News, leaks and release windows

Android 15 has only just begun to reach Pixel smartphones, and at the time of writing the rollout is still underway – my own Google Pixel 9 Pro Haven’t seen the official release yet. Although we’re still in the early days of Android 15, we’ve already heard a surprising amount about next year’s major release, Android 16. Over the last few weeks we’ve had leaks and rumors about codenames, potential new features, and even an unexpected release window. Here’s everything you need to know about Android 16 (so far).

Android 16 leaks and rumors: What we’ve heard so far

A codename that breaks conventions, and some new features to boot

Jules Wang/AP

Android 16 won’t launch until next year and even the public beta program is still months away. Still, we’re starting to get an idea of ​​what the update might look like, thanks largely to reporting from Android expert Mishaal Rahman.

The next Android version may violate Google’s established naming convention. Android versions have long had dessert-inspired codenames that begin with letters that move sequentially through the alphabet: Android 2.0 Eclair, 2.2 Froyo, 2.3 Gingerbread, etc., all the way up to Android 15 Vanilla Ice Cream. Based on this pattern, we would expect Android 16’s codename to start with W.

Apparently not so. Writing for Android Authority, Rahman reports that Android 16 will be codenamed Baklava. Rahman says the rollback is related to a change in Android development: Version 16 is intended to establish a trunk-based development model for Android, meaning the operating system will see small code changes more frequently, rather than larger ones every few months.

As for the features that users will feel right away, we’ve already seen enough rumors that it seems obvious that Android 16 will be a more significant update than this year’s Android 15 was.

As Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman reports, Android 16 could once again introduce a completely redesigned Quick Settings panel. The updated panel has a new look and there are controversial new features in the version that Rahman was able to get working by tinkering with the Android 15 QPR beta. As tested in September, the redesigned panel ensures that your notifications appear when you swipe down from the top of the screen. However, to access Quick Settings, you have to swipe down with two fingers.

While it’s overdue for a fresh coat of paint, I don’t think the two-finger gesture will be the only way to access quick settings in the final version of Android 16. For one thing, it’s the remarkably poor UX design that would make it anything but good. Accessing the quick settings with one hand is impossible. But swiping down from the top of the display with two fingers has also led to a complete expansion of the quick settings for years, and this also applies from Android 15. At this point, I can’t imagine that a direct two is needed to access quick settings -Finger gesture would be required Design provides a stable version.

The brightness slider in Android 16’s quick settings panel will apparently look more like the optimized volume settings in Android 15, with a thicker bar and a larger touch target. At the current stage of development, it also shows your display’s brightness as a percentage as you make adjustments – a nice touch, although I think the functionality might make more sense as a developer option.

We may get the ability to place any app in a floating “bubble” in Android 16. While Android has offered functionality since Android 11 that generates a floating shortcut to a specific app, in the past these so-called bubbles only worked for chat apps. Rahman says Android 16 could extend this functionality to every app on your device, allowing temporary bubble-style shortcuts to browsers, utility apps and more.

Source: Android Authority

Android 16 could integrate Google’s Advanced Protection features into the Android operating system. Advanced Protection is designed to provide additional protection for users who are at increased risk of phishing, surveillance and other online attacks. In Android 16, there may be an option to enable Advanced Protection directly in your phone’s Settings. It appears there will also be a new Advanced Protection API that will allow apps to detect whether you are enrolled in the program and act accordingly, tailoring functionality to your security needs.

Thanks to priority modes, Do Not Disturb could get a boost in Android 16. Rahman writes that these modes are user-configurable notification settings that allow you to set a name, icon, and conditions under which the modes will launch. Each priority mode can allow different notifications from different apps and contacts; For example, a sleep priority mode could mute all notifications that are not from defined contacts, while a work priority mode could disable social media and game notifications.

When will Android 16 be released?

Google is apparently ahead of schedule for 2025

Android 16 is reportedly way ahead of schedule

Jules Wang/AP

While Android versions have long been released in either the late third or early fourth quarter of the year, Android 16 could be available sooner. Citing hidden references in Android 15’s compatibility definition document, Mishaal Rahman says Android 16 is targeting a Q2 2025 release – meaning there will be a stable release sometime before July.

Since the number of Android versions is getting smaller as features are regularly added in AOSP, an earlier release date for the next version is quite credible. Although it’s still early days, we’ll be following leaks, rumors and official news about the next major Android release until, and even after, Android 16 hits our phones; Check back regularly to find out about the latest developments.