MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA June 12, 2025 In a significant departure from its traditional autumn release schedule, Google has officially begun rolling out Android 16 to its lineup of Pixel smartphones and devices. The update, which became available to users this week, introduces a host of new features focused on artificial intelligence, user convenience, and a substantial boost in privacy and security, setting a new standard for the mobile operating system.
The unexpected early release means owners of Pixel devices from the Pixel 6 series onwards, including the Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet, will be the first to experience the next generation of Android, months ahead of the usual timeline. While the stable version is out now, Google has indicated that some of the most significant visual changes, part of a new design language called "Material 3 Expressive," will arrive in a subsequent Quarterly Platform Release (QPR1) expected in September.
A Smarter, More Convenient Experience
At the forefront of Android 16 are features designed to streamline user interaction and provide more glanceable information. A major update to the notification system introduces "Live Updates," a feature similar to Apple's Live Activities. This will allow apps like ride-sharing and food delivery services to display real-time progress directly on the lock screen and in the notification shade, reducing the need to constantly open the app. To further combat notification clutter, Android 16 will now automatically group all notifications from a single app.
Productivity on larger screens, a key focus for Google, gets a significant boost with the introduction of a "desktop windowing" mode. Developed in close collaboration with Samsung, this feature, set to roll out later this year, will allow users on tablets and foldables to open, move, and resize multiple app windows simultaneously, creating a true desktop-like multitasking environment.
Accessibility has also seen considerable improvements. Android 16 offers enhanced support for hearing aids, allowing users to switch to their phone's microphone for clearer calls in noisy environments and providing native controls for volume and settings directly within the OS.
For shutterbugs and media consumers, the new OS brings support for HDR screenshots, more precise color temperature adjustments in the camera, and improved support for UltraHDR images with HEIC encoding.
Pixel-Exclusive AI Features Take Center Stage
Coinciding with the Android 16 launch is the June Pixel Feature Drop, which leverages Google's AI prowess to deliver exclusive experiences. The Google Photos app now includes AI-powered edit suggestions, intelligently analyzing images and recommending one-tap enhancements.
The Gboard keyboard gets a creative boost with AI-generated stickers. Users can type a text prompt to create custom stickers on the fly, adding a new layer of personalization to conversations. Another new addition is the "Pixel VIPs" widget, allowing users to pin important contacts to their home screen for quick access to recent messages, calls, and shared location information.
A Fortress of Security: Advanced Protection
Perhaps the most significant leap in Android 16 is in the realm of security. Google has introduced "Advanced Protection," a comprehensive suite of security features that can be enabled with a single tap. This mode is designed to protect users, particularly those at high risk like journalists and activists, from sophisticated online attacks, malicious apps, unsafe websites, and scam calls.
The new OS strengthens defenses against theft with features like an inactivity reboot and an offline device lock. On-device AI plays a crucial role in enhancing scam detection within messages and calls, with all processing happening securely on the device to maintain user privacy. Further bolstering security, Android 16 adds support for KeyMint version 4.0, which enhances the integrity verification of the system software.
Availability and What's Next
The Android 16 stable update is currently rolling out via an over-the-air (OTA) update to the following Pixel devices:
- Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and Pixel 6a
- Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel 7a
- Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel 8a
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel Tablet
Users of compatible devices can check for the update by navigating to Settings System Software update.
While the core of Android 16 is now available, the full visual overhaul with "Material 3 Expressive," featuring more "springy" animations and a refreshed design, is slated to arrive with the first feature drop in September, likely coinciding with the launch of the Pixel 10 lineup. This staggered release strategy allows Google to get the foundational improvements of Android 16 into the hands of users and developers earlier than ever, while continuing to refine the user interface for a later release. Other Android manufacturers are expected to begin rolling out Android 16 to their respective flagship devices later this year.
