Google Revamps Android Call Interface: A Smarter, More Functional In-Call Experience Debuts in Android 16

Android users are set to experience a more efficient and streamlined calling experience, thanks to the latest improvements introduced in the second beta of Android 16 QPR1. Google has reimagined the ongoing call chip—a feature that first debuted in Android 12—making this compact on-screen bubble smarter and more useful than ever before.

From Full-Screen Interruptions to Smart Pop-Ups

Previously, tapping the ongoing call chip would instantly bring up the entire call screen, disrupting whatever you were doing. With Android 16’s latest update, interacting with the call chip now displays a convenient mini interface similar to the one found in the notification shade. This mini pop-up offers immediate access to key call controls: ending the call, toggling the speaker, or muting the microphone, all without leaving your current app or workflow. For those who need more options, simply tapping the mini interface will bring up the full-featured call screen.

Inspired by Leading UI Trends

According to AndroidAuthority, Google’s new design for the in-call UI brings functional parity—and some inspiration—from Samsung’s enhancements to the Now Bar in One UI 7, where quick controls for timers and multimedia have made multitasking easier. Notably, Samsung’s latest One UI 7 and even the beta of One UI 8 are still using the classic call chip system, indicating that Google’s native solution is taking the lead in intuitive user experience for Android call management.

Advantages, Use Cases, and Market Relevance

This upgrade to the Android call UI not only makes everyday calling more seamless, but also opens the door for new integrations with Live Updates—Android’s answer to Apple’s Live Activities and Samsung’s Live Notifications. The foundation laid in Android 16 suggests that, in the near future, more apps will be able to utilize these smarter, persistent notification bubbles for richer, real-time interactions. For professionals and multitaskers, these enhancements promise reduced interruptions and smoother device usability, cementing Android’s position as a forward-thinking mobile OS.

Stay tuned as Google continues to expand these features, further evolving Android’s digital communication tools and refining the mobile user experience for everyone.