- Android 16 Beta 3 is here, which brings new features to enrolled users
- Users need a Google Pixel 6 or newer Google Pixel phone to get beta
- New features include battery health tools and accessibility options
Android 16 Beta 3 is here, bringing a handful of new features to those participating in the Android Beta program.
The new features included in Android 16 Beta 3 include a new battery health monitoring screen, new accessibility settings and new tools to keep your local networks in security.
Beta is available to users of Select Google Pixel phones enrolled in the Android Beta program: To access Android 16 Betas you need a Google Pixel 6 or newer Google Pixel hand sets such as Google Pixel 9 or Google Pixel 9 Pro.
The stable release of Android 16 is scheduled for 2nd quarter of 2025 that we are already in. If Google sticks to its goal, we must see Android 16 released in late June.
Until then, Android 16 Beta 3 users offer some nice new features to test out. Below we have rounded off the four most useful features from the latest test version of Android.
A new battery health page
Most phone users are now aware that telephone batteries are consumable components that become less effective over time as its maximum capacity is reduced with each recharge
Android 16 Beta 3 adds a practical new way to keep track of your battery health, with a new screen in settings that offer an estimate of your battery’s current capacity as a percentage of its total capacity when new.
As Android Authority notes, the New Settings page also includes links to resources that include tips on how to maintain battery health.
In a reversal of the norm, this is a feature that iPhone users have had access to for quite a long time -now Android users have more information to pair with the operating system’s existing battery -preservation features, such as adaptive charging.
Text contours
Text can be difficult to read on a smartphone screen, especially on smaller screens – fortunately the Android 16 Beta 3 adds a new accessibility feature to make it easier than ever to analyze the text on the screen.
The new feature replaces the current high-contrast text setting with outlined text and adds a high contrast background.
This feature is specifically aimed at users with visual impairment, but it is available to anyone who may want an easier time to read text on the screen.
Audio Broadcast
Another accessibility feature lands with Android 16 Beta 3 in the form of Auracast Audio Broadcast Support.
This gives users with hearing aids and earplugs paired to their smartphone to loop in public broadcasts – examples provided include airports, concerts and classrooms.
The Android developers -the blog notes that this uses Le Audio Standard, a form of bluetooth sound.
Android 16 Beta 3 also includes new tools to keep curious eyes away from your local network by changing the extent of app permits.
As it says, any app allowed to access the Internet can access devices and files on your local network – this beta changes this by requiring a separate permission to access local networks.
This should give users more control over how much of their information is shared between apps and services.
As mentioned, Android should 16 countries on the best Android phones in late June. Tell us what you want to see from Google’s next mobile operating system in the comments below.
