Android 16 Might Bring a Completely Redesigned Notifications and Quick Settings Panel: Early Insights

Google has not announced a stable release date for Android 15 yet but you can expect it to land on Pixel phones in the coming weeks. As part of this update, there are a number of improvements and new features including updated media controls, improved camera functions for more devices & support added to larger screens. Android 15 is right around the corner, but we already have some early glimpses of what to expect from Android 16 next year.

Leaks About the Android 16

Mishaal Rahman of Android Authority has discovered a new notification and Quick Settings UI with the open source QPR beta for Android 15, which should carry forward to further builds such as those likely belonging to what will eventually be known as Version 16. This new design includes a thorough change in the notification panel, which no longer extends across the entire display like it currently does. Google has also taken out the Quick Settings panel from its notification dropdown menu. But they will still have the app itself displayed in the bottom half of the screen.

The Quick Settings panel now needs a two-finger swipe down to be accessed on it. It seems a somewhat surprising decision by Google to offer such functionality with one click, and it would be a pretty inconsistent way of doing things assuming this is what the final UI looks like. Meanwhile, the design of the Quick Settings panel in general seems to have more or less stayed put albeit for some slight modifications. The brightness slider has been moved to the top and a section of that big slab has a text label now, other elements are also resized into smaller tiles. You can swipe for a full list of available tiles.

The design is still incomplete, with several settings missing, and there’s no confirmation if Google will move forward with this UI for Android 16. Nevertheless, it hints at potential changes we might see in the future. For now, Android users can look forward to Android 15, which will soon be available on Pixel devices, with brands like Samsung, Honor, OnePlus, Motorola, and others releasing the update in the coming months.

FAQs