Nov 01, 2024 17:00:00

'Android 16' is scheduled to be released in the second quarter of 2025, earlier than usual, and may be installed on the Pixel 10 series from the start

Android, a mobile OS developed by Google, has released its latest version in August, September, and October each year. However, in an Android Developer Blog on October 31, 2024, it was announced that 'Android 16', which is scheduled to appear in 2025, will be released in the second quarter of 2025 (April to June), earlier than usual.

Android Developers Blog: More frequent Android SDK releases: faster innovation, higher quality and more polish
https://android-developers.googleblog.com/2024/10/android-sdk-release-update.html

Google confirms Android 16 is coming earlier than usual
https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-release-date-info-3495210/

Here's why Google is overhauling Android's release schedule with Android 16
https://www.androidauthority.com/android-release-schedule-faster-3495223/

Google announced in a blog post on October 31 that it will release Android software development kits (SDKs) more frequently in the future, with major releases of Android 16 coming in the second quarter of 2025 and minor releases in the fourth quarter (October to December).

The diagram below shows the two releases that will take place in 2025. The major release of Android 16 in Q2 will include behavior changes that may affect apps. Meanwhile, the minor release in Q4 will include feature updates, optimizations, and bug fixes since the major release, but will not include behavior changes that will affect apps. In addition, updates will be provided in Q1 and Q3 to ensure continued quality.

When asked why the major release of Android 16 is scheduled for Q2 instead of the usual Q3-4, Google said, 'This is to align with device launch schedules across the ecosystem so that more devices can get the major Android release sooner.'

For example, the Pixel series, a genuine Google smartphone, is usually released around October, although the Pixel 9 series, which will be released in 2024, was released in August. As a result, the release of the Android version that will be released in that year was not in time, and at the time of launch, the phone was equipped with the version of Android that was released the previous year.

With the major release of Android 16 coming in the second quarter, it is highly likely that the Pixel 10 series coming in 2025 will be equipped with the latest Android 16 from the start. Google has stated that a developer preview of the major release of Android 16 will be available soon.