Google confirms that the new iteration of the popular smartphone OS, Android will release earlier this year than the previous years. According to the new announcement, you can expect the release of Android 16 early next year, as opposed to the fall update, Google is used to do historically. This means that Andriod 16 is releasing much earlier than anticipated. The new version continues the tradition of dessert-themed naming. The Android 16 is given the code name “Baklava”, a dessert that originated from the Ottoman Empire.
Changes in the Android Release Cycle
Major Android updates such as Android 14 and 15 were released in October. Most of the iterations before that were also released in Q3 after long developer tests and beta testing. However, that is changing for the 2025 release, as Google confirms that the release date is pushed forward to Q2.
This move is aimed at better aligning with the release of devices. So, this year Google aims to bring all the major Android devices to the latest version of the Operating System. This can improve the Android ecosystem as a whole.
One of the major differences between Android devices and iOS devices is the launch of the iOS itself. Apple launches their new version of the iOS and the new iPhones at the same time. But most of the Android flagships had to wait for months to get the latest Android version after their release. For example, the Samsung S24 product line was released in January this year, but the Android 15 was released almost after 10 months in October.
So, this change in the release cycle of Android can be a better way to improve Android domination in the market, and it can potentially bring a bit more edge to Android in the coming years.
Also Read: What Are the Specific Bug Fixes Included in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 3?
New Android Release Cycle
According to the latest announcement from Google, the major Android update will happen in Q2 of 2025, and developers can also expect minor SDK releases in Q4. The SDK updates will be similar to the current quarterly Android updates, which add new features without altering the underlying systems dramatically.
The new release cycle of Android can have a cascading effect on the developer testing and beta testing of the Operating System. Developers can expect to get their hands on Android 16 earlier than tradition and tweak their applications accordingly. This helps developers to bring the latest features right away rather than waiting months.
Here is the new release cycle announced by Google:
- Q1: Features only
- Q2: Major SDK release Behavior APIs & features
- Q3: Features Only
- Q4: Minor SDK release APIs and features
Read More: Android 15 Update Begins Seeding To Google Pixel Phones
Android 16: What to Expect?
Although Google has not officially revealed enough details about the latest Android Version. However, we have some clouds about what you can expect from it. But keep in mind that these details are speculations and guesses at this point, and the features we list in this article might not end up in the final release of Android 16.
- Desktop Windowing: This feature allows users to open multiple apps at the same time and resize the window, just like you’d do on a PC desktop. This feature is expected to be supported by Android tablets.
- Rich Ongoing Notifications: This allows apps to add their custom chips on the taskbar, similar to the dynamic island in iPhones.
- Notification Cooldown: Enabling “Notification Cooldown” can lower the volume of successive notifications from the same application gradually.
- New Screen Recording and Casting Chips: You will be able to view the duration of screen recording and screencasting right on your taskbar. It may also allow you to stop the function without pulling down the notification bar.
- Lockscreen Widgets: Android is working on bringing back lock screen widgets that they once used to provide.
- Gemini on Lock Screen: Android 16 lock screen may have a dedicated
Gemini button, to access the assistance without unlocking your device. - Switching Apps in Partial Screen Sharing: Android 15 allows partial screen sharing, where you can record or cast a single application as opposed to the entire screen. However, if you want to switch the apps, you need to end the current session and start a new one. But in Android 16, you may be allowed to switch between the apps when partial screen sharing.
- Touchpad Gesture Tutorials: To help users better understand the touchpad gestures in Android tablets, the Android 16 may provide tutorial animations.
- Blocking Old Notifications: Notifications that are two or more weeks older may get pushed back and it will only show the necessary information to let you know which apps to check.
- Redesigned Settings Homepage: The clues indicate that the settings homepage of Android 16 will have a major update. Connected settings such as apps and notifications can be bundled together, and you may also expect a change in the order of the settings.
Most of these clues are revealed on the Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2. So, we can believe that the features that at least some of these features will make it to the final cut of Andriod 16 expected to be released next year.
