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The 2025 annual operating system update for Android has come and gone. With the stable rollout of Android 16 QPR2 and the December 2025 security patch, Google is moving to more frequent, minor launches.
Android 16 QPR2 launches many features and is rolling out to many devices including the Pixel 6 through Pixel 10 series, as well as the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet.
New control and accessibility features
The update improves user control and accessibility. There are newly added lock screen widgets that are accessible by swiping left for a new feed. The widgets can be seen by anyone but require authentication as a security boundary for opening any of the apps.
The new update also includes a minor tweak to the default clock display. When you tap the two-line clock on the lock screen, it becomes visually thicker and provides subtle haptic feedback.
Expanded dark theme icons
Another focus of the Android 16 QPR2 is aesthetic consistency and customisation. The update launches an Expanded Dark Theme option that allows the system to automatically apply a dark theme to most apps that do not natively support it. For dark mode lovers, Google definitely had you in mind when launching this feature for a more consistent visual experience.
Android also automatically generates themed icons for every app. It makes all your apps look aligned without having any look out of place. That’s not all for aesthetics. Notification History and Security & Privacy in Settings app now display Material 3 Expressive elements, including updated card shapes and bolder visuals that modernise the overall look.
Productivity and security features
There is a new notification organiser that automatically groups lower-priority alerts, like “Promotions” and “Social Alerts,” at the bottom of the notification shade to minimize digital clutter. For accessibility, the Live Caption toggle is now at the bottom of the volume slider so you can easily access it without opening the full menu sheet.
Parental controls is now a section of its own and no longer a part of Digital Wellbeing. Parents can manage screen time limits and schedules for their children better with a tap less of the process. The new “Enhanced HDR brightness” setting under Display allows you to fine-tune the visibility of high-dynamic-range content with an Intensity slider.
Security is not left out. The newly added Secure Lock Device state locks your device when triggered remotely, maybe via Find My Device. It requires the primary PIN or password to unlock. It also temporarily disables biometric unlock and hides quick options and notifications from the lock screen.
Author:Obiajulum Ndubuisi
Obiajulum is a tech enthusiast passionate about writing. When she isn’t writing about gadgets, she will probably be playing badminton, watching a movie, or surfing the internet.
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The coming One UI 8.5 interface unveils a lot of changes to Galaxy phones and tablets. The upgrade is expected to focus on a new glass-inspired interface, more configurable quick settings, visually separated menus, and a 3D effect for images.
It’s expected that the UI will feature iOS-like notification summaries and improvements to Now Bar as well as limit unnecessary notifications by stopping junk apps.
One UI 8.5: Device care has added a new feature, ‘Block apps with excessive ads.’ pic.twitter.com/BS1PNrG6a1 — Tarun Vats (@tarunvats33) December 1, 2025
Apps with extreme notifications can be stopped and this is possible with Samsung’s One UI 8.5 . Some screenshots of the coming One UI 8.5 details that would block apps that continuously display extreme ads were shared by a tipster Tarun Vats. The apps will feature a state that prevents them from waking themselves up, running in the background, or sending notifications. This coming update will extend this to annoying pop-ups. One UI will also make unused apps inactive.
The update is likely to stop apps that send frequent notifications that seem to be ads and One UI allows manual control over notifications. To activate the options, head over to Settings > Notifications > Advanced settings, and then activate the toggle next to Manage notification categories for each app. The One UI 8.5 beta is expected to unveil soon and more details will still unfold.
Author:Obiajulum Ndubuisi
Obiajulum is a tech enthusiast passionate about writing. When she isn’t writing about gadgets, she will probably be playing badminton, watching a movie, or surfing the internet.
