Pixel update extends key features

Google rolls out the Material 3 Expressive UI and related features from the Pixel 10 to older devices as part of the September Pixel drop.

Google expands Material 3 Expressive UI to older Pixel devices

Google has started delivering the Pixel 10 features to devices dating back to 2021, including the Pixel 6 and Pixel Tablet, as part of the September Pixel drop. The update brings Material 3 Expressive UI with Live Effects on the lock screen and redesigned contact cards. Quick Settings get tweaks aimed at easier use.

Beyond the UI, Google adds Auracast based audio sharing. Two devices can hear the same audio from one handset, and a QR code can invite others to join a private broadcast. New gestures let you answer or reject calls by nodding or shaking your head. The update also improves Share and file transfers via Quick Share.

This move shows Google trying to extend device lifecycles and keep users in its ecosystem even as hardware ages. It also reflects a broader push to deliver software parity without forcing a new phone.

But questions remain about performance on older hardware and whether all features run as smoothly on legacy devices. Privacy and battery impact are potential concerns if more sensors and audio features run in the background.

Highlights

The next test is sustained performance as features spread across more devices.