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Google has officially confirmed that a new iteration of Android will be released early this year. Google reportedly decided to change its release cycle to ensure that the latest Android phones released around the same time will have the most recent Android version. If you are an Android enthusiast looking forward to purchasing your next phone or if you currently own an Android phone, you might be curious about what Google is cooking in the background this time. Here is everything you should know about Android 16, which is releasing sooner than ever.
Note: Some of the information provided in this article is industry speculations and rumors. We will update the article once we receive official information from reliable sources.
Android 16 Release Date Leaked
Android 16 is the upcoming major release of the popular smartphone Operating system. Traditionally, Android releases its major updates in Q4 of the year. Meaning that the smartphones released earlier in the same year should wait months to get the latest update. But Google has finally decided to change this tradition and go for an earlier release date, completely remodeling their release cycle.
Google has officially announced that the next major Android update will be released in Q2 2025. So, it is given that you can expect a stable release in April, May, or June 2025. As per the recent leaks on social media, we are looking at a release date of June 3, 2025. Google has also announced that they will be releasing more SDK updates this time around.
So, we can believe that upcoming major Android smartphones released next year. It includes Google’s and Samsung’s flagship phones may get the latest Android release sooner or even out of the box. It also means that smartphone manufacturers can optimize their devices and components to better suit the Operating System.
That being said, almost all Android smartphone manufacturers use their skin over stock Android. So, you might not get to use Android 16 right away from the day it is released.
Android 16 Speculated Features: Can it top iOS 18?
It is safe to say that Android and Apple are constantly battling each other to see who can attract more users. While Android is better at providing customization and more freedom to the users, Apple is known for its easy-to-set-up interface. So, when Android releases its latest installment, fans expect nothing but a solid and more future-oriented operating system. It is more than iOS18 and the previous Android versions.
While Google has not officially released any clue for the upcoming release, we can assume that at least some of the features introduced in Google’s QPR (Quarterly Platform Release) will make its way to the final build of Android 16. According to industry rumors and technical experts, you may see the below features in the upcoming Android release.
1. Multiple Windows
Google will likely release the multi-window feature that was introduced with the Android 15 QPR 1 Beta for Android tablets next week. The feature will enable users to open multiple windows at the same time and resize them. The running apps will be shown on the taskbar below, and you can pin your favorites to it freely. Whereas the window controls can be found on the header.
2. A Redesigned Settings App
Android usually does minor updates to its settings app in most major Android updates, it will likely continue this time around too. But from what we can tell from the latest beta versions of Android 15, the redesigns are not too dramatic.
Most likely, you wouldn’t notice the changes unless you are using a Pixel device. Because most of the other smartphones use their skin and do design changes anyway.
3. Rich Ongoing Notifications
Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3’s clues indicate that the Rij Ongoing Notification will be released with Android 16’s stable version. This remodeling of notifications lets the apps create notifications that live on the status bar. It can have a custom background color and the app’s icon, along with text. Android’s answer for the dynamic island in iPhones is this chip-based notification design, although the feature was developed before the dynamic island.
4. Limiting Old Notifications
If you have practiced going off-grid from the digital world ever, you must have regretted the decision, seeing the notifications pouring in. Android might come up with a possible solution to the problem. Android is changing how it shows older notifications. The notifications that are older than two weeks or fourteen days will only show enough information to let you know the contact or the app it is from. And these messages won’t vibrate or ring.
So, you can visit back your digital life without being overwhelmed by the notifications you have missed while being away from social media. This feature will be also beneficial for users who have an additional Android phone that they don’t use that often.
5. Thin Heads-Up Notifications
Bulky notifications with too much information and action buttons while using your device in full screen can be annoying. Android 16 might have a solution for this problem. According to leaks, the notification layout becomes thin when in full screen. It will show only enough information that you require and the action buttons are placed in the same line as the text.
So, you can read the message or a portion of it and use the action buttons to respond if necessary, without largely affecting your full-screen experience.
6. Notification Cool Down Feature
It is a feature that lowers the volume and minimizes alerts when you are receiving too many notifications at the same time. When enabled, this feature will progressively reduce the intensity of the notification without affecting calls, alarms, and priority messages. During the cool-down period, individual notifications are collected in the notification bar and can be expanded to reveal the messages.
This feature was highlighted and previewed in the Android 15 developer preview, but it was technically unable to make it into the final release. So, there is a chance that the feature will finally make its way to your devices with Android 16.
7. New Quick Settings Panel
Quick settings may get a major remodeling with Android 16. In Android 16 Google may attempt to reduce the size of the notification panel from a full screen to a quarter screen. where you can see the app you are using below. Bringing down the notification panel, you will find the quick settings appearing and restricted to the same screen space. And you can swipe right to see the rest of the settings.
You can change the order of tools in the quick settings tab, remove or add settings, and even resize the settings to fit your requirements.
8. Lock Screen Widget Support
Lock screen widgets have been allowed in the former versions of Android. Google has already added them to pixel tablets, finally, So, you may see a comeback of lock screen widgets in Android 16.
You can select a range of widgets from settings and can customize them to add to your lock screen. In addition to the custom clock, you can expect to see the calendar, weather, timer, and more widgets on your lock screen.
Read More: Android 15 Update Begins Seeding To Google Pixel Phones
Android 16 Leaks: Final Thoughts
From the leaks and official announcements, we can say that Android is taking things a lot more seriously this year. The new release cycle can be better for the user experience of Android devices across the board and the rumored features seem exciting. So, what features would you like to see in the new Android release? Let us know in the comments below.
