Android 15 is still very new, but Google has just launched the first preview version of Android 16, a preview which, normally, should not be released until next year. The reason for this advanced release is that from 2025, Google will shake up the update schedule for its operating system. Instead of launching Android 16 in the third quarter, it will launch the next version in the second quarter in order to align with the agendas of smartphone manufacturers.
In any case, as developers explore this preview version of Android 16, we gradually discover the new features that Google should offer in the next big update. For example, while delving into this preview, developer Mishaal Rahman discovered a new feature called “Even Dimmer” in the brightness settings.
In an article published on Android Authority, he explains that this feature allows you to lower the screen brightness to an extremely low level. If this means anything to you, it’s because Google already offers a similar feature called “Extra Dim”. However, Mishaal Rahman explains that to activate Extra Dim, you have to go to Android’s accessibility settings (a process that involves several interactions). But on Android 16, Even Dimmer can be activated directly on the brightness adjustment bar, which makes the functionality more accessible. As a reminder, lowering the brightness can reduce eye fatigue and improve sleep quality when using a smartphone at night.
Android 16: for the moment, a preview for developers
As a reminder, the preview version of Android 16 is intended for developers. They can now use this preview to see how their applications behave on the new system. For features that will bring concrete changes for the user, you will certainly have to wait for the beta versions, which will arrive later, for Google to make a presentation.
Otherwise, in his article, Mishaal Rahman indicates that for the moment, the Even Dimmer functionality only seems available on the Pixel 9, while the preview of Android 16 is also available on the following models:
- Pixel 6 and 6 Pro
- Pixel 6a
- Pixel 7 and 7 Pro
- Pixel 7a
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel Tablet
- Pixel 8 and 8 Pro
- Pixel 8a
- Pixel 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, and 9 Pro Fold
- Google recently released the preview version of Android 16
- And a developer has just discovered a change that will make it easier to adjust the brightness to reduce eye fatigue and promote good sleep
- For the moment, the Android 16 preview targets developers, but Google should later announce features that bring concrete changes for the user
