Android 16 is available in developer beta, here is the update schedule

Android 16 is available in Developer Preview 1 version for developers. This new update of Google’s smartphone software will be gradually worked on and improved as the beta versions progress. Google is even bringing forward its release schedule for versions, for a release of Android 16 brought forward to the second quarter of 2025. As a reminder, Android 15 in final version has been available on Google Pixel smartphones since October 2024. This notable advance in the updates therefore represent a considerable step forward.

Android 16 will arrive earlier than usual

Google took everyone by surprise by launching Android 16 Developer Preview 1 today, while the American giant generally opts for a launch in February for its first beta versions.

With this early update, Google intends to better align software updates and new hardware. In fact, the manufacturer is offering an earlier update in view of the release of future smartphones using Android, in other words, devices from almost all brands except Apple.

Google also wants to bring its schedule closer to that of Apple, thus offering more competitiveness against iOS which is generally developed in three months.

If we look at the general Android 16 release schedule, there will be two developer previews and four betas before the full release.

However, keep in mind that stable versions will be available sometime in March 2025, when the APIs would be finalized and cannot be changed, as developers need to test and optimize applications for the final version. If we compare with Android 15, it is even earlier than usual since the previous update was available in stable version only in June 2024.

New features announced

Android 16 Developer Preview 1 brings significant improvements, including an integrated photo selection experience, improved privacy for your data on Android, better support for the Health Connect app, and a new API to distinguish Android 16 previous versions. Many apps didn’t adopt the photo selection option earlier due to its lack of direct integration, which will now be fixed in Android 16. The Health Connect app is also getting a major update , namely the possibility of writing medical records.

We therefore recommend that you wait a little before updating your smartphone to Android 16 Developer Preview and we even do not recommend it. It is recommended to wait for Android 16 beta 3 which will be released in March in order to maintain a stable device. As a reminder, Google Pixels will be first served.