Android phones used to lag behind the iPhone when it comes to regularity of software updates, but in recent years, firms such as Samsung and Google have really stepped up their game.Google in particular is now very good at providing all Android manufacturers with big updates they can apply to their phones, while also holding back some exclusive features for its own Pixel smartphones.As well as the annual update where the Android version number creeps up - we are currently on Android 16 - Google indulges Pixel owners with quarterly ‘Feature Drop’ updates where it releases new software perks.Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Read more: Google gave the Pixel Watch a big free update to match the Apple Watch Read more: Google Pixel owners treated to biggest free Android update in months Tech news, reviews and latest gadgets plus selected offers and competitions Subscribe Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you.
This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding.You can unsubscribe at any time.Read our Privacy PolicyThis is different to the most recent December software update for Pixels that focussed on an array of bug fixes.
But we now have a very good idea of what is coming on the next Pixel update, reportedly coming in March.According to Tech Advisor, Google is set to treat Pixel owners to a Feature Drop then, and with the recent release of Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1, we know what is in it.Though it may seem like a small thing, Google is finally going to allow Pixel users to switch the order of the three virtual navigation buttons to match Samsung’s default layout.Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTTo back up for a second, Android used to only be navigable using three buttons, which from left to right were back, home and recents, the latter of which shows all open apps.That is Google’s default order, which many Android phones adopted, but Samsung always opted to swap back and recents, so the buttons are recents, home and back.
On the oldest Samsung Android phones, these were physical or capacitive buttons.Article continues below ADVERTISEMENTThough the majority of Android phones now by default are navigable by swipe gestures out of the box, you can still pick three-button if you prefer.Samsung still uses its backwards three button setup by default, so as the most popular Android brand in the world, there are millions of people out there who are still using this old navigation style.Abbey Clancy tests audio cancellation feature on Google Pixel 8 Google allowing Pixel users to switch to use Samsung’s layout is a long overdue acknowledgement that people moving from Samsung to Pixel probably want to use this layout.
It’s a little surprising this is only becoming an option in 2025.Most other Android brands let you switch the order.Another big one for Pixel tinkerers is that Google will finally let you remove the At a Glance widget from your phone’s homescreen.This is the widget that shows the date and a customisable selection of time relevant information such as weather and calendar appointments.
You have never been able to remove it - until this new Android version.I am presuming this means you still can’t remove the persistent Google search bar though, which I find more annoying.Elsewhere, the new beta shows Pixels will also soon be able to control the strength of the torch on their phones, something iPhones introduced a while back.It’s handy if you don’t need the full beam.There will also be a new location sharing dot appearing as a small blue dot in the top right corner, joining the current green dot that indicates mic access.These dots pop up to show you that an app on your phone is accessing location or your mic, so you can address that if you think it shouldn’t be happening.All these updates should be coming to Pixel 6 and later, but one update is reserved for the Pixel 10 series only, as that is an upgrade to the GPU, the hardware in the phones that handles graphics performance.
There is reportedly a bump to GPU performance in this next Pixel update, which could result in performance across the board, not just for gaming.
