Android 16 officially released

Android 16 officially released
Today Google unveiled the final, stable build of Android 16, now available for smartphones, tablets, and other Android-powered devices.

As expected, the update is landing first on Google's own Pixel phones as well as the Pixel Tablet. At the same time, support for the oldest Pixel models is ending, with Android 16 available starting from the Pixel 6 series onward.



Arguably the most notable and user-facing change in Android 16 is the forced bundling of notifications. In practical terms, this means that if an app floods your device with alerts - say, for every single comment on your latest viral post - those notifications will no longer overwhelm your notification shade. Instead, they'll be grouped into a single expandable notification cluster.

Visually, Android 16 doesn't look all that different from Android 15. That's because the complete visual overhaul, dubbed Material 3 Expressive, is slated for release later this year as a follow-up update.

Pixel phone owners should already see the update available automatically via the software update menu. The one exception? Those running the Android 16 QPR1 beta builds. These users will need to roll back to Android 15 before upgrading to the stable Android 16 release. You can also find details on which other manufacturers' devices are slated to receive Android 16.

Android 16 also marks a notable shift in Google's release cycle. Traditionally, new Android versions have launched in the fall. This year, Google accelerated the schedule - so much so that many phone makers haven't even finished rolling out Android 15 to all of their devices.

Written by: Petteri Pyyny @ 10 Jun 2025 16:06
Tags
Android Android 16
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  • 5 comments
  • LinaHahn

    Exciting news! Android 16 looks like a solid update with its focus on AI-powered features and enhanced privacy controls. The new 'Adaptive Battery V3' and on-device Gemini Nano improvements could be game-changers for performance.

    I’m curious—how does the backward compatibility work for older devices? Will mid-range phones from 2-3 years ago get most of these features, or is this mainly for newer hardware?

    Great coverage as always—thanks for the breakdown!

    For more : cdrbsoftwares.com

    11.6.2025 21:14 #1

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  • EdwinGarrett

    Good! With its emphasis on AI-powered features and improved privacy options, Android 16 seems like a good update. In terms of performance, the new 'Adaptive Battery V3' and on-device Gemini Nano enhancements might be revolutionary.

    18.6.2025 00:06 #3

  • emily1221

    Wow, didn’t expect Android 16 to drop this early in the year! The bundled notifications sound like a real lifesaver — some apps seriously overdo it with alerts, so it’s nice to see Google finally stepping in.

    Not much has changed visually, but I guess they’re saving the big design revamp (Material 3 Expressive?) for later. Still, kind of weird launching a major version without any noticeable UI changes right away.

    Also, RIP to the older Pixels. I get why they’re cutting off support before the Pixel 6, but it’s always a little bittersweet when that happens.

    Now I’m wondering how long it'll take other brands to catch up. Some phones haven’t even seen Android 15 yet.

    Anyone here already updated? How’s it running so far?

    1.7.2025 02:02 #4

  • covetcarol

    Exciting news! Android 16 looks like a solid update with its focus on AI-powered features and enhanced privacy controls. The new Adaptive Battery V3 and on-device Gemini Nano improvements could be game-changers for performance.

    3.7.2025 03:03 #5

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