Hands-on with 50+ new changes and features in Android 10 [Video]

Damien Wilde | Sep 3 2019 - 10:15 am PT

We’ve had some time delving deep into the Android Q or Android 10 betas over the past few months. Now that the full release is here we’re going to dive even deeper and share every new feature and change we’ve found in Android 10 — arguably the biggest ever release of the world’s most popular mobile OS.

While more than just cosmetic changes abound in Android 10, we’ll just be focusing on the end-user facing updates. Of course, these include the design, interface, and operation of the biggest Android overhaul in some time.

As mentioned, we’ve covered many of the new features that have been slowly introduced and refined over the Android 10 — formerly Android Q Beta program. If you’ve already been updating your device since the very first beta, then there likely won’t be any surprises right out of the gate but there may be some tweaks and enhancements you simply weren’t aware of.

Here is every new feature, alteration, design change or tweak in Android 10.

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UI Changes

System-wide dark theme – Notification toggle enables darker apps and associated menus
Updated Emergency power menu – Includes an updated icon that is much more universal
Device uptime added to Settings > About phone – Check the current uptime of your device since initial power-on
Bluetooth devices get colorful icons – Every connected device now has a pastel color icon for easier management
Data usage UI tweaks and enhancements – More informative charts and app data usage information
Updated APK installer UI – Now follows the rest of the Android 10 UI changes
New Password Autofill redesign – Rounder corners and follows the system dark theme setting
Updated gestures
- Back sensitivity gestures – Allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the back gesture
Improved share menu – Now includes more app sharing options alongside a new Material Theme
New ‘Permissions Manager’ – Manage and control all individual app permissions and access to your device data and sensors
Adaptive Notifications now has a revamped settings UI

Usability changes

Native Screen recorder – No need to install a secondary screen recording app to share your device display (not user-facing)
Chat bubbles for app notifications – Can be enabled from within Developer Settings to emulate Facebook chatheads for all notifications
Scrubber bar for media in the notification shade – Quickly scrub forward or backward within audio for more fine control
Wi-Fi Easy Connect – Scan a QR code to connect or share your Wi-Fi network
Audio balance within accessibility settings – Tweak audio balance from left to right for an optimum audio experience
Copycat Zen Mode in Digitial Wellbeing – Focus mode allows you to lock out access to select apps for a set period of time
Quick settings tile to disable device sensors – Instantly disable every device sensor including GPS, proximity sensor and more
Text selection now has haptic feedback – When selecting text your phone will now vibrate as you make a selection
Quick settings moves the edit button and carrier name
File picker gets an indicator to pull up for more options
Sleep setting named Screen timeout – Settings and options remain the same
Silent notifications now at the bottom of the notification shade –
Long press notifications options – Further options for silencing, editing settings and more
Notification channels now have a pop-up panel – Allows you to quickly change app notification settings
Wi-Fi password sharing – Quickly share your Wi-Fi network details using a QR code or alternatively the previously entered text passcode
Smart battery saver – Further options to set the level at which your phone automatically enters Battery Saver Mode
Battery saver disables when battery charged – When charging your phone now leaves Battery Saver Mode when above 90%
Night Sight now in Main Camera UI
Image previews now in Share Sheet – Get a small preview of the image you’re are sharing
Volume settings shortcut now pops up panel in slider – On-screen adjustments can be made for multiple audio settings without needing to enter device Settings
Live wallpaper previews – Allows you to see a full-screen preview of live wallpapers before applying
Active Edge feedback tweaks – On-screen animations show you more accurate pressure activation information
Notification snoozing now disabled by default – Swiping left on a notification within the notification shade only shows settings icon, can be re-enabled within Settings
Assistant gesture hints – Small semi-circle hints will intermittently show in the bottom left and right corners should you have navigation Gestures enabled. Swiping diagonally will activate the Google Assistant when in this mode
New audio output switching menu – The volume overflow menu now allows you to choose your current audio output in a pop-up menu
Smart Reply now everywhere – Contextual smart replies are now available across all apps
Android Beam removed – We’re still awaiting a replacement for the wireless NFC file sharing

Cosmetic upgrades

Estimated battery life in quick settings – Up in the top right you get an estimation of the lifespan of your device
Themes – Brought in with Android Q Beta 1, you can now modify your Pixel theme accent, font sizes, styles and icon shape
At A Glance widget on Pixel Launcher now bolder
Relocated lock icon on lock screen
Grayscale for individual apps – Part of the new Digital Wellbeing update allowing you to set grayscale settings for individual apps
App info page redesigned – Gives you a more organized page with key information in headers alongside the app icon
Ambient Display shows more music info during playback – Now shows more organized artist, track and album information
New battery and Wi-Fi icon – The new icons are hollow and fill when signal strength or battery capacity increases or decreases
Profile picture within Settings
Emergency information page redesigned – Now visible in a single page view rather than tabbed. Also allows you to add a profile image
New enter key on lock screen – Colored ‘enter’ key will follow any device accent theme settings
Bell icon on recent notifications – The most recent notification now has a small ‘bell’ icon informing you of which is the most recent
Dark theme boot animation – Will change to a light theme respecting system settings
Darker fast rotation button
Material Theme for Files app
Material Theme for Google Wallpapers
Gboard adjusts to your accent theme
Squeeze to talk now part of Active Edge – A pop-up message appears to prompt you to ‘Squeeze to talk’ and activate the Google Assistant
Ending a call now has a new tone

So that is every new feature and change you’ll see in the full release of Android 10 for Pixel phones. If you haven’t already installed it, we have a handy guide showing you just how to get the latest version on your Pixel here.

If you have been enrolled in the previous Android Q beta program, already know the new features inside out and have used them to death, then let us know your favorites down in the comments section below. Also conversely, what do you want to see from Android 11 now that the full-fat Queen Cake has been served. Let us know down there too.