Tag: pixel

According to EU data, Samsung phones support twice as many charges as the Pixel and iPhone.
We are especially concerned about battery health because Google recently announced that its Battery Performance Program for the Pixel 6a will begin next week. Although it may seem strange to consider your smartphone a consumable, that is essentially what it is, and each time we put one of our gadgets through a complete charge cycle, the batteries get a little worse for wear. You’ll start to notice those losses if you repeat that process hundreds and hundreds of times.

Not all batteries are made equal, which is something that the whole controversy surrounding the Pixel 4a and now Pixel 6a has really brought home to us. The issue is that we typically only hear about battery-operated devices that cause issues years later. When you first buy a phone, isn’t there a good way to set your expectations for battery life? We recently received one, as expected.

The European Union, and more especially its new energy label program, is to thank for this regulation, as it is for many other recent consumer-benefitting smartphone laws. These marks help convey power efficiency, hardware durability, and—most importantly for today’s discussion—a rating for the number of charge cycles the phone should be able to withstand, just like you might see an Energy Star rating on a new appliance.

Are you curious about how the battery life of your phone stacks up against the competition? We created this graphic to illustrate how many charge cycles these labels promote for a few well-known products because we have been curious ourselves.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Streamline your day with an assistant that gets you. Ask it to Google search for a pet-friendly vegan restaurant nearby and text it to your friend— your Galaxy S25 Ultra handles multiple tasks with a single ask.
~~$1,419.99~~$1,219.99Amazon

Google
- 1,000 charge cycles: Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9a, Pixel 8a
Samsung
- 2,000 charge cycles: Galaxy S25, Galaxy S25 Plus, Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25 Edge, Galaxy S24, Galaxy S24 FE, Galaxy A56, Galaxy A36, Galaxy XCover7, Galaxy XCover7 Pro, Galaxy Tab Active5, Galaxy Tab Active5 Pro, Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, Galaxy Tab S10 FE, Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus
- 1,200 charge cycles: Galaxy A26, Galaxy A16
Fairphone
- 1,300 charge cycles: Fairphone 5
- 1,000 charge cycles: Fairphone (Gen. 6)
Motorola
- 1,200 charge cycles: Edge 50, Edge 50 Neo
- 1,000 charge cycles: Razr 60, Razr 60, Ultra, Edge, 60, Edge 60 Pro, Moto G86, Moto G75, Moto G56, Moto G35, Moto G15, Moto G15 Power, Moto G05, Moto E15
- 800 charge cycles: Moto G55
Nothing
- 1,400 charge cycles: Phone 3, Phone 3a, Phone 3a Pro, CMF Phone 2 Pro,
OnePlus
- 1,200 charge cycles: OnePlus 13R
- 1,000 charge cycles: OnePlus 13
Sony
- 1,400 charge cycles: Xperia 1 VII
All of these numbers have been confirmed by the European Product Registry for Energy Labeling of the EU. We’ve gone through the entire database and included even more gadgets you might find useful, thanks to Reddit user FragmentedChicken for compiling an early version of this list.

Wondering how things stand with the batteries on the other side of the platform fence? We also looked up the ratings for Apple products, and every device in the EU system, including the iPad Air M3 and iPhone 16 Pro Max, has a 1,000 charge cycle rating.

Right now, the vast majority of devices fall in the 1,000–1,400 cycle range. So how did Samsung manage to push so many of its phones and tablets up to 2,000 cycles? That is a very, very good question, and we would love to see a more technical analysis into how these numbers are put together, and just how accurately they may reflect real-world conditions. And what impact does different battery chemistry, like the silicon-carbon battery in the OnePlus 13, have on the cycle count?

This database offers a great jumping-off point, but we would sure love to see a whole lot more battery information provided by the manufacturers behind these devices.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Streamline your day with an assistant that gets you. Ask it to Google search for a pet-friendly vegan restaurant nearby and text it to your friend— your Galaxy S25 Ultra handles multiple tasks with a single ask.
~~$1,419.99~~$1,219.99Amazon

Stay connected with the latest from Droid Tools—follow us on X @droid_tools, like our page on Facebook, check out our updates on Instagram, and follow us on Google News for real-time news, device tips, and mobile tech insights.
July 4, 2025
How you can find out if the battery in your Pixel 6a is broken.

Some of the greatest Android phones available today were developed by the Pixel 9 series. However, this kind of achievement takes time, as Google has had a number of unsuccessful phone releases in the past. Although they weren’t all awful, they lacked the sophistication of more recent models.

We are now beginning to witness how durable these phones from the previous generation are, even if the majority will have switched from those older models to something new. The brand replaced the Pixel 7a’s battery due to problems, and the Pixel 4a received a surprise upgrade that decreased battery life. Additionally, we learned last month that the Pixel 6a would also receive a battery update.

You can check to see whether you’re affected

Having said that, Google has officially announced its Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program, which is scheduled to debut on July 8 (via Droid Life). Droid Life had previously reported that Google has withdrawn firmware for the Pixel 6a. Regarding the specifics, Google has concluded that an upgrade is necessary for some Pixel 6a smartphones to “lower the risk of potential battery overheating.”

This update will now lower battery capacity and charging performance, much like Google’s earlier moves, although it will only impact devices that have completed more than 400 charging cycles. Once more, you will only receive this update if you have a device that is impacted. This update won’t be required for all Pixel 6a phones.

Naturally, this is a rather awkward situation, and it seems like Google is making amends by providing “a repair at no cost to you, a cash payment, or a Google Store hardware discount credit.” To find out if you qualifies, you must input your IMEI on the support website.

You can visit a support center in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, Japan, and India if you would like to have your battery changed and your device is eligible. In order to receive assistance, people in the US and India will also be able to mail in their device.

It will be disheartening for Pixel owners to go through this, but at least Google is making some efforts to make sure that its previous devices aren’t putting users at risk of any major problems. Additionally, it offers a range of options that will enable impacted consumers to receive the assistance they need.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Pixel 9 Pro XL with Gemini is the most powerful Pixel yet; it has a pro-level camera and it’s engineered by Google, so it gets the best of Google AI first
~~$1,099.00~~$949.95Amazon

Of course, we have some advice to assist you protect the battery inside your device if you have a different phone or tablet and want to be proactive about keeping it healthy.

July 3, 2025

Android 16: complete list of Samsung, Xiaomi, and other eligible devices

The formal rollout of Android 16’s stable version has started, with Google’s Pixel smartphones leading the way. Other significant Android manufacturers are getting ready to release their own unique skins and upgrade schedules in tandem with the latest OS version. The most important question for users anxiously anticipating the update is: will my device get the update? This is the list of devices that are compatible with Android 16.

We have put up a thorough list of smartphones and tablets from well-known manufacturers, like Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, and Oppo, that should be compatible with the Android 16 update in order to assist in answering this question.

Google Pixel Android 16 Eligible devices

As always, Pixel devices are first in line and the rollout is already underway for these models.

Device Series	Eligible Models
Pixel 9 Series	9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a
Pixel 8 Series	8, 8 Pro, 8a
Pixel 7 Series	7, 7 Pro, 7a
Pixel 6 Series	6, 6 Pro, 6a
Pixel Foldables	Pixel Fold
Pixel Tablet	Pixel Tablet

Samsung Galaxy Android 16 Eligible devices

Samsung offers one of the most extensive portfolios, and a large number of its devices are expected to receive the update.

Series	Eligible Devices
Galaxy S	S25, S24, S23, S22 series & S21 FE
Galaxy Z	Z Fold/Flip 6, Z Fold/Flip 5, Z Fold/Flip 4, Z Fold SE
Galaxy Tab	Tab S10, S9, S8 series, Tab S6 Lite (2024)
Galaxy A	A73, A5x, A3x, A2x, A1x, A0x series (from A_3 to A_6 generations)
Galaxy M	M5x, M3x, M1x, M0x series (from M_3 to M_6 generations)
Galaxy F	F5x, F34, F1x, F0x series (from F_4 to F_6 generations)
Other	Galaxy C55, XCover 7, Tab Active 5

Xiaomi, Redmi, and Poco Android 16 Eligible devices

Xiaomi’s multi-brand strategy means a wide array of devices are in line for the HyperOS skin based on Android 16.

Brand / Series	Eligible Devices
Xiaomi	15, 14, 13 series (including T, Pro, Ultra models)
Xiaomi Civi	Civi 5 Pro, Civi 4 Pro, Civi 3
Xiaomi Pad	Pad 7 series, Pad 6 series (Pro, Max, S Pro)
Redmi Note	Note 14 series, Note 13 series
Redmi K	K80 series, K70 series, K60 series
Redmi	14 series, 13 series, A4 series
Redmi Pad	Pad 2, Pad Pro, Pad SE
Poco	F7, F6, X7, X6, M7, M6, C7x series

Motorola

Motorola is expected to update its recent flagship and mid-range devices.

Series	Eligible Devices
Razr	Razr 2025 series, Razr+ 2024, Razr 60/50 series
Edge	Edge 2025, Edge 60/50 series, Edge 40 Pro
Moto G	G Power/Stylus 2025, G86/85, G75, G56/55
ThinkPhone	ThinkPhone 25

Oppo

Oppo will likely bring Android 16 to its premium Find series and popular Reno line.

Series	Eligible Devices
Find N	Find N5, N3, N2 series
Find X	Find X8, X7, X6 series
Reno	Reno 14, 13, 12, 11 series
F Series	F29, F27, F25 Pro
K Series	K13, K12 series
Pad Series	Pad 4 Pro, Pad 3 series, Pad SE

Other Major Brands (Expected)

Brand	Eligible Devices (Summary)
OnePlus	13, 12, 11 series, Nord 4/3, Nord CE 4, Open, Pad series
Vivo	X200, X100, X90 series, V50/40/30 series, T4/3 series, recent Y series, Pad 5/3
iQOO	13, 12, 11 series, Z10/9 series, Neo 10/9 series, Pad series
Nothing	Phone (2), (2a), (2a)+, Phone (3a) series, CMF Phone 1/2 Pro

Other manufacturers may need a few weeks to incorporate Android 16 with their own user interfaces, such as One UI, HyperOS, and ColorOS, while Google Pixel phones are currently getting the upgrade. The majority of brands are anticipated to start releasing stable versions in July 2025, with widespread beta testing set to commence shortly.

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June 25, 2025

Pixel 10 comes with better finger print tech and upgraded wireless charging

According to a recent leak, the Pixel 10 is expected to come with two major upgrades this year: a better ultrasonic fingerprint sensor and support for Qi2 wireless charging.

Faster fingerprint recognition

When Google eventually abandoned the sluggish and unreliable optical fingerprint sensors of earlier generations in favor of ultrasonic ones with the Pixel, it made a significant shift. However, it appears that the fingerprint experience will be much better with the incoming Pixel.

According to the research, when working with damp or dirty fingers, the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor will provide superior speed and responsiveness.

It’s good to note that Google isn’t discontinuing the fingerprint sensor even though their face unlock system has supported Class 3 biometric verification since the Pixel 8, which makes it safe enough for delicate operations like digital payments and banking.

Pixel devices provide consumers with more flexibility and convenience based on their requirements and surroundings by providing both fingerprint and face unlock. Google frequently teases Apple with humorous advertisements, and I anticipate one involving these biometric technologies after the release of the Pixel 10 and Pixel 10 Pro.

Qi2 wireless charging

The Pixel 10’s support for Qi2 is another noteworthy improvement. Sadly, even though the Pixel 10 will be Qi2-ready, customers will still require a magnetic case that works with it in order to fully benefit from it.

Companies like Samsung and OnePlus, who have also introduced Qi2 support this year, have used a similar strategy. Fun fact: Although the Apple iPhone 16e does not fully support Qi2 fast charging, it is technically compatible with MagSafe.

A new look is also being applied to the Pixel 10 series. The Pro models will, as usual, keep to more subdued colors like Sterling Gray and Smoky Green, while the base Pixel 10 will be offered in Ultra Blue, Limoncello, Iris, and Midnight. The colors of the foldable Pixel 10 Pro Fold will match those of the standard Pro variants.

Google Pixel 9 Pro
Pixel 9 Pro with Gemini is the most powerful Pixel yet, and now comes in two sizes; it has a pro-level camera and it’s engineered by Google, so it gets the best of Google AI first
$998.23Amazon

The Pixel 10 series will reportedly be unveiled by Google on August 20. Pre-orders will begin that same day. Beginning on August 28, the phones will be on sale.

In addition to Qi2 and an improved fingerprint sensor, the Pixel 10 series is anticipated to use Google’s first entirely proprietary processor (Tensor G5), which offers significant improvements in terms of performance, faster biometric systems, and next-generation charging technology.

June 24, 2025
Google says AOSP not being ‘discontinued’ even if Pixel change impacting custom ROMs

Google withheld the release of the Pixel device trees and hardware repositories, which are crucial for makers of custom ROMs, when Android 16 was released earlier this week. Some began to speculate that “AOSP is being discontinued” as a result of this. Despite Google’s denials, the Pixel modification appears to be deliberate.

Google made the source code for Android 16 available to the Android Open Source Project on Tuesday. In a significant departure from previous releases, the Pixel device trees and other code that were utilized to modify the AOSP release to fit particular (made by) Google hardware were not made available.

Custom Android ROMs will struggle to produce their OS updates without the Pixel hardware repos, which contain the device trees, driver binaries, and other components. Security (vulnerability) researchers may also be affected by this.

As a result, some community members conjectured that AOSP was being phased out. Seang Chau, the vice president and general manager of Android, said on Wednesday night that “AOSP is NOT going away” in general. Google has stated that it will continue to be “dedicated to AOSP updates,” speaking directly to developers.

The Android team’s statement does appear to indicate that Pixel device trees will no longer be available. A “reference target” that is “independent of any particular hardware, even those from Google” is what AOSP hopes to provide in the future.

AOSP needs a reference target that is flexible, configurable, and affordable – independent of any particular hardware, including those from Google. For years, developers have been building Cuttlefish (available on GitHub as the reference device for the project) and GSI targets from source. We continue to make those available for testing and development purposes.

Once more, Google is “dedicated to AOSP,” but the future will be more difficult for people who run custom ROMs.

Stay connected with the latest from Droid Tools—follow us on X @droid_tools, like our page on Facebook, check out our updates on Instagram, and follow us on Google News for real-time news, device tips, and mobile tech insights.

June 15, 2025
Battery Health Assistance coming to all Pixel devices

As seen by the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 update, the company is getting ready to expand the Battery Health Assistance function, which made its debut with the Pixel 9a, to additional Pixel devices. Serious problems including battery overheating and even melting during charging have recently been reported with certain Pixel phones. The tech giant is working hard to stop this, though.

Android 16 beta update brings ‘Battery Health Assistance’ feature

For those who are unaware, early this year, Google released the Pixel 9a with Battery Health Assistance, a charge management tool. This feature cannot be manually disabled because it is enabled by default.

Google’s support page states that Battery Health Assistance aids in controlling the long-term performance and health of a phone’s battery. Serious problems like battery deterioration, overheating, and even melting when charging can be avoided with its assistance.

After applying the Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 update on their phones, a few users became aware of the new feature. To put it briefly, Google intends to eventually extend this feature to older Pixel models.

Google defines the feature as follows; ”Lithium-ion batteries are consumable components that eventually require replacement. As your battery ages, Battery health assistance helps manage its long-term health and performance. This software adjusts the battery’s maximum voltage in stages. It starts at 200 charge cycles and continues gradually until 1000 charge cycles. This helps stabilize battery performance and aging.”

Images posted by customers who have tested Battery Health Assistance indicate that, unlike the Pixel 9a, the feature won’t be required. In other words, if you want to, you can turn it off. Google advises, however, that you keep it enabled at all times to preserve the functionality and health of your battery.

It’s crucial to have this feature to keep your battery from dying too soon.

On Pixel phones, the Battery Health Assistance feature may somewhat shorten battery life and charging speed. In the long run, nevertheless, it is really useful and protects the battery. This might stop the recent battery problems that some Pixel variants have been having.

Many stories of earlier Pixel models burning and even melting their batteries after charging have surfaced in recent months. Arielle, a user, even complained last week that her Google Pixel 6a melted and caught fire while charging. It is noteworthy that she was utilizing a third-party, non-OEM charger.

Google Pixel 9a with Gemini
Google Pixel 9a is engineered by Google with more than you expect, for less than you think; like Gemini, your built-in AI assistant, the incredible Pixel Camera, and an all-day battery and durable design
~~$499.00~~$449.00Amazon

Stay connected with the latest from Droid Tools—follow us on X @droid_tools, like our page on Facebook, check out our updates on Instagram, and follow us on Google News for real-time news, device tips, and mobile tech insights.

June 13, 2025
Google Tensor G5 comes on 3nm build and a new GPU

According to reports, Google’s Pixel 10 series will use the Tensor G5 as its next processor. According to reports, it will be manufactured under the codename “Laguna” under a multi-year agreement with TSMC, which would completely replace Samsung. There have been major architectural modifications in this flagship processor.

According to reports, the Google Tensor G5 has an 8-core CPU and makes use of TSMC’s 3nm node. One Cortex-X4 prime core at 3.4 GHz, three to five Cortex-A725 performance cores at roughly 2.85 GHz, and two to four Cortex-A525 efficiency cores at 2.4 GHz are typical configurations, though reports vary significantly. Using the Cortex-A725, the design prioritizes efficiency and long-term performance, which is further improved by the 3nm technology. The goal of switching to more modern efficiency cores is to enhance the user experience in general.

A single-core score of roughly 1323 and a multi-core score of roughly 4004 are displayed in the leaked Geekbench 6 results. These are preliminary findings, but they fall short of the Tensor G4’s scores (about 1950 single-core and 4741 multi-core).

There is potential for improvement through software optimization, as indicated by projected scores of 2200 single-core and 5700 multi-core, as well as a company objective of maybe surpassing 2300 single-core and 7600+ multi-core. Early software optimization or certain test setups could be the cause of the initial lower scores. In early incarnations, the emphasis on a more efficient production process may put power efficiency ahead of peak performance.

Despite architectural modifications and the switch to a 3nm technology, early benchmarks indicate that the Tensor G5 might not much outperform its predecessor in Geekbench 6. The particular setups of the testing devices or early software optimization may be to blame for this. In early generations, the shift to a more efficient manufacturing process may put power efficiency ahead of peak performance benefits.

The Tensor G5 is anticipated to include a dual-core Imagination Technologies IMG DXT-48-1536 GPU clocked at 1.1 GHz, whereas the Google Tensor G4 used an Arm Mali-G715 MP7 GPU. This marks a substantial shift away from Google’s prior dependence on Arm Mali GPUs. This points to a change in strategy, either motivated by discontent with Mali’s performance in some domains or a keen interest in the capabilities of the IMG DXT.

The highest level in the Ray Tracing Level System (RTLS), Level 4 ray tracing, is supported by the IMG DXT GPU, allowing for powerful visuals with low power consumption. This attempts to give the Pixel 10 more lifelike and captivating visual and gaming experiences. Users that value visual quality and game performance will find Level 4 ray tracing’s cutting-edge visuals appealing.

Power efficiency is a key component of the IMG DXT, and its successor, the DXTP, offers up to 20% more power efficiency (FPS/W). Although DXT is used by the Tensor G5, this suggests a common pattern in Imagination’s designs. By switching to IMG DXT, the Pixel 10’s graphics subsystem may become more power efficient, which could solve a persistent problem with Tensor-based devices’ short battery life. A major benefit would be increased power efficiency over the Mali-G715 MP7.

Stay connected with the latest from Droid Tools—follow us on X @droid_tools, like our page on Facebook, check out our updates on Instagram, and follow us on Google News for real-time news, device tips, and mobile tech insights.

June 11, 2025
Android 16 is now available, comes new camera features and live notification updates.

Since Android 16 is now accessible on compatible phones, Google has made it widely available. According to the business, the OS will be preinstalled on new devices in “the next months.”

The update has a number of noteworthy features. Live updates in alerts may be the most significant. People won’t have to keep opening and closing the app to figure out why a burrito seems to be stuck four streets away thanks to this change, which will put a progress indicator in the notification for things like ride-sharing and food delivery.

Also, to cut down on clutter and pings, alerts from the same app will now be automatically grouped together. With a native control option, LE audio hearing aids are now supported. When utilizing one of these hearing aids in noisy environments, users can easily switch to the microphone on their phone for crisper audio.

Android 16 offers more protection for users

Users may now be protected from “online attacks, malicious apps, risky websites, fraudulent calls and more in just a tap” thanks to Google’s integration of all its security capabilities. New scam detection tools that were teased back in May are part of this.

A significant amount of new features are being added to shutterbugs, such as hybrid auto exposure, automatic night mode scene identification, and more accurate color temperature adjustments. Android 16 has integration with the premium Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec, and UltraHDR photos have been enhanced with support for HEIC encoding.

Although it isn’t yet ready, Google is finally introducing desktop windowing to Android. Android 16 QPR 3 Beta 2 is now previewing that feature, which will be made accessible to the general public later this year.

A nice upgrade to the Android environment with some useful improvements is also available. Improved RCS group conversations with personalized icons and thread muting capabilities are part of this. The AI-enhanced image editor in Google Photos now suggests possible adjustments. Wear OS devices can now pay for transit fares without opening a separate app, while Emoji Kitchen is getting additional sticker combinations.

Lastly, Google has provided information about the June Pixel Drop. Among the new features are more expressive video captioning and a Pixel VIPs widget that shows details about favored contacts.

Stay connected with the latest from Droid Tools—follow us on X @droid_tools, like our page on Facebook, check out our updates on Instagram, and follow us on Google News for real-time news, device tips, and mobile tech insights.

June 10, 2025
#dealalert – Pixel Watch 3 gets a nice discount from Amazon

This is the ideal moment to purchase a brand-new Pixel Watch 3 if you’ve been searching for one. You can choose the model of Google’s flagship watch that best suits your needs, preferences, and price range thanks to Amazon’s ongoing excellent discounts.

As of this writing, for example, all Wi-Fi models are on sale for $50 off, making them as cheap as $350. Additionally, you can choose the paint job that you like most because all color selections are priced the same.

Google Pixel Watch 3 – Wi-FI
The Google Pixel Watch 3 is designed for performance, with advanced fitness from Fitbit; the 41mm screen is twice as bright and 10% larger than before, making it easier to see your stats and info
~~$349.99~~$299.99Amazon

Feel free to purchase one of the LTE variants if you would prefer to be able to make calls while leaving your Pixel phone at home. All cellular-powered models of the watch are delightfully discounted and on sale for $70 off, much like the Wi-Fi versions.

It’s important to note that Amazon frequently offers similar price reductions for the Pixel Watch 3. They show up, stay for a few weeks, then fade away for a bit before resurfacing. However, should this deter you from buying one of the top smartwatches available?

Even though the $50 and $70 discounts are sporadic, they nevertheless allow you to upgrade your smartwatch game by obtaining the best Pixel Watch at a lower cost. And simply have a peek! It looks stunning with its dome-like form and may work well with both a pricey suit and casual wear.

Naturally, as a direct competitor to the Apple Watch Series 10 and Galaxy Watch 7, its many features complement its attractive appearance. In fact, it has a temperature sensor and all the other health-tracking capabilities that a smartwatch of this kind should have. Additionally, the readings are accurate because Fitbit’s tracking powers it.

Numerous apps will also be available to you. You can download apps straight to your wearable as the watch, which runs Wear OS, supports Google’s Play Store. Additionally, the battery has a good lifespan, easily lasting a full day between charges. Just bear in mind that, as is quite typical with this kind of smartwatch, you’ll probably need to recharge it every night.

Google Pixel Watch 3 – LTE
Know what your body is ready for each day with readiness; it uses sleep, resting heart rate, and heart rate variability to show if you’re ready to take on a workout or prioritize recovery.
~~$449.99~~$379.99Amazon

June 5, 2025
Wear OS 6 will allow AOD controls

Due to limits in its actual “always-on” functioning, the always-on display (AOD) mode on Android smartwatches hasn’t always been the smoothest feature. This seems to be fixed in Wear OS 6, which would allow for more usage even when the watch’s display is off.

Wear OS’s always-on display mode hasn’t changed much. At the moment, the majority of apps only show the clock; only Spotify and Maps completely adjust to the mode. This is a major reduction in productivity, particularly when you want to control or modify something on your watch without waking the screen completely.

Control more from directly from AOD in Wear OS 6

In Wear OS 5.1, Google is already developing a feature dubbed “Force Global AOD” that, as the name implies, attempts to compel active app displays to switch to an always-on display state. Although it is presently undergoing developer testing, the firm has started to share updates regarding the feature, so we can now anticipate its arrival with Wear OS 6.

Google claims to be offering a complete solution with seamless cross-device integration of this capability as part of Wear OS 6. Google gave an example of the existing music control interface, which will change to a black-and-white user interface in AOD mode when utilizing the Material 3 Expressive design. Importantly, the rich and whimsical shapes of many elements, including text and navigational buttons, will be preserved in this AOD version.

How this will seem in other apps that eventually make use of Google’s Material 3 Expressive’s “glanceable UI” is yet unknown. For apps that don’t support always-on display natively, there might be a default screen.

Google Pixel Watches and Samsung Galaxy Watches stand to gain the most from this improved always-on display, which will significantly improve Wear OS user experience. With this enhancement, Wear OS smartwatches may even surpass Apple’s watchOS, which does not yet have a real always-on display mode.

Later this year, Wear OS 6 is anticipated to be made available to compatible Android smartwatches. Improved battery life and performance are two of the improvements in the upcoming main Android wristwatch OS, in addition to the actual AOD. In keeping with Google’s long-term strategy, Gemini will also become more deeply integrated into the system.

Google Pixel Watch 3
The Google Pixel Watch 3 is designed for performance, with advanced fitness from Fitbit[1,2]; the 41mm screen is twice as bright and 10% larger than before, making it easier to see your stats and info
~~$349.99~~$299.99Amazon

Stay connected with the latest from Droid Tools—follow us on X @droid_tools, like our page on Facebook, check out our updates on Instagram, and follow us on Google News for real-time news, device tips, and mobile tech insights.

June 3, 2025