Image of a Pixel phone with Android’s Quick Settings on it. Original photo by Joe Maring. Gemini Nano Banana Pro was used to modify the photo and place the screenshot on the screen.
TL;DR
- Google is updating Pixel’s vague Adaptive Connectivity with clearer controls in Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.
- There’s a new “Auto-switch to mobile network” toggle that keeps you online when Wi-Fi is weak, but may use more data.
- The “Optimize network for battery life” toggle prioritizes efficiency to help extend battery life.
Finding the right balance between a strong connection and a battery that lasts all day has always been tricky for smartphones. For years, Google’s Adaptive Connectivity was a simple switch that worked in the background, but it didn’t explain what it was doing. Now, with the latest Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2 update, Pixel phones are getting a more detailed version of that feature.
The main change is that instead of a single on/off switch for Adaptive Connectivity, there are now two separate toggles, each with its own purpose. Both are turned on by default, as a Reddit user noticed (via 9to5Google).