It appears that with the arrival of Android 16, Google will make the adoption of the edge-to-edge layout mandatory for all applications targeting API level 36. This change eliminates the black or gray bars that usually appear at the top and bottom of layouts, providing a more immersive experience.

This feature was already planned for Android 15, but at the time, Google allowed developers to opt out of it. Now, however, the use of this feature will be a requirement for apps that target the new API.