For years, Google launched the newest model of Android within the third quarter of the 12 months, normally towards the top of summer time or the start of autumn. Android 16 was as a substitute launched a lot earlier, so it’s already out within the wild. Meaning people with fashionable smartphones can anticipate it sooner reasonably than later.
On the whole, it’s best to all the time settle for official updates. Not solely do you get the newest options, however you additionally get safety updates that hold your telephone secure. So, in the event you resolve to take the replace for no different cause, that alone needs to be ok. Whereas Google I/O 2025, the Android I/O Present, and the developer’s beta gave us a fairly good peek at the way forward for Android, I have been testing out the brand new replace now that it is formally right here.
So, if you wish to get enthusiastic about contemporary, new options, I’ve some cool new stuff to share. In case you’re ready to push the replace button, listed here are some options that Google has packed into Android 16 which will assist persuade you to undergo with it.
Materials 3 Expressive
Credit score: Google
Let’s begin with what you’re most probably to see first, and that’s Android 16’s new Materials 3 Expressive UI replace. This introduces a number of adaptive and responsive UI parts to the OS, from buttons that jiggle once you work together with them to app controls which are extra colourful and dynamic than their extra static predecessors.
Yow will discover some examples in Google’s video for it, nevertheless it’s all fairly properly thought out. It received’t change the performance of something, however by giving every little thing a contemporary coat of paint and a extra accountable nature, it undoubtedly makes Android 16 really feel completely different from Android 15, and that’ll grow to be much more obvious as soon as extra apps help the brand new UI.
Adaptive apps make foldables even cooler
Credit score: Google
Talking of apps, Google put some sauce in Android 16 to make these work higher, too. This one received’t be readily obvious but as builders want time to combine it, however the thought is neat. Google calls it Adaptive Apps, and the thought is for app builders to make their apps for a wide range of display screen sizes as a substitute of only one. Now that we’re within the period of foldables, a developer making a mobile-only UI for his or her apps is far more noticeable, and Adaptive Apps fixes that situation.
The concept is fairly easy. Apps would look regular on a typical smartphone show, however would routinely unfold out over the width of the display screen in the event you use them on a pill or a foldable. This solves one of many largest ache factors with bigger shows in that mobile-only apps nonetheless solely operate a technique. Like Materials 3 Expressive, app builders will want a while to get this going, however as soon as they do, it’ll look superior.
Mashable Mild Pace
Stay replace notifications (and stacked notifications)
Credit score: Google
Considered one of my favourite issues about Android updates yearly is the enhancements to notifications. For Android 16, there are two. The primary is what Google calls dwell replace notifications, or “constant progress notifications” in the event you have a look at the API. These notifications provide you with real-time notifications that ship fixed updates. This was made for instances like when ordering Doordash and the notification will present you the motive force’s progress while not having to open the app. There are probably different use instances as properly and builders have free rein to make use of it.
The opposite enchancment is auto-grouping notifications. These take notifications from the identical app and stack them up in a single notification so that you don’t must flick away two, three, or much more notifications from the identical app. This simplifies the notification shade by decreasing the full variety of notifications when the identical app is sending a bunch of them, which I personally can’t wait to see.
Desktop home windows
Credit score: Google
With Android 16, Google launched desktop home windows to the expertise. These will probably be used most frequently on bigger screens like computer systems or tablets, nevertheless it brings Android one step nearer to the opposite OS that makes use of home windows. You understand the one. In any case, this may undoubtedly play with Samsung’s DeX mode. It isn’t accessible but, however shall be later this 12 months, however folks have been capable of strive it out with the QPR1 Beta 2 construct earlier this 12 months.
As well as, bigger shows obtained extra love from Google. Exterior show help has been improved as a operate of Android 16 really having an actual desktop mode now. It will make utilizing your gadgets on bigger screens with peripherals like keyboards and mice a lot better, and offers you yet one more means to make use of your machine otherwise.
Extra safety protections if you would like them
Credit score: Google
Safety is all the time a primary focus with a serious Android replace, and Android 16 isn’t any completely different. Google added just a few new instruments that will help you keep secure and personal. One is known as Identification Verify, which forces biometrics when accessing particular settings and options outdoors of trusted areas. For instance, in case your telephone is stolen and brought elsewhere, they received’t be capable to entry your password autofill with out your fingerprint.
The opposite massive addition is Superior Safety, which principally acts like Home windows Defender. It’s a built-in safety suite that may determine dangerous apps, shield from on-line assaults, and even block spam calls. Lastly, there’s additionally the Security Verify characteristic within the Private Security app that allows you to examine in together with your family members in the event you’re liable to private damage or going someplace by your self.
Higher accessibility, particularly for listening to aids
Credit score: Google
Accessibility additionally obtained a reasonably large increase, which is thrilling for these with impairments. Functionally, the one we expect most individuals will use is the improved help for listening to gadgets within the name app. This provides help for extra listening to machine manufacturers and allows you to use LE Audio gadgets extra simply throughout calls.
As well as, you should utilize your Android 16 telephone as a microphone enter on your LEA listening to aids and in addition modify the ambient quantity for LE Audio listening to gadgets, permitting you to handle your listening to machine far more successfully. Android 16 additionally contains native help for Auracast broadcast audio, which permits Bluetooth LE Audio gadgets to hook up with a number of sources, which generally is a boon for the listening to impaired as properly.
Credit score: Google
These are simply among the highlights of Android 16. We didn’t even point out the app drawer blurring, APV codec help, and the number of enhancements which are coming to Pixel gadgets, just like the hybrid auto publicity characteristic. It’s not the most important Android replace we’ve ever seen, nevertheless it’s obtained loads of neat stuff to take a look at as quickly as you hit that replace button.
