Following two Developer Previews and Beta updates, Android 16 Beta 3 has officially been released. This update marks the achievement of Platform Stability, indicating that most features have been finalized and will be included in the stable version. Although Beta 3 doesn’t introduce major changes as some users anticipated, it addresses several bugs to enhance the overall user experience. Here’s a look at what’s new in the latest Android 16 Beta.
What’s New in Android 16 Beta 3?
Android 16 Beta 3 is now being rolled out to all Pixel 6 and later devices, addressing issues from previous builds and incorporating the latest March security patch. The changelog highlights fixes for problems such as battery drain, outdated At a Glance information, performance improvements, and Bluetooth pairing.
One of the standout additions is the ability to check your phone’s battery health. You can now navigate to Settings > Battery > Battery Health to view your battery’s holding capacity. This section also provides options for managing charging optimization and offers recommendations to enhance battery efficiency.
Additionally, the update introduces several new features, including Auracast support for the Pixel 9 series. It also includes an Outline Text option, designed to improve text readability, and Local Network Protection, which requires apps to seek your permission before using your Wi-Fi network to communicate with other devices.
Google has also introduced a subtle yet clever addition to the Android 16 Easter Egg, showcasing the Live Activities feature, which is already supported by apps like Google Maps. The Easter Egg now displays the direction of the rocket in the notification bar and illustrates the route from one point to another as a live activity in the Quick Settings (QS) notifications.
One of the features I was most excited about in Android 16 is the revamped Quick Settings. Many manufacturers have completely overhauled their Quick Settings panels, so I was hoping Google would follow suit, especially since we got our first glimpse of the new design in Android 16 Developer Preview 1.
Factory images for Android 16 Beta 3 are now available on the official Google Android Developers website, starting with the Pixel 6 and extending up to the latest Pixel 9. You can manually flash the update using ADB or simplify the process with the Android Flash Tool. If you’re already enrolled in the Beta program, you should receive the Android 16 Beta 3 update automatically via OTA.
What are your thoughts on Android 16 Beta 3? Let us know in the comments below!
