Pixel phones in line for a fresh new look for wallpaper customization

Google is reportedly cooking up a new “Wallpaper & style” page for its Pixel phones and tablets, aiming to give users a cleaner and more organized way to customize their devices.

For the past few Android versions, the “Wallpaper & style” page has been a familiar sight. For those unfamiliar, the Pixel wallpaper app is your gateway to personalizing your Pixel experience. Whether you’re looking to change your wallpaper, customize lock screen shortcuts, tweak the clock style, or choose a system color palette, this app is your one-stop shop. You can even enable Themed Icons to give your home screen a cohesive look. Accessing it is a breeze: just press and hold on an empty spot on the home screen and tap “Wallpaper & Style,” or navigate through Settings. Now, it seems Google wants to give this page a makeover with the upcoming Android 15 update.

According to a recent discovery by the team over at Android Authority, the first QPR1 beta release of Android 15 includes a sneak peek at this new design. Although the new layout isn’t enabled by default, those who managed to take a closer look found that the update isn’t about adding new features but rather about making the existing ones easier to find and use.

Think of it as a fresh coat of paint rather than a complete renovation. The current version splits customization options between home and lock screens using tabs, but the new design simplifies things. The reimagined “Wallpaper & style” page keeps all the beloved functionalities but arranges them in a more intuitive way. Labels are clearer, and options are more logically organized, helping users navigate through the customization options without any fuss. It’s all about making the experience smoother and more user-friendly while keeping the design familiar enough that seasoned Pixel users won’t feel lost.

Another major revamp is in how you customize the lock screen clock. Instead of swiping left or right to browse clock styles, all options will now appear in a bottom sheet. This sheet will also include settings for clock color and size, organized in separate tabs. The same approach is being taken with lock screen shortcuts. Instead of scrolling through a separate page, up to ten shortcut options will now fit neatly in a bottom sheet, making them easier to view and select.

The system color palette picker is also getting an upgrade. Instead of a single row of palette options, you’ll see two rows, allowing for quicker comparisons. Selecting a color palette now zooms in on the home screen preview, letting you see how your icons will look with the new colors. And if you’re a fan of the dark theme, you’ll be able to toggle it on the spot to see how your home screen transforms.

So, when can we expect to see this new layout in action? There’s no official launch date yet, but with Android 15 updates rolling out, we might get our hands on it in the near future.

For those curious to see the difference, check out the video below. It gives a side-by-side comparison of the current and upcoming layouts, showcasing how these changes make customization on Pixel devices even more enjoyable. Just a heads up: focusing on one layout at a time might make it easier to see the improvements.