When Will Android 16 Be Launched?
The preliminary Developer Preview marks the start line of the Android 16 rollout, in keeping with Google, with the second Developer Preview slated for December.
Google is about to launch two steady Android 16 updates in 2025. First in Q2 2025 and a minor in This fall 2025. / © Google
The primary Beta launch is anticipated in January 2025, adopted by three further Beta updates main as much as the steady launch, projected between Could and June 2025. Moreover, a minor replace—seemingly Android 16.1—is deliberate for the ultimate quarter of 2025.
This method is groundbreaking sufficient that Google has even ready a video to elucidate the adjustments intimately. If you happen to’re curious and wish to dive deeper, make sure to test it out:
What’s Android 16’s Dessert Codename?
Like earlier variations of the working system, Android 16 has an inner codename based mostly on a dessert identify. After Tiramisu, Upside Down Cake, and Vanilla Ice Cream, Google did not hassle searching for desserts with the letters W, X, Y, or Z, and went straight to B for baklava. Yummy.
Hmmm, baklava! / © Enez Selvi/Shutterstock
Whereas the developer preview lists the system model as “Baklava”, anticipate to see Google utilizing solely “Android 16” because the OS branding as we get close to the steady launch, although.
Android 16’s codename is “Baklava”. © nextpit
Count on to see the “Android 16” branding changing the “Baklava” codename. © nextpit
What’s new in Android 16
Android 16 DP2 introduces a spread of thrilling options and enhancements geared toward enhancing consumer expertise, privateness, and gadget performance. Whereas primarily geared towards builders, these updates additionally embrace important adjustments that customers can sit up for within the upcoming Android launch. Right here’s a more in-depth take a look at the important thing options unveiled on this preview.
Two-finger double faucet zoom
Within the Accessibility settings, the magnification (zoom) characteristic lists quite a lot of shortcuts choices (all the time seen button, gestures, quantity buttons, and many others). New to Android 16 is the choice to enlarge the show with a double faucet with two fingers on the display.
New shortcut for the magnifier characteristic. © nextpit
Improved assist for bodily keyboards
Uncovered by Android skilled Mishaal Rahman, Android 16 introduced a few adjustments to enhance assist for bodily keyboards. The primary is a reorganization of the Settings menu for its accessibility options, and inside it customers will discover the brand new Repeat Keys settings. The choice units a delay earlier than a pressed key’s registered once more and in addition its repeat price. Each shall be particularly welcomed by the pill warriors on the market.
Fingerprint unlock with screen-off
Unique to the Pixel 9 collection, this transformation permits customers to unlock the cellphone with a registered fingerprint with out having to wake the display. The caveat is that the change is simply obtainable (at the least for now) for the Pixel 9 collection telephones, most likely resulting from using an ultrasonic sensor as an alternative of the older optical fingerprint reader within the Pixel 6 by way of 8 fashions.
7 new emojis
Android 16 contains assist for the brand new emoji ratified with the Unicode 16.0 launch, formally introduced in September, 2024. The official listing of emoji reached 3,790 with this launch and has 164 candidates for the seventeenth model, anticipated in September 2025.
Google Hold is now a system app
The note-taking app Google Hold was a stand-alone app that wanted to be put in by way of the Play Retailer like some other app. Beginning with Android 16, Google appears to be implementing the app to be put in by default, with no choice to uninstall Hold except brute forcing it by way of root entry.
Wi-Fi QR code redesign
Not essentially the most groundbreaking change to the system, the QR-code display for sharing Wi-Fi credentials acquired a redesign. Google ditched the plain QR-code for a stylized one, adopting the Materials You shade palette in your cellphone.
A small change within the Wi-Fi QR-Code generator now helps Materials You shade palettes. © nextpit
Reorganized Settings
The Settings app is a standard weak level by way of usability—additionally on iOS and Home windows—with increasing wants and options popping up every now and then, it’s no shock common customers get confused and misplaced in it. Google just lately began reordering and shifting issues round within the Settings app.
The Settings app was overhauled throughout the Android 15 updates, however ought to attain extra telephones beginning with Android 16. © nextpit
The change provides extra space to the search bar, on the similar time it highlights the primary Google account on the cellphone. The change was really rolled out to Pixel telephones with Android 15, however will most likely attain different AOSP-based distributions (Asus, Motorola, Sony, and many others) solely on Android 16.
Picture Picker
Whereas this launch primarily targets builders, a number of noteworthy options and enhancements had been launched. Among the many highlights is the up to date picture picker characteristic, which advantages from new APIs geared toward enhancing app integration for importing pictures and movies. This replace enhances consumer privateness by eradicating extreme permissions whereas streamlining the app interface.
Well being Join and FHIR Help
One other main addition is assist for the FHIR (Quick Healthcare Interoperability Assets) format inside the Well being Join app. This integration might enable customers to handle medical data alongside well being metrics sooner or later. An analogous characteristic, often called Well being Information, exists in Samsung Well being however is presently restricted to pick healthcare suppliers.
Notification Cooldown
Different adjustments embrace the introduction of a Notifications Cooldown characteristic, designed to scale back distractions by minimizing alerts and reducing notification quantity when a number of notifications are acquired in fast succession.
Notification cooldown guarantees to tame the notification overload. © nextpit
Notification Cooldown was examined throughout the Android 15 growth however did not attain the steady launch. © nextpit
Audio Sharing
The Audio Sharing characteristic, initially noticed in Android 15, was additional refined. This performance depends on Bluetooth LE connectivity to allow audio sharing from a single supply gadget to a number of headphones, primarily permitting customers to broadcast audio.
Privateness and Safety Enhancements
The Privateness Dashboard will be capable of show information from the previous 7 days, as an alternative of the present 24-hour restrict. © nextpit
New shortcut for the magnifier characteristic. © nextpit
Reside Actions and Redesigned Fast Settings
Past these, it was found that Google is working to place dwell actions on the lock and residential screens and introduce a brand new redesigned fast settings format.
Which Gadgets Help the Android 16 DP2 Replace?
The Android 16 DP2 is now obtainable for the Pixel 9 collection all the best way to the Pixel 6 collection, in addition to the Pixel Pill and Pixel Fold. Nevertheless, Google famous that gadgets working Android 15 QPR (Quarterly Platform Launch) Beta 1 would require a full gadget wipe earlier than putting in the Android 16 firmware.
What are your ideas on Google’s choice to launch Android 16 sooner than regular? Do you suppose the steady launch will point out a change within the Pixel {hardware}’s launch timing? Share your opinions within the feedback under!
Article up to date in December 2024 with new options launched with Android 16 DP2.
