Android 16’s Quarterly Platform Release 1 (QPR1) Beta 3 has arrived, and it brings some noticeable improvements for Pixel users. This latest Android beta focuses on fine-tuning the user interface. Two standout changes are the return of colorful weather icons in the At a Glance widget and tweaks to the Pixel Launcher search bar, making the interface both more informative and visually cohesive. These updates not only address user feedback but also align with Android’s Material You design philosophy, ensuring that functionality and aesthetics go hand in hand.

Colorful Weather Icons Make a Comeback in At a Glance

One of the first things you’ll notice in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 is that Pixel’s At a Glance widget has its colorful weather icons back. In an earlier beta, Google had switched to a white, minimalist set of weather icons. That change wasn’t universally loved – many users found the all-white icons boring and hard to see at a glance. The minimalist look, while clean, blended into the background (especially on light wallpapers) and made it tougher to quickly interpret the weather conditions.

Google appears to have listened to user feedback and reversed this controversial design decision. Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 reintroduces the familiar colorful weather icons – a sun that’s yellow, clouds that are gray, raindrops that are blue, and so on. The difference is immediately noticeable. Instead of a tiny white icon that could be easily overlooked, you now get a vibrant icon that pops against your home screen.

Importantly, Google didn’t just add color back; they also made the weather info more readable. The font size for the temperature and forecast in At a Glance has been increased in Beta 3, so not only are the icons easier to spot, but the text is easier to read at a glance as well. The weather information now stands out more clearly from the date and day above it, whether you’re looking at your home screen, lock screen, or always-on display (AOD).

The decision to bring back colorful weather icons was not just about aesthetics – it was about functionality and user experience. Pixel users rely on the At a Glance widget to quickly see information like weather, date, and upcoming events without digging into apps. Now, the At a Glance widget feels alive and useful again. The weather icons are expressive and instantly recognizable, helping users distinguish between, say, a sunny day and a cloudy one at a quick glance without squinting.

Pixel Launcher Search Bar Gets a Themed Update

Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 doesn’t stop at the weather widget – it also polishes the Pixel Launcher’s search bar with a subtle but effective visual update. If you’ve used a Pixel phone, you’ll know the search bar at the bottom of the home screen (and at the top of the app drawer) usually includes shortcuts like the voice search microphone, Google Lens, and recently the AI Mode.

In QPR1 Beta 3, Google has tweaked the search bar’s design by changing those shortcut icons to use Material You dynamic theming. Instead of the microphone or Lens icon being painted in red, blue, green, and yellow, they now appear in a single tone that matches your system theme or wallpaper accents. In practice, this means if your Pixel’s Material You palette is, say, tinted blue or beige, then the little mic, Lens, and AI icons in the search bar will adopt those hues instead of Google’s rainbow colors.

The result is a cleaner, more unified look for the search bar. By toning down those shortcut icons to match the rest of the UI, Google effectively reduces visual clutter. Users who have all three shortcuts enabled will notice the bar feels less crowded – the colorful icons no longer compete for your attention. Instead, your eyes naturally gravitate to the colorful “G” and the search query text, which is exactly what Google wants.

The dynamic theming of the search bar shortcuts is a subtle change, but it fits well with Android’s Material You ethos of personalization. It makes the launcher feel more polished and integrated – as if the search bar is now a natural extension of your wallpaper and overall theme, rather than an oddly colorful strip at the bottom of the screen.

Why These Changes Matter for Users

These updates in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 may seem cosmetic, but they have significant implications for day-to-day usability. The return of colorful weather icons is more than just a nod to the old style – it’s a quality-of-life improvement. By bringing back color (and enlarging the text), Google is making it easier to glean information at a glance, true to the widget’s name. You no longer have to squint or decipher a tiny white outline to know if it’s raining or sunny.

Moreover, the fact that Google reversed the monochrome icon decision so quickly highlights that user feedback is crucial in these beta programs. Android enthusiasts voiced their opinions that the all-white icons were a step backward, and Google responded.

On the other hand, the search bar tweaks indicate Google’s drive for a harmonious UI experience. By extending dynamic color theming to the search bar’s icons, Google is smoothing out one of the last bits of the home screen that didn’t fully match the personalized theme. The search function remains front and center, but the supporting functions quietly fade into the same color scheme until you need them.

Additionally, these changes hint at where Android is heading. Google is fine-tuning the Pixel experience in the Android 16 QPR1 cycle so that by the time the stable update rolls out, using a Pixel will feel even more refined. These updates are likely to be part of the stable Android 16 QPR1 update expected in September 2025.

Key Takeaways

• Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 brings notable UI updates for Pixel devices.

• Colorful weather icons are back in the At a Glance widget, enhancing readability and usability.

• Google increased the font size of weather data for better visibility.

• The Pixel Launcher search bar now uses Material You dynamic colors for voice, Lens, and AI Mode icons.

• These updates improve both functionality and aesthetics, showing Google’s commitment to user feedback and design refinement.

Conclusion

Android 16 QPR1 Beta 3 delivers meaningful improvements that users will appreciate daily. The return of colorful weather icons enhances glanceability, and the search bar tweaks bring visual harmony to the home screen. Together, these changes make Android feel more lively, readable, and user-centric. As we approach the stable release, it’s clear that Google is prioritizing polish and usability in its Android evolution. Stay tuned to see how these features mature in the final rollout – and enjoy a more vibrant, seamless Android experience along the way.