Google usually releases its new Android software updates in the third or fourth quarter of each year. Just to put things in perspective, the last time Google didn’t release a new Android update in the last three months of the year was with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, way back in 2012.

When is Android 16 released?

Android 16 will roll out via a major release in Q2 2025, while another minor release will follow in Q4 2025. Google says the major release “will include behavioral changes that may affect apps.” Meanwhile, the fourth quarter minor release will include “feature updates, optimizations, and bug fixes from the major release.” Google specifically states that the minor update will not include any “app-impacting behavior changes.”

Google says the move from Q3 to Q2 for the Android 16 launch is happening to “better align with the device launch schedule in our ecosystem, so more devices can get the update.” major version of Android earlier”.

Although Google hasn’t officially made any announcements, it is widely expected that the change in planning for Andorid 16 could help deliver the latest updates sooner to all Android devices and not just Pixel phones. Even this year, OEMs like Vivo and iQOO beat Google when they launched the latest version of FuntouchOS 15 even before the Pixel 9 series and as rumors suggest, this could be a trend that could continue over the course of of the coming year.

Meanwhile, the previous release also more or less confirms that Google plans to stick to the August launch cycle for new Pixel devices, like this year.

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Published: Nov 1, 2024, 10:07 AM IST