As the much-awaited Android 16 beta draws near, leaks and previews are giving a glimpse into the changes Google has planned.

Among the most surprising updates is a fresh redesign of the volume slider, a key user interface element that gets a cleaner and more modern look in line with Material Design principles.

Sleeker Volume Slider for a Modern Interface

Android 16 Might Slim Down Volume Sliders to Achieve Cleaner

A small but vital part of the Android user experience, the volume slider has always been there. But with Android 15 introducing pill-shaped sliders, Android 16 seems to perfect it. Android Authority's Mishaal Rahman reported that the new design replaces rounded sliders with clear handles and makes them thinner, and angular.

Here is what this new design offers:

• A vertical bar indicates the slider's position, with one side darkened and the other left blank.
• A small dot on one end of the slider marks the top level of volume.
• A continuous line for the handle on the end of the slider; is easier to spot than the previous bubble points.

Redesign Highlights Material Design Principles

That should be aligned in line with this recent update on how Google will include clarity and simplicity in its Material Design. The round pill shape associated with the current sliders is given up for this angular design but is visually cleaner and more purposeful.

The design and overall improvement are intended to make better usability, allowing users to modify volume levels perfectly.

Increased Ease of Use Around the UI

It is not just going to appear in one place; instead, this new volume slider is going to appear across different places in the interface, and they are

• Horizontal volume popup
• Quick-access slider for when one is using volume buttons
• There's also that little music note icon, formerly lined up to match the level of the volume; it just sits at the bottom of that slider now, with a minimalist improvement in keeping things consistent.
• The three-dot icon to access the overflow volume panel has also been resized, looking a bit smaller for a more streamlined look.

The Reason Why a Minor Volume Slider Tweak Matters

Although the volume slider is a small feature, its constant use makes it an important aspect of the Android experience. Google's redesign ensures improved usability where angular design and clear handle make it easier to identify and set the desired volume level.

Apart from that, it gives a more modern look and feel, 9to5Google reports. The new design maintains Android at pace with changing user expectations for simplicity and clarity of the interface.

There's also consistency in a way that as a Material Design-compliant, it provides uniformity in appearance throughout the OS.

What's in Android 16 Beta

This redesigned volume slider is just one of many changes to be expected from the Android 16 beta, which Google will roll out in the coming months. The very fact that Google has been turning its attention to the refinement of the user interface allows it to believe that everything else about the OS would get a makeover, tailoring functionality with design.