Google’s Pixel lineup is gearing up for another exciting update, and while the Pixel 10 is just around the corner—likely launching this August—there’s a fresh breath of innovation coming with Android 16. One of the standout features in this update is the introduction of Always-On Display (AOD) wallpapers, now reimagined as “Ambient Display” with wallpaper support. This new feature has been spotted in the Android 16 QPR Beta 1, and I’ve had the chance to test it out on the Pixel 9a. Here’s everything you need to know about this promising upgrade.
Table of Contents
- 📱 Pixel 10 and Android 16: What’s on the Horizon?
- 🌙 Ambient Display: Always-On Display Gets a Wallpaper Upgrade
- 🖼️ How the Ambient Display Wallpaper Works
- ⚙️ Customization and Battery Considerations
- 🔍 Will Ambient Display Wallpaper Be a Pixel 10 Exclusive?
- 💬 Final Thoughts: Why I’m Excited About Ambient Display Wallpapers
- ❓ FAQs about Ambient Display Wallpapers on Pixel
📱 Pixel 10 and Android 16: What’s on the Horizon?
The Pixel 10 launch is imminent, with rumors pointing to an August release. True to Google’s style, leaks have already started flooding in—including images of what appears to be the Pixel 10 commercial shoot, confirmed by the storyboard bearing the Pixel 10 name. Interestingly, the Pixel 10 isn’t expected to be a drastic redesign from the Pixel 9, which is no bad thing. The Pixel 9 was one of the best-designed phones last year, and Google nailed the aesthetic and functionality.
While the hardware might not see major changes, the real excitement lies in the software with Android 16. The first QPR Beta has been available for about a week and gives us a sneak peek at some UI enhancements, particularly with Material You’s expressive design language. One of the key visual updates is the increased use of blur effects throughout the interface—from notifications to the quick settings menu and even the app drawer.
🌙 Ambient Display: Always-On Display Gets a Wallpaper Upgrade
One area where blur hasn’t been applied yet is the Always-On Display wallpaper—mainly because, until now, Pixel phones haven’t officially supported AOD wallpapers. But this is about to change. Google is experimenting with upgrading the Always-On Display to what they’re calling “Ambient Display,” which supports wallpaper blurring and dimming effects.
This concept isn’t entirely new—Apple’s iPhones and Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series have had wallpaper-enabled always-on displays for a while, and I’ve been a big fan of that feature on both devices. In fact, if you think back to 2018 with Android 9 on the Pixel 3, this feature was briefly present before being removed.
Over the past few months, Google has been quietly working to bring this feature back, and I’ve managed to get it running on the Pixel 9a thanks to some help from Michelle. The result? It looks fantastic and feels like a long-awaited addition that Pixel users have been missing.
🖼️ How the Ambient Display Wallpaper Works
The version I’m testing is an early build, but it already showcases the core experience nicely. The wallpaper remains visible on the lock screen but is blurred and then dimmed for the Ambient Display. Notification icons appear on top, maintaining functionality without compromising aesthetics.
When there are no notifications, the clock stays fully visible and centered, making it easy to glance at the time. Once notifications arrive, the clock shifts to the top-left corner but remains readable. This is very similar to how the Galaxy S25 Ultra handles its always-on wallpapers, which is a design I appreciate.
However, it’s important to note that the current build is quite buggy. You might notice flashing or jumping on the display, which likely stems from the feature not being fully supported on the Pixel 9a hardware yet. This is understandable given it’s still in development.
⚙️ Customization and Battery Considerations
For those worried about battery drain—which is a common concern with always-on wallpapers—Google has thoughtfully included a toggle in the settings. You can easily switch off the Ambient Display wallpaper if you prefer the traditional always-on display without wallpaper support. This option respects user preference and helps manage battery life effectively.
🔍 Will Ambient Display Wallpaper Be a Pixel 10 Exclusive?
Digging into internal code reveals that Ambient Display wallpaper support might be limited to specific display types. This raises the possibility that some current Pixel models, including the Pixel 9 series, may not officially support this feature. If true, this could make Ambient Display wallpaper a Pixel 10 exclusive at launch.
Pixel phones use a special low-power state when the always-on display is active, and factors like refresh rate or color reproduction could affect whether this new Ambient Display can work properly on existing devices. We’ll hopefully get more clarity with subsequent QPR beta releases, which should reveal supported devices and whether this feature remains exclusive to the Pixel 10.
💬 Final Thoughts: Why I’m Excited About Ambient Display Wallpapers
I’m genuinely excited to see Ambient Display wallpapers coming to Pixel phones. It’s a feature that enhances customization and modernizes the always-on display experience, something Pixel devices have been missing for a while. Having enjoyed this on the Galaxy S25 Ultra, I know how much it can improve the lock screen’s look and feel.
What do you think about this feature? Are you looking forward to Ambient Display wallpapers on your Pixel? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to hear your opinion.
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❓ FAQs about Ambient Display Wallpapers on Pixel
Q: What is the Ambient Display wallpaper feature?
A: It’s an upgraded version of the Always-On Display that supports showing a blurred and dimmed version of your lock screen wallpaper along with notifications and the clock.
Q: Which devices currently support Ambient Display wallpapers?
A: As of now, the feature is in early beta on the Pixel 9a, but full support may be limited to the upcoming Pixel 10 due to hardware requirements.
Q: Will Ambient Display wallpapers drain my battery faster?
A: There may be some additional battery usage, but Google provides an option to toggle the feature off if you want to conserve battery life.
Q: When will Ambient Display wallpapers be available to all Pixel users?
A: The feature is expected to launch with Android 16 later this year, likely alongside the Pixel 10 release in August, but wider availability depends on device compatibility.
Q: How is this different from previous Pixel Always-On Display?
A: Previous Pixel models did not officially support wallpaper display on Always-On Display. Ambient Display adds this blurred wallpaper effect, making the lock screen more visually appealing.
