New power button animation in Android 16 QPR1 beta 2

Google is testing a cool new feature in the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 update for Pixel phones. When you press and hold the power button, a fresh animation appears. A black border grows from the edges of the screen, creating a smooth effect before the voice assistant pops up. This update also brings other changes, like a desktop mode for external screens, window tiling for tablets, and custom keyboard shortcuts.

The animation is part of Google’s new Material 3 Expressive design, which aims to make Android look and feel more lively. We first saw hints of this animation last month, and now it’s being tested in this beta release. The update rolled out last week alongside the stable Android 16 version for Pixel devices.

You can check out the animation in a video shared on Discord by a user named A_Button117. This feature is expected to launch fully with the Android 16 QPR1 release, likely soon after Google introduces the Pixel 10 lineup. If you’re curious to try it, you’ll need a Pixel phone enrolled in the Android Beta Program.