Summary
- Android 16 QPR1 Beta reveals potential new features including easier eSIM transfer, a 90:10 split-screen mode, and a possible optional split notification shade.
- Code within the beta suggests Google is exploring comprehensive “theme packs” for Pixel devices, indicated by new strings and a reference to a future “Pixel Customization Packs” app.
- This upcoming theming feature aims to offer a more unified customization experience beyond the current individual settings for wallpapers, colors, and icons, potentially including a dedicated theme marketplace.
Our first proper look at Material 3’s expressive redesign came with the first Android 16 QPR1 beta earlier this month, unlocking not just minor refinements for our favorite operating system, but also a refreshed Quick Setting menu with resizable tiles.
The beta also brought changes to the recent apps menu, more blurry elements overall, paired with code that offers clues about what to expect next. The latter includes hints about an easier iPhone-to-Android eSIM transfer procedure, a new 90:10 split-screen mode, and Android’s eventual Quick Setting and notification shade split, which will likely be optional.
Now, additional QPR1 Beta 1 unearthed code suggests that Google might also be looking to enhance Pixel’s ‘Wallpaper & Style’ application. To be more specific, with a future Android 16 build, Google could introduce theme packs for Pixel devices.
The development was highlighted by credible Android expert Mishaal Rahman in a report for Android Authority, suggesting that the new ‘theme’ functionality could be built right into your Pixel device’s Wallpaper & style screen.
Bridging the theme gap
You’re currently able to change your Pixel device’s wallpaper for the lock and home screens, toggle between light and dark themes, alter display size and text, tweak colors and contrast, alongside basic app icon theming. All of these customization options have their own individual settings, and don’t necessarily offer the full ‘theme pack’ customization that some other launchers do. That’s the gap that the potentially upcoming ‘themes’ entry aims to bridge.
string name=”pack_theme_title”>Themes
string name=”theme_packs_description”>Discover Pixel themes
string name=”pack_theme_preview_card_content_description”>Themes preview
The fact that the unearthed code references the feature as ‘theme packs’ suggests that it will offer and bundle multiple customization options together under one roof. Further, “discover Pixel themes” suggests that the new feature could offer access to a dedicated marketplace or theme store.
System logs indicate that the store or theme marketplace could be powered by a new ‘Pixel Customization Packs’ app, which is not yet present in the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 build. That is precisely why the scope of the app, the type and number of themes offered, whether users will be able to create their own packs, and other similar questions remain unanswered. Google’s Material 3 redesign will finally offer custom app icon shapes, and the upcoming theme packs could likely leverage the new customization option.
