Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 Update: Thicker status bar on Pixel 9 and key fixes for Pixel devices

The Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 brings significant updates to Pixel devices, particularly the Pixel 9 series. A key change is the thicker status bar introduced to better accommodate the large front-facing camera cutout on the Pixel 9 Pro. This adjustment resolves an issue where the selfie camera was too close to the bottom of the status bar, which became noticeable in certain apps like YouTube, especially in Ambient Mode. Now, the status bar has been raised to provide more clearance, improving the overall visual experience.

This change is evident across the Pixel Launcher and apps, where items on the screen now sit slightly lower. The update provides a more balanced look, especially when watching videos. Users with Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro XL devices will notice the improved status bar height across the entire interface.

Key Improvements and Bug Fixes

Google has rolled out Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 to Pixel devices, marking what is likely the final major beta before the official December launch. It comes about six weeks after the previous release, addressing a range of issues. While no new images are available yet, over-the-air (OTA) updates are now live for installation.

The Quarterly Platform Releases (QPR) tend to offer more substantial changes compared to regular monthly updates, which focus mainly on bug fixes. These releases often introduce new features and user interface (UI) tweaks, ideal for refining the Android experience ahead of the next major version.

Here are some of the major fixes included in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3:

Notifications and System Issues

• Notification display bug: A bug causing notifications to appear cut off has been fixed.
• System memory paging: Some devices previously experienced crashes or restarts due to memory issues, which have now been resolved.
• Volume button functionality: Problems with volume controls when connected to certain Bluetooth devices have been fixed.

Home Screen and UI Problems

• App icons issue: A bug that caused some app icons to display as default system icons rather than their actual icons has been fixed.
• Multi-user switch issue: Users reported slow performance and occasional crashes when switching between primary and secondary users. This issue has now been addressed.
• System UI crash: A problem that caused the system interface to crash has been fixed.
• Foldable device issue: Foldable devices were experiencing blank screens when unfolded, which is now resolved.

Additional Resolved Issues

• Heads-up notifications: The update fixes an issue that sometimes prevented users from interacting with heads-up notifications.
• System crash during bug reports: The system would sometimes crash when a bug report was taken; this has now been fixed.
• Bluetooth improvements: A crash related to Bluetooth device resources has been fixed, and LE Audio volume control has been enhanced, allowing individual volume adjustments for each connected Bluetooth device.

Pixel Devices Supported

Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 is available for a wide range of Pixel devices, including:

• Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a
• Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a
• Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a
• Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold
• Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold

Users can install the update via the Android Beta Program or through manual flashing or sideloading. While factory images and OTA downloads are not yet available for some devices, updates can be accessed over the air for those enrolled in the Beta Program.

Conclusion

Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3 continues Google’s trend of refining the user experience on Pixel devices, particularly with the larger camera cutout on the Pixel 9 Pro. With significant bug fixes, Bluetooth improvements, and better UI adjustments, the beta brings Pixel devices closer to a smoother, more stable Android experience ahead of the full release in December.