Even Pixel phones now have Samsung-style navigation keys

Even though Samsung phones and tablets are based on Android, a lot of Samsung's software ideologies are different from stock Android. One such aspect is the way UI navigation buttons are laid out. The three-button on-screen navigation button layout on Galaxy phones is different from what Google offers in stock Android. However, a new version of Android brings Samsung-style navigation keys as well.

The Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 update was released yesterday, and, as revealed by 9to5Google, it brings some new features, including the Samsung-style three-button navigation keys. When you choose the 3 Button Navigation option in the Navigation Mode section of the Settings app, you get two options:

Samsung has offered these options for a long time, allowing users to choose the style they are more comfortable using. Now, Google is offering those options with the latest beta version of Android 16. If you have a Pixel phone and have installed Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 on that device, you can find the new option by navigating to Settings > System > Navigation mode > 3-button navigation > Settings.