While we are in the middle of stable roll out of Android 15, the Android 16 update is already under active development. Codenamed as ‘Baklava’, this OS has already made its debut this year. The Beta 3 release is scheduled for March 12, 2025. Before moving towards its final release, let’s check out all the details about this OS so that you can decide whether you go for an Android 15 out-of-the-box device or wait on the next one.
Android 16 Update Features
Updated Notifications in Android 16
Apps can show real-time updates (like delivery tracking or sports scores) as custom chips in the status bar. This lets you see important info at a glance without opening the apps. Just like Live Updates in iOS.
More Screen Space & Enhancement in Tablets
Even though we have seen edge-to-edge improvements in apps for Android 15, the newer one just keeps adding to it. Starting with the new Android 16 update (API level 36), apps can no longer force a specific screen orientation (like always portrait or always landscape). It cannot prevent resizing when running on large screens (like tablets or foldable phones) that are 600dp (density-independent pixels) wide or larger.
Developers can still choose to opt out of this rule for now if they want, but by 2026 (API 37), it will become mandatory for all apps. This change is meant to improve flexibility and user experience on larger devices like tablets, foldables, and others.
Support For Adaptive Refresh Rate
The first major change introduced in Android 16 is support for adaptive refresh rate. With smartphone screens getting features like LTPO and 185Hz refresh rate, getting native support for adaptive refresh rate is a cherry on top.
It will improve battery efficiency and overall screen smoothness of phones. With a new API for adaptive refresh rate, developers will be able to provide a smoother scrolling experience in their apps.
Also Read: Android 15 Features, Eligible Devices List, All Details!
Redesigned Volume Control
Another improvement in the Android 16 update is the redesigned volume control. The new volume slider will have rectangular edges and a thinner handle with a rectangular line. It is also taller and occupies less space compared to its predecessor.
Split Quick Settings
Android 16 update will finally add split quick settings just like other Android skins. Similar to HyperOS, OxygenOS and OneUI 7, the notifications and the quick settings have been separated. Swiping once will show the notifications while pulling it down with two fingers shows the quick settings menu.
Also Read: Android Auto Not Connecting To Car: Here’s How To Fix!
Bundled Notifications
Apart from the changes in the notifications and quick settings panel, Android 16 is also improving notifications as a whole. The new Bundled notifications feature will group multiple notifications and deliver them at once. Furthermore, users will be able to block old notifications and enable compact heads-up to check new notifications in a condensed layout.
There is also a notification cooldown option that prevents continuous notifications from a single app. It can be handy if an app is spamming you with many notifications at once. You can also stash bubble notifications to the side of the screen once you are done reading them.
Floating Bubbles For Apps
Android 11 introduced Bubble notifications for apps, and the new Android 16 update improves on them. It will let users run any app inside a floating bubble instead of just showing their notifications. The bubble button in the context menu can be activated by long pressing the app’s icon.
Also Read: 8 Signs That Your Android Phone Motherboard Needs Repair!
Lockscreen Widgets And Changes
Remember lock screen widgets in older Android versions? Well, Google removed the feature in Android 5.0 and it is now making a comeback. The Android 16 update will finally let you add widgets to your lock screen and also let you customize them.
The only catch is that this feature will be available for phones instead of tablets. Another change is that notifications on the lock screen will only appear as an icon making your lock screen cleaner. There is also a dedicated button to access Gemini on the lock screen.
Dynamic Island For Android
Android 16 update borrows one major feature from iOS: Live Activities. Called Rich Ongoing Notifications, it can display ongoing notifications for apps like Uber, and Swiggy or a timer from the Clock app in a slim pill in the status bar.
Similar to OxygenOS’s Fluid Cloud feature, you can get a glance at ongoing notifications without opening the app. It can be handy for checking the status of your Zomato order or how far away your Uber driver is.
Also Read: Best Android 16 Features That You Need To Try In 2024!
Better Video Quality
Moving forward, the Android 16 update will support high-quality video processing with the Advanced Professional Video (APV) Codec technology. This means based on the model you choose, your device could support 8k resolution, YUV 422 colour sampling for richer colours and HDR10/10+ for the video to look more vibrant and bright. With all these developments the Bitrates is going to be up to 2 Gbps for transferring large files required in high-quality videos.
Other Changes
There are plenty of other changes that Google is adding with the Android 16 Update. You also get predictive back gestures, a newer version of the privacy sandbox, an embedded photo picker and support for health records in Health Connect. Moreover, you get a desktop mode for Android tablets, a redesigned settings menu and an “even dimmer” option for brightness.
There is an Auracast focus for sharing audio across multiple Bluetooth devices. Other changes include the ability to limit charging to 80 per cent on Pixel devices, improved lock screen customisation, better screen recording and a redesigned Pixel wallpaper app.
Android 16 Update Eligible Devices
Let’s check out the list of Android 16 Eligible Devices
Google Pixel
- Confirmed for Beta: Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a, 7, 7 Pro, 7a, 8, 8 Pro, 8a, 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, Pixel Tablet.
- Likely for Stable: Pixel 6 series onward. The Pixel 10 series may launch with Android 16 pre-installed in late 2025.
Samsung
- Flagships: Galaxy S22, S23, S24 series (S25 might debut with Android 16-based One UI 8). Also, Z Fold 4, 5, 6 and Z Flip 4, 5, 6.
- Mid-Range: Some A-series models (e.g., A54, A55) with multi-year update promises.
OnePlus
- Flagships: OnePlus 11, 12, 13, and newer Nord models.
Xiaomi
- Flagships: Xiaomi 13, 14 series, select Redmi (e.g., Note 13 Pro), and POCO models (e.g., F6 Pro).
Other Brands
- Vivo/iQOO: X Fold 3 Pro, Vivo 13 series—possibly as early as February 2025 for beta, given their Android 15 speed.
- Realme: Realme 12 Pro Plus, 13 series—beta around August 2025.
- Motorola: Edge 40, 50 series—mid-2025 rollout.
- Sony: Xperia 1 V, 5 V—slower rollout, maybe late 2025.
- Nothing: Phone (2), (2a)—early adopters, possibly summer 2025.
Android 16 Release Timeline
The Android 16 update is currently in the Beta 2 Stage. We can expect the Android 16 to release in June 2025. It will likely showcase Android 16 features at Google I/O 2025 in May.
| Release Phase | Version | Release Date | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developer Preview 1 | DP1 | November 19, 2024 | Initial developer preview release. |
| Developer Preview 2 | DP2 | December 18, 2024 | Second developer preview release. |
| Beta 1 | Beta 1 | January 23, 2025 | First beta release, introducing new features. |
| Beta 2 | Beta 2 | February 13, 2025 | Second beta release with further improvements. |
| Beta 3 | Beta 3 | March 12, 2025 | “Platform Stability” milestone reached, APIs and system behaviors finalized. |
| Stable Release | Final Version | Q2 2025 (Spec. June 3, 2025) | Expected stable release; date could shift depending on development progress. |
| Additional SDK Release | SDK 2 | Q4 2025 | A second SDK with new APIs planned post-launch. |
Also Read: Android 16: Leaks, Rumours, Release Date & More!
This faster schedule helps new devices launching in mid-2025 come with Android 16 pre-installed. This will give brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, and OnePlus more time to adjust the OS.
Google also plans a small update (possibly Android 16.1) in late 2025, focusing on improvements and small features without big changes that affect apps.
Summing It Up: Android 16 The Next Major Evolution
Unlike Android 15, the Android 16 update is shaping up to be a major update bringing a complete overhaul. With redesigned notifications, split quick settings, a dedicated Gemini button, improved customization and new multitasking capabilities, it is set to bring exciting changes to Android.
FAQs
Which phone has Android 16?
Currently only Google Pixel 6 series and above are eligible for the Android 16 update
Will my phone receive Android 16?
If you are using a recently released not older than 1-2 years then chances are it will receive Android 16. It’s best to check your device’s update policy and manufacturer promise to see whether it will get the update.
What is the Android 16 release date?
Android 16 update is likely to be released in June 3, 2025.
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