Tech Desk 
Nov 21, 2024
Android 16 is here with exciting features, and one stands out for night-time phone users: the new “Even Dimmer” mode. This feature, introduced in the first Developer Preview, makes screens even darker than the current Extra Dim mode, helping users reduce eye strain in low-light settings.
Android 16 follows closely on the heels of Android 15 and is shaping up to be a feature-packed update. The improved Privacy Dashboard and features to keep OTP security intact show Google’s focus on user convenience and safety.
How to access Android 16 ‘Even Dimmer’ mode
The “Even Dimmer” toggle can now be found directly in the display settings, making it easier to access in contrast to the traditional Extra Dim feature, which was buried in accessibility settings or required a Quick Settings shortcut.
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With this update, users can enable the mode simply by sliding the brightness slider all the way to the left.
Android 16 ‘Even Dimmer’ mode availability
Currently, the feature is exclusive to the Google Pixel 9 running Android 16 Developer Preview 1. It’s missing on higher-end Pixel models like the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 8 series.
Reports suggested this may be a temporary issue, and the feature is likely to roll out to more devices soon. Once widely available, Extra Dim will be removed from accessibility settings, fully transitioning to the display menu.
Besides “Even Dimmer,” Android 16 brings new audio sharing via Auracast, making it easier to share audio with multiple devices. The update also reintroduces the popular notification cooldown feature, which gives users a break from constant alerts.
For now, users with a Pixel 9 can explore this eye-friendly update, while others may need to wait for broader availability. Android 16’s Even Dimmer mode is another step towards making smartphones more comfortable for nighttime use.
