Large text article

Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 brings Material 3 Expressive to Pixel devices

Brahm Daniel Verano
May 23, 2025
Pixel 9 and earlier phones receive the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 update with Material 3 Expressive over-the-air.
Pixel 9 series and earlier phones receive the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 update with Material 3 Expressive design language over-the-air. (Image credit: Samuel Angor/Unsplash)

The newest Android QPR beta is now live on Pixel 6 phones and later.

MANILA, Philippines — The first QPR (Quarterly Platform Release) beta of the upcoming Android 16 is now out on selected Pixel devices, in a release note dated Tuesday, May 20, 2025, on the Android Developers website. This release brings the much-anticipated Material 3 Expressive design overhaul to eligible smartphones, as well as API level advancement, and other changes intended for developers.

On The Dot.
  • Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 is now released.
  • It brings Material 3 Expressive to eligible Pixel devices.
  • Supported Pixel devices include the Pixel 6 series through the Pixel 9 series.

Material 3 Expressive is finally live on the Android 16 QPR1 Beta.

Material 3 Expressive design language seen on the May 13 announcement post by Google.
Material 3 Expressive design language seen on the May 13 announcement post by Google. (Image credit: Google/The Keyword)

Material 3 Expressive is the latest design language on Android. Announced on May 13, Material 3 Expressive aims for a 'more personal, expressive phone experience' — hence the name, with features such as a loaded customization system (which focuses more on colors), has springy animations, and a round iconography. It also has Live Updates, which help you keep track of delivery-related notifications in real time.

Android 16 QPR1 Beta 1 Supported Devices

  • Pixel 6, 6a, and 6 Pro
  • Pixel 7, 7a, and 7 Pro
  • Pixel Fold
  • Pixel Tablet
  • Pixel 8, 8a, and 8 Pro
  • Pixel 9, 9a, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold

Eligible Pixel devices enrolled in the Android Beta for Pixel program will receive an OTA (over-the-air) update to the QPR1 Beta 1. While this release is suitable for general use, it is said this build 'might have various stability, battery, or performance issues' which may not be appropriate for daily use. 

However, a stable release is expected next month, as reported by GSMArena.

Google encourages beta users to participate in the Android Beta Program Reddit community for concerns and issues.

Follow androidist on Google News for the latest stories on Android, consumer technology, and beyond.

Related Stories
Brahm Daniel Verano
Brahm Daniel Verano
Brahm Daniel Verano is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of androidist. He is a consumer technology journalist and a phone critic with half a decade of smartphone coverage and gadget reviewing experience in between. He founded the publication in 2019, later becoming one of the Philippines' first news websites dedicated to reporting on Android. He is among a few who have reviewed the first OnePlus tablet and has attended major tech events held locally, including Galaxy Unpacked. He is currently taking up a Bachelor of Science in Information and Technology at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. He can be reached at brahm@androidist.net or @liafourte on X.
Tags
Related Stories