Google released Android 16 stable update today, the earliest major update in years, starting with Pixel devices. Samsung users will wait longer for the update. Here’s what Android 16 offers and why Galaxy fans are on hold.

Stable Android 16 update brings a fresh design, better notifications, accessibility, security, and tablet features. Pixel users can dive in now, but Samsung fans must wait for One UI 8, which is set to debut with Galaxy Z7 series next month.

Android 16 introduces Material 3 Expressive design, making phones easier to use. It features a cleaner interface, smoother animations, and a unified look. Pixels get it first, while Samsung’s One UI will adapt it later.

Source – Google

Android 16 groups notifications from the same app to reduce clutter. Live updates for ride-share and food delivery apps, like Uber, keep you informed in real-time. Samsung’s Now Bar will support this soon.

Apart from this, for hearing aid users, Android 16 improves call clarity by using the phone’s microphone in noisy places. Native controls let you adjust hearing device settings, like volume, directly from your phone.

Android 16’s Advanced Protection offers top-tier security against online threats, harmful apps, and scam calls. Activate it with one tap for peace of mind, while Samsung users will wait for One UI integration.

Android 16 enhances tablets with desktop windowing, letting you resize and move app windows. Built with Samsung’s DeX, it arrives later this year. Custom keyboard shortcuts and taskbar overflow are also coming.

Android 16 includes HDR screenshots, adaptive refresh rates, and identity checks. More Material 3 updates will hit Pixel devices and Wear OS 6 later. Samsung’s Galaxy Watches running Wear OS will eventually benefit.

Samsung customizes Android with One UI, delaying updates for Galaxy devices. While Pixel users enjoy Android 16 now, Samsung’s rollout may take weeks or months, despite the early launch, which is highly likely in July.

Samsung Galaxy devices have started getting the Google May 2025 Play System update. This update brings new features, improvements, and fixes to make your device work better, safer, and easier to use with Google Play Services.

May 2025 Play System update improves how you set up your device in the car and makes it easier to manage your Google account. It also fixes bugs on phones, TVs, Android Auto, PCs, and smartwatches. App developers get better tools to improve app security, health features, and account settings.

There’s also a new look for the Bluetooth settings screen, and phones and TVs now connect more smoothly to other devices. A new storage setting helps you see what’s using space on your phone and manage it better. Autofill is now available in more countries.

Image via Samsung Community

Google Wallet now supports digital IDs in more places. It makes it more useful in daily life. The latest Android WebView has stronger security, fewer bugs, and better tools for showing web content.

The Google Play Store also got enhanced, which adds a new “Travel” tab, better app suggestions, and improved search for large-screen devices. It also lets you search inside videos and get alerts for special app deals.

Currently, the May 2025 Play System update has been spotted on the Galaxy S25 series. The company will soon expand to more Galaxy devices soon. You can check the update via Settings >> Privacy and Security >> Updates >> Play System update.

Google has just rolled out its June 2025 Play System update for Android devices. It comes with helpful changes to Google Play services, Google Wallet, and the Google Play Store. Here’s a quick look at what’s new.

First, Google Play services is now at version 25.2. Google has added new tools to help app makers (including third-party developers) handle account management better in their apps. This should make logging in and managing accounts easier and safer for users.

Moreover, Google Wallet gets some bug fixes. Google hasn’t shared all the details, but the fixes should make Wallet run more smoothly, so using it should feel a bit more reliable.

Google Play Store has also been updated to version 46.5, and it brings some fun and helpful features. If you enjoy reading Webtoons, you’ll notice redesigned Webtoon previews that are easier to browse and read. In addition, Google has also improved its survey feature, which means you might see better and faster surveys that ask for your feedback.

Now, you can find event details easily with the new “View” button on event cards. Now, when you’re browsing or searching in the Play Store, you can tap this button to quickly see more info about app events or promos.

The featured in-app items section has been refreshed on both phones and PCs. This means better suggestions and a cleaner look when checking out in-app purchases.

Google will soon add more enhancements to its services. Stay tuned for more information.

Android 16 is set to integrate Flashlight Brightness controls. For years, Google Pixel owners have been waiting for this useful feature that fixes the dim brightness of the phone’s LED flashlight, making it a bit more practical.

Google seems to have developed a Flashlight Brightness slider for Pixel phones, which will be deployed with the next Android 16 update. Meanwhile, Google News channel on Telegram has just gave our first look at this torch upgrade.

Flashlight Strength

Smartphone cameras come with a tiny yet useful LED flashlight. Its primary use is to light up the scene in intense dark conditions like night. However, the flashlight can also be used as a torch to help the user in certain conditions.

The LED flashlight can be turned on using the phone’s Quick Settings. Beyond that, OEMs like Samsung and Apple brought a brightness slider for the flashlight. It lets you adjust the strength of the flashlight, be it lower or higher.

Google took over 8 years for this – Literally

Android 13 introduced API support, enabling app developers to create an intensity slider for a flashlight. Meanwhile, Google’s own Pixel phones have missed the strength slider feature, sticking to a default level of LED flash.

Google is set to end the wait of Pixel fans with Android 16. The main OS upgrade won’t bring it to devices, but it would be installed as part of a Feature Drop later. Though a bit late, Pixel users are getting the basic features they deserve.

Samsung phones have Torch Brightness feature way back since early 2017. The Galaxy S7 was one of the first devices to bring a flashlight slider. That said, Google took over 8 years to install this basic feature on its own Pixel phones.

Google dropped some exciting news at I/O 2025, unveiling Android 16 and its slick new Live Updates feature, which is coming to Samsung phones with One UI 8 later this year.

Live Updates is all about showing ongoing activities on your lock screen, Always-On Display (AOD), notifications panel, or status bar. This feature is going to make your lock screen a lot more lively, coming with the One UI 8 update.

At I/O 2025, Google showed off a preview of Live Updates on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. For instance, imagine ordering food from Uber Eats and seeing the progress live: from the restaurant preparing the meal to the driver delivering at your door.

Beyond real-time updates, the Live Updates progress bar had five segments, each likely tied to a step in the delivery process, and there are handy buttons for calling, messaging, or tipping your driver right from the notification.

Google confirmed it’ll also work with navigation and ride-hailing apps. Google hinted that more app types could get support based on how developers use them. That said, it’s going to be a major upgrade over the Now Bar feature of One UI 7.

While we don’t have an exact release date for One UI 8, knowing Samsung’s track record, it’ll likely roll out around August or September. A Beta Program with massive procedure shifts is approaching Galaxy users, highly likely to launch in two weeks.

The company also teased that Live Updates will hit Galaxy Watches with a Wear OS update in late 2026. As a Samsung fan, I’m excited to see how the Android 16 Live Updates feature will make our phones and watches even more useful.

Image: Android 16 Live Updates | Via – 9to5Google