Google is working on a flashy new feature for Pixel phones ‣ Diverse Daily

Summary

Google appears to be working on a native flashlight intensity slider UI for Android.
Until now, Pixel phones haven’t had a way to adjust flashlight intensity out of the box.
The potential feature is referenced in the latest Android 16 QPR Beta 2 build, as uncovered by Nail Sadykov on Telegram.

As of late, Google has been all hands on deck when it comes to Android development. The company recently released the stable version of Android 16 to the world, as well as a June feature drop specifically for Pixel users. The search giant’s upcoming Quarterly Platform Release (QPR) 1 update, which is expected to arrive sometime in the coming weeks, will introduce a dramatic Material 3 Expressive redesign and various desktop mode enhancements to Android 16, as well.

In the midst of all these exciting software developments, one small-yet-flashy Android feature appears to be in the works for Pixel owners, and it’s one that I’d describe as being long overdue. As uncovered by Nail Sadykov on Telegram (via Android Authority), the latest Beta 2 release of Android 16 QPR1 makes reference to a ‘Flashlight Strength’ feature within its code base. In particular, the code reads: Flashlight Strength

While nothing has been officially confirmed by Google, it can be surmised that the company is working on bringing an LED-intensity slider UI to the Android OS at a system level. This is great news, as it would allow more granular control over the intensity of emitted light when using a Pixel phone as a flashlight.

It’s unclear whether Google’s implementation will be as robust as Apple’s, or if it’ll end up being a simple multistep intensity slider.

At the moment, most Android phone makers already provide an LED intensity slider through their software skin. Until now, however, they’ve generally relied on custom implementations. If Google adds the feature to the ‘stock’ version of the Android Open Source Project (AOSP), it’ll unify the functionality across the entire ecosystem. It’s surprising that the feature isn’t already available out of the box for Pixel users, considering its ubiquity across competing mobile operating systems.

Of course, the competition isn’t sitting still: In last year’s iOS 18 release, Apple one-upped the competition by introducing an even more adjustable LED flash adjustment tool to the iPhone, with the ability to not only adjust intensity, but also beam width. It’s unclear whether Google’s implementation will be as robust as Apple’s, or if it’ll end up being a simple multistep intensity slider.

Thanks to Material 3 Expressive, I smile every time I pick up my Pixel

Originally, I wasn’t a fan of Google’s Material 3 Expressive face lift – but after using it in person, I’m officially sold on Android’s new look.

The groundwork has already been laid

A user-facing flashlight slider for Android is inevitable

Pocket-lint / Google

Technically speaking, Google laid the foundations for LED intensity control all the way back in 2022’s Android 13 release. Since then, it’s been possible for developers to tap into the feature, making it all the more strange that it’s not already a user-facing option on Pixel phones.

The Google-published Magnifier app, which serves as an accessibility tool, already offers its own flashlight intensity slider, but I’ve been relying on the third-party Lumolight app from the Play Store to satisfy my LED intensity itch. This latter solution works like a charm on my Pixel 9 Pro, and it should work equally as reliably on any phone running Android 14 or newer. Best of all, it’s filled with additional options and uses Material You theming.

Of course, just because a feature is referenced within the code base of a beta software build, doesn’t mean that it’ll necessarily see the light of day. I feel confident that a flashlight intensity slider for the Pixel is an inevitability, but it’s hard to say when the feature might actually land on devices in stable form.