Android 16 QPR1 Beta redesigns the Pixel Launcher search bar, adds AI Mode

With Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2, the Pixel Launcher search bar is getting a redesign to match the Google app’s updated homescreen widget.

This redesign basically shrinks the old search bar (with the ‘G’ logo, voice search microphone, and Google Lens shortcut) to make room for an AI Mode icon at the right. The magnifying glass with sparkle uses the four Google colors, while this separation is much better than having three side-by-side icons.

Everything is placed in a container, with the search bar and circular button featuring a darker background. This new design does not appear at the top of the app launcher.

Google app widget at the top, Pixel Launcher below

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Since AI Mode is not yet widely available, I expect Google to offer a version of this redesign that just places the search bar in a container.

Meanwhile, compared to the Search bar widget from the Google app, there is currently no way to disable or change the shortcut. The Google app offers Translate (text), Song Search, Weather, Translate (camera), Sports, Dictionary, Homework, Finance, Saved, and News. They open Lens and other parts of the Google app, with Song Search quite convenient.

So far, we’re just seeing this Pixel Launcher search bar redesign on one device running Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 after a server-side update. The new gradient G logo immediately rolled out yesterday.