Google appears to be addressing a longstanding request from Pixel users: the ability to adjust flashlight brightness. The feature, which has been observed in the latest Android 16 QPR1 beta, includes a native brightness slider for the flashlight tile in Quick Settings.
Currently, Pixel devices only provide a basic on/off toggle for the flashlight, despite the hardware’s capability for variable intensity since the Pixel 6. In contrast, other Android interfaces such as Samsung’s One UI and OnePlus’s OxygenOS have offered flashlight brightness controls for years.
Consequently, Pixel users have had to turn to third-party applications or Google’s Magnifier app as inconvenient alternatives. The new feature introduces a “Flashlight Strength” dialog, and early tests by developer Nail Sadykov have shown promise.
Once implemented, users can toggle the flashlight using the Quick Settings tile and access a brightness slider by tapping a label below the icon. If the tile is minimized, a long-press may be necessary to activate the slider.
While this update is functional, it still lacks the refinement seen in Apple’s similar implementation. This may improve as the feature nears its official release.
It’s surprising that Google has waited this long to include a function that many Android users have enjoyed for years. Although stock Android gained support for flashlight brightness control at the API level with Android 13, Google did not incorporate this feature into its own Pixel interface until now.
For Pixel users, this development is more than just a convenience—it’s about achieving parity with other devices. Having a brightness slider enhances usability, especially in low-light conditions.
The feature is expected to debut in a future Pixel Feature Drop, likely available for the Pixel 6 and newer devices later this year. This enhancement, coupled with other improvements in Android 16, gives users even more to look forward to in the upcoming update.