Google has released Android 16 QPR2 Beta 2 for Pixel devices, offering new features like developer verification, SMS OTP protection, customizable app icons, improved garbage collection, and expanded health tracking, with a planned stable release in December.
Google's September Pixel drop introduces Material 3 Expressive UI to older devices, adds new lock screen effects, enhances contact display, and updates Quick Settings. The Pixel Buds Pro 2 gain Adaptive Audio, Loud Noise Protection, and new gestures. Android's Bluetooth now supports LE Audio Auracast for simultaneous device pairing and private broadcasts. AI features include improved writing tools in Gboard and the new Androidify experience for creating personalized Android bots.
A user switches from Pixel to Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7, praising the hardware and software improvements but frustrated by Samsung's neglect of the notification history feature, which remains buried and non-functional, highlighting a key difference in Android experiences.
Google claims that iOS 26 copies three features from Android, highlighting ongoing competition and feature similarities between the two major mobile operating systems.