Android 16: The Next Big Thing
Everything you need to know about Android 16 – AI, Features, Release Date, Eligible Devices, Development, and One UI 8
By Yash, Tech Journalist and Samsung Enthusiast
Last updated on February 1, 2025
Android 16, codenamed “Baklava,” is set to be one of the most significant mobile platform updates in recent years. Here’s a comprehensive look at what to expect from this next evolution in Android.
The Android 16 is officially available for development, Beta testing, and feedback! Google promised a major and a minor OS release in 2025. Android 16 is the first and indeed the major version of the company’s mobile platform.
Google pledged to release the new OS earlier than the previous Android launches. An early availability will help OEMs to ship their latest devices with the most recent OS version without requiring users to wait for months.
Two Android API releases in 2025
Google will release two Android APIs in 2025, including a major and a minor.
The major release (Android v16) is planned to launch in Q2 of the year, which will be the only version to bring planned behavior changes.
The minor release is likely to roll out in Q4 this year, bringing feature updates, optimizations, and bug fixes; it will not include any app-impacting behavior changes.
In between the major and minor API releases, Google pledged to push incremental firmware updates to ensure continuous quality.
Artificial Intelligence
With Android 16, Google is set to deepen the integration of AI across the OS. Features like AI-powered notification management and Live Updates suggest a focus on making the user experience more intuitive and personalized.
Pixel 8 series marked the arrival of integrated Google AI with Android 14. Google elevated AI and Generative AI capabilities with the Pixel 9 series. Android 15 brings fruitful upgrades so your devices can seamlessly execute AI tasks.
Android 16’s likely to further harness the Gemini model for your next devices. Apart from enhancing core features, Google’s direction is clearly towards leveraging machine learning to enhance both functionality and user interaction.
Development Roadmap & Release Date
The development cycle for Android v16 has been notably accelerated.
The first Developer Preview was released in November 2024, with a subsequent preview version followed in December.
- These early releases are aimed at developers to test and optimize their apps for the new OS features.
January 2025 welcomed the first public Beta of Android 16, much earlier than previous versions of the mobile platform.
Roadmap suggests the second, third, and fourth public Betas will be made available in February, March (Platform Stability), and April, respectively.
- Public beta lets enthusiasts try out the new functionalities before the official rollout.
Release Date
Android v16 will reach the Platform Stability milestone with Beta in March. Google has confirmed that the new OS update will be released around the first week of June 2025.
- As per AndroidHeadlines, Android 16 will launch on June 3, 2025.
Eligible Devices
All Pixel devices from the Pixel 6 series onwards will receive the Android 16 update. Other Android vendors like Samsung, Xiaomi, OPPO, vivo, and OnePlus are expected to follow suit as per their software adoption and distribution strategy.
- Pixel 6a, 6, and 6 Pro
- Pixel 7a, 7, and 7 Pro
- Pixel 8a, 8, and 8 Pro
- Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL and 9 Pro Fold
- Pixel Tablet
- Pixel Fold
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 series would be the first to receive Android 16-based One UI 8 Beta. The company’s flagship range is eligible for up to seven years of OS upgrades, ensuring the new OS upgrade for models as old as the S22 series.

Source – Google / Android Developers
Key Features
UI and Design Changes:
Google would tweak select segments of the user interface in Android 16. It is reported that the quick panel and notification sections would be refined as well and the volume control UI is also planned for a component-level revamp.
Privacy and Security:
Android 16 continues to bolster user privacy with the Privacy Sandbox and introduces new security features like support for Wi-Fi 6’s 802.11az standard, which includes AES-256 encryption for proximity-based operations.
Live Updates:
Android 16 comes with Live Updates, a new class of notifications for ongoing activities. Live Updates are prominently displayed on the lock screen and status bar for real-time notifications, alerts, navigation, and other use cases.

Image via Google
Enhanced Notifications:
Android 16 brings a “notification cooldown” feature. It uses AI to reduce distractions by lowering notification sound and visual prominence when notifications come in rapid succession. This feature aims to improve user experience by minimizing disruptions.
Audio Sharing:
Android 16 is likely to introduce Audio Sharing feature. Using Bluetooth LE Audio’s Auracast technology, users can now stream audio to multiple devices simultaneously, enhancing group listening experiences without the hassle of complex pairings.
Adaptive Refresh Rate:
As your phones boast high refresh rate displays, Android 16 is upgrading accordingly. The new version supports adaptive refresh rates more natively, optimizing battery life while ensuring a smooth user interface.
One UI 8, powered by Android 16

(Credit – Smartprix)
Samsung is renowned for customizing Android with its One UI, and with Android 16, the company is expected to introduce One UI 8.0.
One UI 8 is slated to roll out in the second half of 2025, but Google’s early release of Android 16 might lead Samsung to accelerate its schedule.
Decal Shader
Leaked code hinted that the One UI 8 might bring some beloved features from TouchWiz UI, including enhanced home screen transitions or new lock screen animations.
