Google Pixels will add a touch of color to their screens... even when you're not using them. The next Android update will revive turned-off screens with a little whimsy.
Android 16 is just around the corner, and with it, a small aesthetic revolution for Google smartphones. Beta 4 of this system, rolled out this week, brings a subtle but appreciable new feature : The Pixel's always-on display (AOD) will finally match custom themes. Gone are the days of unchanging gray or white, replaced by discreet, yet customizable shades.
Until now, even when choosing a color for the lock clock, the AOD remained stubbornly monochrome. Now, if you choose a pale purple or pastel blue, the off screen will follow suit. Tested by Android Police on a Pixel 9a, the result is subtle: the tint, visible especially in the dark, avoids the flashy effect while homogenizing the design.
Read also – Android 16 will bring a touch of color to Settings, discover the new interface
A personalized screen, even in standby
This evolution is part of a desire for visual consistency. Google is thus extending color harmony to the smallest detail, even when the phone seems asleep. The AOD still displays the time, weather, or notifications, but with a touch of customization. A modest but symbolic advancement for fans of neat UI.
The next Android 16 update is obviously not limited to this. The update forces apps to use the screen in borderless mode, reintegrates the "Do Not Disturb" mode in shortcuts, and optimizes app installation on older models. These are all discreet changes aimed at streamlining the experience.
While Samsung struggles to roll out Android 15 to its flagships, Google is accelerating. The stable version of Android 16 could arrive sooner than expected, confirming the brand's "Pixel first" strategy. Users are asking for more: what if the next Pixels dared to use brighter colors?
It remains to be seen whether users will massively adopt these pastel shades. One thing is certain: Google is banking on the detail that makes the difference. Maybe this will convince some people to switch from iOS to Android.
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