Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1 rolls out with a bunch of performance and battery fixes

Source: Android Authority

TL;DR

• Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1 is now rolling out to enrolled Pixel devices.
• The update primarily focuses on addressing known issues, including fixes for battery drain, stability, and connectivity.
• The Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series get build CP11.251209.009, while other supported devices receive CP11.251209.009.A1.

Google has started rolling out Android 16 QPR3 Beta 2.1, a small follow‑up to the January QPR3 Beta 2 release aimed squarely at improving stability, battery behavior, and overall reliability on Pixel devices. As detailed in the release notes, the update is now rolling out to enrolled users, with Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series phones receiving build CP11.251209.009, while all remaining supported devices receive CP11.251209.009.A1.

According to Google, Beta 2.1 doesn’t introduce any new app‑impacting API changes. Instead, it continues the cleanup work from QPR3 Beta 2, which focused on fixing bugs that could impact day‑to‑day use.

Issues addressed in QPR3 Beta 2.1

• Unresponsive app drawer when scrolling, due to UI rendering issues.
• Android Auto incorrectly logging extensive screen time, affecting battery life.
• Graphical glitches and performance degradation in the notification shade during full‑screen or PiP modes, resolved by improving display rendering.
• Excessive overnight battery drain caused by background process power‑consumption optimization.
• Battery charging limit not being respected, leading devices to charge to 100 % instead of the set limit.
• Slow Wi‑Fi speeds caused by a connection bug.
• Crash when accessing radio information settings.
• Delay and lack of feedback when switching audio output to speakerphone during calls, fixed by improving audio routing logic.
• Screen flickering when waking the device from Always‑On Display, addressed by updating System WebView.
• Crashes on startup for certain apps (including Microsoft apps managed by Intune) due to a compatibility problem now resolved.
• Inconsistent or failed wireless charging and slow wired charging, improved by updating the power‑management system.
• System crashes on foldable devices when folding with an app open, fixed by correcting activity lifecycle management during device state changes.