Just like Google told us they would do, the start of May means it's time for the next Android Q beta. What better time to release it than Google I/O? Android Q Beta 3 is here for the Google Pixel family and now even more phones than the Android Pie beta. This is the last incremental update before Beta 4, which will include final APIs and the official SDK.
Previous beta updates brought features like system-wide dark mode, desktop mode, notification bubbles, and a whole lot more. Android Q is not so much about UI updates as it is about user experience and privacy. The previous betas were limited to the Pixel family, but Android Q Beta 3 is available also for the Xiaomi Mi 9, Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G, Asus Zenfone 5z, Essential Phone, Nokia 8.1, Huawei Mate 20 Pro, LG G8 ThinQ, OnePlus 6, OnePlus 6T, Oppo Reno, Realme 3 Pro, Sony Xperia XZ3, Tecno Spark 3 Pro, Vivo X27, NEX S, and NEX A.
There are a number of pretty big updates in beta 3 that we previously talked about. Dark Theme is something we saw and now it's available in Beta 3. You simply toggle it on and the UI switches to a black background (not dark gray). Apps have to support Dark Theme for this to work and Google says all of theirs will support it.
A screenshot and screen recording of Q beta 3's new gestures, courtesy of XDA Member paphonb.
Next up is the new and improved gestures we previously wrote about. They're real and here in Beta 3. Google pretty much went the iPhone route with a thin bar across the bottom and no back button. The back gesture is a swipe from the left side of the screen (can also work as a previous gesture from the right). Swiping up still brings the Recent apps screen and you can quickly switch between the previous and next app by swiping left or right on the pill.
Android Q Beta 3 is now ready for foldable displays and 5G. Google also talked a lot about accessibility. Live Caption is a new tool for the deaf and hearing impaired. It automatically captions media that is playing audio on your phone. Smart Reply is built into the notification system in Android Q as well. Digital Wellbeing is getting more tools. Focus Mode will help you stay focused on a specific task by blocking distracting apps. Family Link also has Digital Wellbeing integration and Bonus Time.
Android Q Beta 3 is now officially out for all Pixel devices (enroll here), including the Google Pixel, the Pixel XL, the Pixel 2, the Pixel 2 XL, the Pixel 3, the Pixel 3 XL, and the newly announced Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL. As mentioned, you can also join the beta if you have one of the many devices listed above. We'll be diving more in-depth with this update soon.
Update 1: OnePlus has announced that the OnePlus 6 is also eligible for the latest Android Q beta release.