While we are eagerly awaiting the official release of Android 15 for Pixel phones (expected in the coming weeks), whispers of what’s next are already swirling.
A recent discovery by Mishaal Rahman of Android Authority in the latest Android 15 QPR beta suggests Google might be planning an overhaul for notifications and Quick Settings in next year’s Android 16.
The proposed change involves a split approach to notifications and quick settings. Swiping down with one finger would reveal a slim notification panel, presumably occupying about a quarter of the screen. This could offer a less disruptive way to check notifications without obscuring the entire display.
However, the real head-scratcher comes with accessing quick settings. Google appears to be toying with the idea of requiring a two-finger swipe to expand the notification shade further and reveal the quick settings tiles. The change feels counterintuitive, to be honest. Below is a video of the changes in action.
The Quick Settings panel itself appears relatively unchanged, albeit with a few tweaks. Brightness control gets its own dedicated space with a text label, while the remaining tiles seem to have shrunk a bit. Swiping allows you to access the full list of settings.
It’s worth noting that this design is far from complete. Many settings are missing from the Quick Settings panel, and Google hasn’t confirmed if this revamped UI will see the light of day in Android 16. Still, it clearly shows what Google is experimenting with its Android skin.
For now, the focus remains squarely on Android 15. Pixel users can expect the update in the coming weeks, with other manufacturers like Samsung, Honor, and OnePlus following suit in the coming months.
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