The newest Android 16 beta conceals a major user interface redesign.

      Tushar Mehta / Digital Trends

      Google has been rolling out various beta versions of Android 16 for some time, but the most intriguing elements are often kept under wraps. We have confirmation that Google will unveil new design alterations at this month's I/O event, and some of these modifications can already be observed in the latest and final beta release.

      Android Authority has managed to activate the hidden design features in Beta 4, revealing a mix of subtle and more pronounced changes to the user interface. Since these modifications remain “off” even in the final beta, it's likely that they won't be part of the initial stable release of Android 16. Instead, Google may enable them in a quarterly update at a later point. Hopefully, more details will surface during the forthcoming developer conference.

      The design updates noted by Android Authority feature changes in fonts, icons, and new blur effects. The Settings app and Quick Settings panel are receiving significant updates to enhance their “expressive” qualities, and adjustments have been made to the lock screen to streamline its appearance.

      Among the most exciting hidden features in the beta is the introduction of new icon shape options. In addition to the default circular app icon design, users may also select from “square,” “four-sided cookie,” “seven-sided cookie,” “arch,” and “complex clover” shapes. The chosen shape will be visible on both the home screen and in the app drawer. Given the unusual names of these shapes, I’ll reference Android Authority’s comparison image to show what they actually look like.

      Android Authority

      As we don’t know when Google intends to launch this new design theme, it’s difficult to gauge how close these hidden updates are to the final version. We also remain unaware if other changes are pending that haven't been included in this beta. With just 20 days left until Google I/O 2025, we can expect to learn more in a couple of weeks.

      Willow Roberts has been a Computing Writer at Digital Trends for a year and has been writing for around a decade. She has a…

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