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Google is altering the way it rolls out Android updates beginning with Android 16. By accelerating the launch window, it is ready to ship the steady construct a number of months prematurely, and that enables upcoming telephones just like the Pixel 10 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 will run Android 16 out of the field. This was a problem in earlier years as Google used to historically launch the newest model of Android on the finish of Q3 or early This fall, with most gadgets debuting within the fall lacking out on the replace.
One other attention-grabbing change is that this may not be the one Android launch in 2025; Google plans to ship one other replace in This fall (dubbed the minor launch) that features new APIs and options. As well as, Google will proceed providing quarterly updates, and if something, many of the thrilling modifications introduced with Android 16 — just like the Materials 3 Expressive interface and Desktop Mode — will not be accessible till the QPR1 construct is offered in Q3.
In consequence, the Android 16 replace that is accessible at the moment does not look any totally different to Android 15; you continue to get just a few attention-grabbing options, however we’re properly previous the purpose the place each new launch of Android brings groundbreaking additions. That mentioned, it continues to ship significant modifications to the interface that make a distinction in day by day use, and notable privateness tweaks. That is what you could find out about Android 16.
Lock it down with Superior Safety
Safety continues to play a sizeable position in Android updates, and Google is constructing on that in Android 16 with the introduction of Superior Safety. Dubbed the “simplest safety features,” the suite consists of intrusion logging, theft detection lock, inactivity reboot after 72 hours, offline system lock, spam and rip-off safety in Messages, computerized name screening, caller ID and spam throughout the dialer, and a lot extra.
You even get USB safety, whereby the cellphone defaults to charging with any new USB connection when the system is locked. Google is doubling down on protected looking by imposing HTTPS, and by blocking set up of apps from unknown sources. That is simply probably the most strong safety features accessible at the moment, and the very best half is that enabling all of those is about as simple because it will get — you simply get a single toggle.
Greater than the rest, it is this ease of use that differentiates most Superior Safety. More often than not, there’s noticeable friction in organising further safety safeguards, and that acts as a deterrent. On this case, Google made it extraordinarily easy to safe your cellphone, and I am unable to wait to see different manufacturers combine the function of their Android 16 releases.
Delivering much-needed usability options
Foldables are higher than ever, however a relentless challenge once I’m utilizing the Pixel 9 Professional Fold or Honor Magic V3 is that textual content scaling is not uniform. There are choose apps that simply do not reap the benefits of the elevated canvas in unfolded mode, and Google is tackling this in Android 16 by mandating textual content scaling throughout system sizes.
This makes issues significantly simpler on a foldable, and whereas I am but to see a distinction at this level, that can change with imminent app updates. Most social media apps like Instagram and TikTok already do job on this space, and it is principally sensible house utilities (taking a look at you, Govee) that do not scale properly on a foldable — that is set to vary.
Declutter your notifications
I get so many notifications over the course of a day that I allow DND simply so I do not get continuously disturbed by my cellphone. Android does job with DND usually — except you are utilizing a OnePlus cellphone — and Google is streamlining issues by grouping all notifications from an app.
This does a good distance in minimizing notification litter, and alongside notification cooldown, it makes a tangible distinction.
Make your battery last more
Google is addressing battery longevity by rolling out a brand new Battery Well being function. Situated throughout the Battery menu within the settings, the web page offers you an indicator relating to the standing of your cellphone’s battery, and recommendations on what you are able to do to increase the longevity.
The function estimates the cost stage of your cellphone battery, and you should use it along with cost restrict — the place it does not cost past 80% — to make sure long-term sturdiness. Annoyingly, this function is barely accessible on the Pixel 8a and above, so when you’re utilizing an older Pixel, you miss out on it.
Now everybody can use predictive again gestures (form of)
Google is making the predictive again gesture extra accessible in Android 16 — it now works with the legacy three-button navigation along with gestures. In case you’re on the older navigation system, lengthy urgent the again button exhibits a preview of the earlier web page.
In fact, this might be helpful if the again gesture had a lot utility, however that simply is not the case. Even Chrome does not have the gesture, so it is not significantly shocking that the majority customers do not even know one thing like this exists. Google must mandate the usage of this gesture for it to see any type of mainstream use, and earlier than that, it wants so as to add it to its personal providers.
Speaking about gestures, now you can double press the facility button to launch Google Pockets as a substitute of the digicam, do you have to want to take action. I’d have appreciated higher customizability in choosing what to launch with the button — identical to what ASUS does on its telephones — however we aren’t at that time but.
Edge to edge mode is now normal
Android 16 mandates edge-to-edge mode, so textual content seems cleaner when you want studying long-form content material in your cellphone. There isn’t any wasted area or points with alignment, and it makes a much bigger distinction on foldable gadgets.
What I like about this function is that Google is getting Indic languages — Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Tamil, Telugu — in addition to Arabic, Lao, and Thai built-in with this mode, so when you’re utilizing any of those languages in your cellphone, you may see a distinction.
Hear all the pieces
Google is making two modifications to higher help customers who’ve listening to aids. In case you’re utilizing a Bluetooth LE-based listening to assist, you’ll be able to swap to your cellphone’s mic in a loud setting to listen to calls higher. There’s additionally the power to regulate the amount of the listening to assist out of your cellphone.
Unlock productiveness with desktop mode
Google is lastly including a desktop mode to Android, and the very best half is that it’s working intently with Samsung to take action. Samsung has been the frontrunner on this regard with DeX, and as a substitute of reinventing the wheel, Google is leveraging Samsung’s know-how to carry it to a wider viewers.
With desktop windowing, you’ll be able to simply join any Android cellphone to a monitor. With most telephones now coming with USB-C 3.2 normal with DisplayPort, it ought to be comparatively easy to attach telephones through USB-C. Google can also be bringing the power to customise keyboard shortcuts, and it ought to make extending your cellphone display to a bigger panel that a lot smoother.
The one caveat is that it is not accessible now; you may want to attend till the QPR1 construct. Whereas that is annoying, at the very least Google is not pushing it to subsequent 12 months — as has been the case with too many options currently.
Get real-time notification updates
I like how iPhones combine Dwell Actions into the digicam cutout, and whereas just a few Android producers have their very own tackle the function, Google is standardizing it with Dwell Updates. Everytime you guide a cab or order meals, you may see a real-time notification that modifications based mostly on the standing of that motion.
What’s good to listen to is that the function can be built-in into Samsung’s Now Bar and OPPO and OnePlus’ Dwell Alerts, so it ought to be seamless — as soon as it goes reside, that’s. Dwell Updates is not accessible at launch, and is barely set to roll out someday in Q3.
Coming quickly to a cellphone close to you
In case you’ve received a Pixel 6 and above, you’ll be able to set up Android 16 proper now. Whereas there is not a lot in the best way of marquee additions, the newest model of Android brings higher stability and value tweaks, and actually, that is what issues extra in day by day use.
Like earlier years, it is going to be just a few months earlier than different producers roll out their Android 16 updates. Given the points Samsung had with One UI 7, I do not see the model bringing One UI 8 to Galaxy gadgets anytime quickly. Google is doing its half by making the model accessible ahead of earlier than, and most telephones launching this fall ought to run Android 16 as normal.
Yearly Android releases aren’t as thrilling as they was once, and that is as a result of Google is doing a greater job rolling out options over the course of the 12 months. The upcoming Android 16 QPR1 construct can be a big launch, bringing with it the largest visible overhaul in three years. The last word objective with Android 16 is to have it pre-installed on extra gadgets than earlier years, and that by itself is noteworthy.
