also mentions that wallpapers used in the video, and more, will soon be available in his “Wallpapers by IDTR” app, allowing for local downloads and editing features like blur, brightness, hue, and saturation.

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