Android 12 simplifies the power menu function options, causing dissatisfaction among many test users

Google announced the new version of Android 12 mobile operating system at the I/O developer conference earlier this year, and the official version is expected to arrive with the new Pixel smartphone this fall. From the developer preview and beta test versions so far, Google is still working hard to bring many changes in functions and experience to Android 12. However, some of these changes have also caused strong dissatisfaction among users.

Google noted on the developer dashboard that the next beta version will arrive in August. If all goes well, the official version is expected to be ready for push sometime in September.

Embarrassingly, the new design tweaks first introduced in Android 12 Beta 2 — especially the power menu — have seriously damaged its favorability in the Android community.

Users' complaints mainly focus on the removal of many features from the Android 12 power menu. The old version of the menu also included G Pay controls and various options for home devices.

However, in the new version of the power menu, there are only three options: emergency, shutdown and restart.

Android Police pointed out that users can now access the relevant controls missing from the power menu in the quick settings.

In fact, the Android 12 Beta 3 test version already includes a notification about this design change - "To access G Pay and Home controls, swipe down from the top of the screen."

However, for those who are used to the old version, this adjustment in UI may be quite confusing. What's more, the readability of the notification itself is very poor and affected by the background and dimming effects.

Although most users may not think it matters, one Google employee bluntly stated on the bug tracking forum: "If this design is intentional, our product will fail!"

As to whether Google will make some adjustments in subsequent Beta test versions, it remains to be seen.