Android 16 Expected Release Date, Features, and Eligible Devices: All You Need to Know

Android 16 is all set to be the next major Android OS version in the mobile industry, expected to bring plenty of new features and significant performance improvements over Android 15. As Android 16 Developer Preview 1 (DP1) has already made its debut for app devs, many fans eagerly waiting for its release. If you’re one of them, check out Android 16 expected release date, features, and eligible devices.

Yes! This time Google released the developer preview of Android 16 quite earlier. The Android 16 Public Beta build may start rolling out to eligible Pixel devices by Q1 2025, probably in January. So, we can assume that the official stable build of Android 16, codenamed ‘Baklava’ will be released by June 2025.

It’ll be initially pushed to supported Google Pixel devices and will be widely available as development progresses. It’ll ensure more refined multitasking, notifications, privacy settings, and a smoother seamless user experience than ever. So, let’s take a quick look at the brief information on the release date, features, and compatible devices below.

Android 16 Release Date (Timeline)

We’ve already witnessed the Android 16 developer preview 1 build on 19th November 2024, a few months ago than its previous trend. Meanwhile, the Android 16 developer preview 2 (DP2) will most probably arrive in December 2024 as per reports.

After pushing a couple of public beta builds (each update every month), Google will release the final stable Android 16 OS in Q2 2025 (around May-June). More SDK releases and quarterly Android releases will also arrive by Q4 2025.

We’ll keep updating the exact release date whenever the details are available via official sources.

Android 16 Features (Confirmed)

With the early development of Android 16, fans are eagerly waiting for the public beta or official stable release to test out on their eligible devices. The upcoming features and improvements will surely enhance the overall Android 16 user experience by a huge margin.

Here we’ve provided all the confirmed features or changes by Google as per Android 16 developer preview 1. We’ll keep updating more confirmed features to the list whenever available.

Embedded Photo Picker:

The embedded photo picker functionality on Android 16 will offer a more refined and safe way for users to grant your app access. It’ll help to select required media files from both the local and cloud storage. So, you don’t have to allow the full media library access to any application.

Health Records:

The Android 16 developer preview 1 also included Health Connect support with health records. It’ll allow applications to read and write medical records in FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) format by user consent.

You can also consider it an EHR (Electronic Health Record) that can be used by multiple healthcare providers to digitally collect a patient’s medical information. This API is currently in the early access program, allowing the app developers to sign up for it.

Privacy Sandbox on Android:

Android 16 DP1 comes with the latest version of the Privacy Sandbox feature, allowing the app devs to implement technologies for users to know their privacy is protected. You can check more details on the Android Privacy Sandbox here.

Bluetooth LE Audio Sharing:

Audio Sharing is also a useful feature that has been added to Android 16 DP1. You can enable it via Settings > Connected devices > Connection preferences > Audio sharing. Once enabled on the phone, it’ll allow users to connect multiple Bluetooth LE audio devices (headphones) simultaneously to share music seamlessly.

This feature also allows you to create an ‘Audio stream’ as an access point on your Android device using a unique identifying name and password protection. It’s quite similar to Auracast.

7-Day Privacy Dashboard:

The Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 offers a ‘Privacy dashboard’ for up to 24-hour data history of apps that usually access Location, Camera, and Microphone on your mobile.

Now, Android 16 Developer Preview 1 increased it to ‘Show 7 days’ in the Privacy dashboard. So, you’ll now get full insight into a week on which apps and services were using the mic, camera, and location.

Modes (Replaces DND):

It’s confirmed that Android 16 now uses ‘Modes’ as a replacement for a widely adopted Do Not Disturb (DND). To recall, Modes functionality was initially introduced in Android 15 QPR2.

Now, you’ll be able to easily create multiple types of Modes as per your requirement on Android 16 instead of DND. It’ll be very useful to quickly switch between multiple modes that you’ve created.

Such as bedtime modes, gaming modes, driving modes, etc. You can also customize icons and behaviors of different modes.

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Android 16 Expected Features

There are several upcoming or expected features mentioned below of Android 16 that we can hold until the latest OS version is released in the stable version. The developer preview and public beta builds include potential stability issues. So, the final result can be different depending on platform stability.

Notification Cooldown:

The Android 15 Developer Preview 1 was released in Q1 2024 and the ‘Notification Cooldown’ feature was added. Whenever you receive multiple notifications quickly and from the same app, this feature minimizes the notification volume and screen alerts for a few minutes.

It usually prevents your phone from going wild all of a sudden when you receive plenty of notification alerts instantly. For example; if you don’t use the internet on your phone for a few hours, you’ll receive a bunch of notifications from multiple apps rapidly after enabling the internet access.

So, this feature will come in handy at that time. This is what notification cooldown means. The best part is that it won’t interfere with the incoming call or alarm volume levels. Unfortunately, Google did remove this feature from Android 15 Beta 1 due to some reasons, and hasn’t returned yet. So, there is a possibility of a strong comeback.

Enhanced File Sharing:

• Quick Share: Integration of Nearby Share and Samsung’s Quick Share feature will be improved much better in Android 16 for seamless sharing across all connected devices such as Android, Chromebook, and Windows platforms. It’ll allow more efficient and easier sharing.

Advanced Privacy and Security:

• Privacy Controls: We’re also expecting that advanced privacy and security controls will be added in Android 16. Currently, Android 15 offers random anonymized MAC addresses and options to hide device names on Wi-Fi networks, enhancing user privacy in public networks.
• Cellular Security: Enhanced measures to protect against threats like fake cell towers, ensuring safer cellular connections​.

Satellite Communication Support:

The Satellite communication feature has been added to Android 15. It’ll natively support communication services in areas where the cellular network coverage doesn’t work. So, it works as a backup process for calling or messaging without requiring internet connection and cellular connectivity.​

So, we’re expecting that Android 16 will improve the satellite connectivity support on a wider range to work seamlessly.

Improved Camera and Media Controls:

All three mentioned features should be enhanced on Android 16 because all of them are quite useful for a specific group of users.

• Low Light Boost: Enhanced auto-exposure mode for better performance in low-light conditions.
• HDR Headroom Control: Greater control over HDR content to balance between SDR and HDR.
• In-App Camera Controls: More control over camera hardware and algorithms, enhancing the photography experience​.

User Interface Enhancements:

Talking about the quick settings tile, keyboard feedback vibration, and default wallet apps, they’re also expected to improve over time. So, we’re hopeful that Google will address common bugs and stability issues of these to improve them on Android 16.

• Quick Settings: Refined UI for Quick Settings, making key features more accessible.
• Keyboard Vibration: Enhanced controls for keyboard feedback settings.
• Default Wallet Apps: Users can set their preferred NFC payment apps as default, improving the mobile payment experience.

Performance and Battery:

These days most Android devices do come with the typical 5000mAh battery and fast charging support which initially runs for a full day. But as the device gets old and receives a few software updates, the battery draining increases automatically.

So, Google will work on battery improvements and charging efficiency on Android 16 which will enhance the overall performance of the devices. Additionally, background running applications and internet connectivity always consume a few percentage of battery juice.

That’s why Google releases battery optimization features on every Android OS release. So, there will be no exception.

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List of Android 16 Eligible Devices

Here we’ve listed all the compatible Android smartphones and tablet devices that are expected to receive the Android 16 update officially in 2025. As the Android 16 OS version hasn’t been released officially by Google, some of the device models may or may not be part of it. So, we’ll keep updating this article for your ease.

ASUS Android 16 Eligible Devices:

• ASUS ROG Phone 8
• ASUS ROG Phone 8 Pro
• ASUS Zenfone 11 Ultra

Fairphone Android 16 Eligible Devices:

• Fairphone 5

Google Pixel Android 16 Eligible Devices:

• Pixel 6 series – 6 / 6 Pro / 6a
• Pixel 7 series – 7 / 7 Pro / 7a
• Pixel 8 series – 8 / 8 Pro / 8a
• Pixel 9 series 9 / 9 Pro / 9 Pro XL / 9 Pro Fold
• Pixel Tablet
• Pixel Fold

HMD Android 16 Eligible Devices:

• HMD Pulse
• HMD Pulse+
• HMD Pulse Pro

Honor Android 16 Eligible Devices:

• Honor Magic Vs
• Honor Magic5 Pro
• Honor Magic6
• Honor Magic6 Pro
• Honor X50 Pro

Motorola Android 16 Eligible Devices:

• Motorola Edge 50 Fusion
• Motorola Edge 50 Pro
• Motorola Edge 50 Ultra
• Motorola Lenovo ThinkPhone

Nothing Phone Android 16 Eligible Devices:

• Nothing Phone 2
• Nothing Phone 2a

OnePlus Android 16 Eligible Devices:

• OnePlus 11
• OnePlus 12
• OnePlus 12R
• OnePlus Nord 3
• OnePlus Nord CE4
• OnePlus OPEN

OPPO Android 16 Eligible Devices:

• OPPO Find X6
• OPPO Find X6 Pro
• OPPO Find N3 Flip

Realme Android 16 Eligible Devices:

• Realme 12
• Realme 12 Pro
• Realme 12 Pro+
• Realme 12+
• Realme Nazro 70 Pro

Samsung Android 16 Eligible Devices:

• Samsung Galaxy A15 (4G & 5G)
• Galaxy A25
• Galaxy A33
• Galaxy A34
• Galaxy A35
• Galaxy A53
• Galaxy A54
• Galaxy A55
• Galaxy A73
• Galaxy F15
• Galaxy M15
• Galaxy M34 (5G)
• Galaxy S21 FE (5G)
• Galaxy S22
• Galaxy S22 Plus
• Galaxy S22 Ultra
• Galaxy S23
• Galaxy S23 FE
• Galaxy S23 Plus
• Galaxy S23 Ultra
• Galaxy S24
• Galaxy S24 Plus
• Galaxy S24 Ultra
• Galaxy Xcover 7
• Galaxy Z Fold4
• Galaxy Z Fold5
• Galaxy Z Flip4
• Galaxy Z Flip5

Sony Android 16 Eligible Devices:

• Sony Xperia 1 VI
• Sony Xperia 10 VI

Xiaomi Android 16 Eligible Devices:

• Poco X6 Pro
• Xiaomi 13
• Xiaomi 13 Pro
• Xiaomi 13 Ultra
• Xiaomi 13T
• Xiaomi 13T Pro
• Xiaomi 14
• Xiaomi 14 Ultra

The Bottom Line:

Android 16 will continue the legacy and trend of making the Android ecosystem more robust, user-friendly, and secure. There is no doubt about it. We expect to see a major visual change in the display elements and user interface.

The improvements with sharing, connectivity, performance, battery, quick settings tile, etc will play a major role. Talking about the expected Android 16 release date, we’ll witness some huge improvements. Most latest flagship and mid-range handsets from popular brands should be eligible to receive the Android 16 update officially.

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