Android Q Beta: The Good and the Bad

Apps and Software

One Android expert made explanations about the advantages and disadvantages of the Android Q Beta / Photo by: Răzvan Băltărețu via Wikimedia Commons


Since Google has also jumped into the smartphone market, they have been testing out their new software, Android Q, on their Pixel phones. Writer Clifford Colby of CNet has taken the time recently to see what the Android Q beta has to offer.

In his review, he first clarifies that since this is technically just a beta, and Google is still relatively new to the smartphone business, “the mobile OS that the prerelease software contains significant changes that may affect your photos, videos, and other files you store on your phone.”

For a beta, this behavior is most likely expected, which is why Colby adds that those who probably won’t be writing a review like he is might not want to take the software for a test run. If they want, though, Colby stands by some of the good qualities of the software he has managed to see.

The first feature he lauds is the Q’s Dark Mode, which, although didn’t come automatically with the software as it did in Android Pie, he says there is still hope for those who want their Q to be on Dark Mode.

All that extra effort to go to the Display settings pays off, at least, since Q’s dark mode actually “appears in more places than Pie’s does.”

Q also helps the user by pushing more useful notifications on lock screen displays. For instance, Colby says Q is very helpful in terms of their lock screen widgets. Q also has vibration and charging sound when you plug your phone in, which means that users will be able to ensure that their phone is charging.

While all of these are good points for Q, some are also bad points. For instance, some apps in Q are not as smooth-moving as others. The Notes app, in particular, has issues, and some browsers like Firefox and Focus do not work at all.

Since it’s a Google product, though, Chrome works just fine, as well as Chromium, Opera, and Brave.