I appreciate the enhancements Google introduced to the Pixel with Android 16, yet there’s room for further improvement.
I’ve been using the Pixel 10 for several weeks, and there’s plenty to admire about the device, from its cameras to the integrated magnetic Qi2 charging. However, what I didn’t anticipate enjoying as much as I have is Google’s rendition of Android 16. It’s lively, responsive, and brings several welcomed alterations that I’ve long wished to see in Pixel software.
However, Pixel UI has never ranked as my top preference, and while I appreciate the modifications Google has made with Android 16 and Material 3 Expressive, there are aspects I would still love to see incorporated in upcoming versions of Android. Many of these features seem so standard on other Android devices that it’s surprising Google hasn’t brought them to Pixels.
Quick Settings
One of my favorite updates to Pixel UI is the Quick Settings. I wasn’t particularly fond of the unnecessarily oversized tiles in earlier iterations, which restricted the number of tiles visible at once compared to One UI. But now, Google permits greater customization of the Quick Settings panel than I ever thought possible.
Now, you can resize any tile simply by long-pressing it. While you only receive two options—essentially 1×1 or 2×1—it enables you to fit more tiles in the panel and adds character, allowing you to spotlight the most essential tiles if desired.
However, some annoying quirks remain unaddressed with Android 16.
For a feature labeled “Quick Settings,” I find it lacks in providing swift access to key settings. For some reason, accessing the brightness slider requires two swipes of the panel, which is frustrating when I want to quickly tweak it beyond the auto brightness.
Moreover, the actual Settings button is also unreachable until the second swipe. While I could have an icon on my home screen or swipe through the app drawer, I prefer to keep my home screen free from apps/widgets. I might just be accustomed to Samsung’s Quick Settings, which allows direct access to the Settings icon after one swipe down.
Lastly, I would be thrilled to see Google allow an option to differentiate the notification panel and Quick Settings menu. I’ve become accustomed to this on Samsung and Motorola devices, and I find it preferable as it shows more tiles or notifications simultaneously and enables easy swiping between the two panels.
Multitasking
Although Google is concentrating on enhancing the multitasking experience on foldables like the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, traditional phones seem somewhat lacking in this regard.
The Open Apps view merely presents large cards side by side, which doesn’t provide an exceptionally helpful overview of your apps. This isn’t a major issue, but it doesn’t feel as effective as the Open Apps view from other manufacturers. Additionally, while features like Screenshot and the text selector are handy, I would appreciate the option to view recommended apps for quick access.
Also, it perplexes me that I have to swipe all the way to the right to locate the Clear All button. Even Motorola enables me to open the view and tap Clear All without the need to swipe. I can also lock an app within the Open Apps view to keep it active when clearing the rest, which is convenient while streaming YouTube Music, for instance.
One feature I have been yearning to see on Pixels is a native side panel. This would allow quick access to your preferred or frequently used apps simply by swiping from the side of the display on almost any screen. It’s incredibly practical, and typically the first thing I set up when using a new device. It’s also available on nearly every other smartphone I’ve tested, from Samsung to TECNO, making it peculiar that Google has yet to provide the option, despite having offered a taskbar for foldables.
More customization
Most Android devices offer some degree of customization, and the Pixel UI has enhanced this area, particularly with the previously mentioned Quick Settings. However, while there’s a reasonable amount of customization available, I’d like to see even more.
The Open Apps view is just one illustration; Google should allow us to select the presentation style of apps. The same goes for the Quick Settings menu; we should have the ability to rearrange, resize, and modify the style of the tiles and panel further. Samsung excels at enabling you to rearrange various elements in Quick Settings, and that would serve as an excellent starting point.
Beyond that, Google should allow customization of additional aspects of the Pixel UI, such as the shape of app icons and the content displayed on the status bar, permitting us to decide which icons we want to appear and in what manner. OnePlus offers this on its devices, and I have always valued it as a means to declutter the top of my screen.
And as
