Android 16 shakes the typical Google release cycle. While the new versions of Android were generally published in the fall (Android 12, 14 and 15 each being stable in October 2021, 2023 and 2024, respectively), Android 16 should be finished in the second quarter of this year, ready In time to ship on pixel phones of 2025. In accordance with this calendar, the Android 16 beta period started last week.
I caught Android 16 Beta 1 last week and used it on my Pixel 9 Pro all weekend. This has had a smooth navigation – but according to my experience so far, it has not been different either from the use of Android 15. If you are passionate about the end of the version on the version Beta, know that you are not missing much about it to indicate. Android 16 will bring changes later, but when it comes to the beta version, few things have changed on the user side.
Android 16 beta 1: Samey, but stable
Android has reached a certain level of maturity. In terms of aspect and feeling of time, Android 16 Beta 1 is almost indistinguishable from Android 15 – which is not very different from Android 14, or 13. In 2021, we called Android 12 “the most Large update of your phone in years, “but since then, the following versions have been iterations on this foundation.
Larger UX changes can happen in subsequent beta versions. By searching in the various beta constructions of Android 15 in recent months, Mishaal Rahman has found evidence of certain major changes to come, including a fully redesigned fast parameter panel and the option of placing any application In a floating “bubble”. Elsewhere, we have heard that Android 16 could let us change the forms of application icons.
However, none of this is present in Android 16 Beta 1. Coming from Android 15 on my Pixel 9 Pro, I did not notice any difference in equipment using Android 16 Beta 1 (except for some minor bugs, but more about this later). I have not seen each Android 16 screen has to offer, so it is possible to have missed something, somewhere – but with regard to major new features, accessible to the user, such as quick sets redrawn or new forms of icons, there is still nothing here.
So, Android 16 Beta 1 could be a bit of a bust for Android fans who itch to try something new, but that opens the way to what will be appreciable changes all over the line. Android 16 Beta 1 supports a new type of Google notification calls updates live, which are intended to show the progress of current activities such as navigation or food delivery. Live updates are particularly similar to those of Apple Live activitiesWho made his debut on iOS 18. Individual developers will have to configure live updates for their applications, but we must expect to see them implemented for applications like Uber and Doordash.
The applications targeting Android 16 – which will include most of the applications you use, sooner or later – will work better on tablets and foldables, because Google makes them rebuilt by default. The change does not yet include games, but Google says it also happens, in Android 17 next year. The applications targeting Android 16 or more will also have predictive return animations activated by default, although developers can always withdraw. Predictive back animations exist from Android 13, but as they have been optional, few application developers have integrated them. They are always optional on Android 16, but being opt-out rather than the opt-in means that we should soon see an increase in adoption.
Android 16 also supports the advanced video codec from Samsung, developed by Samsung, which can offer “video quality without perceptual loss” to management sizes. There are also many other changes centered on developers on board; See the editorial staff of Mishaal for a more in-depth examination of the Nitty-Gritty.
Related
The first beta version of Android 16 is there with major improvements on tablets and live iOS updates
No flashing required – just opt and download
All types of edge -on -board improvements will increase a difference in the overall Android experience. But with regard to the beta version, there are not many reasons for non-development enthusiasts to get on the walking train. Subsequent beta could introduce larger changes oriented on users, of course; The Android 16 Beta is supposed to enter the stability of the platform in March or down, in a few weeks.
Although it is a little disappointing for Android Nerds that the first beta version did not come with more radical user interface changes, on the reverse, I did not meet any major bug. I saw a little oddity, but nothing that made me regret to drop the beta version on my daily driver. Sometimes, when I press the Google search widget, then enter a search query, the search button will not really do the search and I will have to leave the user interface and start again. I also saw the viewfinder of the camera not to show what the camera see, displaying rather solid black (although I have still been able to take photos). I could not identify the causes of these strange behaviors, but none was very common.
Android 16 beta 1 is available for download now
Source: Google / Android Police
It is therefore my first weekend with Android 16 Beta 1: For the moment, it is almost the same thing as Android 15. Overall, it is probably a good thing. Many people use Android and scanning revisions at the user interface or features can be alienated for less committed users. We, enthusiasts, could get larger changes to chew in subsequent versions, but for the moment, Android 16 Beta 1 is at least stable enough.
You can enter Android 16 Beta 1 on Pixel phones (Pixel 6 or more recent) or the Pixel tablet at the moment at Google Beta Android program registration website.
