When will your phone be able to run Android 16? The dates are as follows:
With the release of Android 16, your smartphone will get its traditional dose of new features, but there is still some waiting to do. Similar to its 2024 predecessor, this latest iteration of Google's operating system is expected to bring new security and privacy features, boost the device's AI capabilities, and provide traditional performance enhancements. Its official unveiling, which is scheduled for a few weeks from now, is drawing nearer.
The first features of the upcoming major Android update are typically revealed at Google I/O, the company's annual developer conference. The internet company uses this event, which is usually held in the spring, to showcase new features, design updates, and performance enhancements that will be available on all compatible devices.
-When can we expect Android 16?
As usual, Google's new operating system is anticipated to roll out gradually on our smartphones. This is most likely to occur during Google's inaugural conference in mid-May of this year, 2025.
The beta phase will start after it is unveiled at Google I/O, enabling more people to sign up to test new features on compatible phones, report bugs or suggestions to the company, and help improve the operating system. If you have a smartphone that can run this beta, you should get it by late May or early June 2025.
Google Pixel phones typically get the first dibs on the beta version that makes it to the market. These phones will serve as a perfect testing ground for the newest Android features because of Google's strong relationship with its smartphone lineup. However, smartphones from Vivo, Xiaomi, and Samsung have recently joined the party earlier than anticipated, and we think some of their models may be testing Android 16 as early as June 2025. Naturally, these will be the brands' most expensive or high-end phones, followed by older and less expensive models.
When will everyone be able to use the final version of Android 16?
The eagerly anticipated release of Android 16's final version will occur following the traditional beta testing phase. Usually, it is introduced gradually, beginning with Google Pixel smartphones.
In the past, the third quarter of the year, usually August or September, has seen the release of the final version of Android. The final version of Android 16 should be available on the first Pixel devices in late August or early September 2025, if current trends continue.
Patience will be crucial for the remaining smartphone manufacturers. Their update schedules and the difficulty of customizing the new operating system for their particular devices will determine when the final version of Android 16 will be released.
The release date of Android 16 will vary depending on the manufacturer, but it should not begin until 2026. This is because some manufacturers release new versions of Android more quickly than others.
Although there may be rumors regarding release dates prior to that, we advise keeping an eye on the brands' official calendars to find out when each device will be updated. We will have to wait for more information, as other brands may update their devices this year, but Samsung is one of the companies that updates its devices first, after Google.