Android 16: Devices That Are Compatible, Release Schedule, and Essential Features Clarified

Android 16: Devices That Are Compatible, Release Schedule, and Essential Features Clarified

Android 16: Devices That Are Compatible, Release Schedule, and Essential Features Clarified


# Android 16: Anticipations for 2025

With **Android 15** officially launched, the focus has already shifted to the forthcoming version of Google’s mobile operating system: **Android 16**. While Android 15 brought forth a variety of new functionalities, not all made it to the final release, paving the way for some thrilling prospects for Android 16. As we look toward 2025, here’s what we’ve gathered thus far about Android 16, including eligible devices, internal codenames, novel features, and the anticipated release schedule.

## Which Devices Will Receive Android 16?

Android 16 is set to be offered on a broader spectrum of devices than any prior version of Android. With manufacturers enhancing their software support, even budget and mid-range options will receive lengthy update benefits.

### Eligible Devices:
– **Google Pixel Devices**: All Pixel smartphones beginning with the **Pixel 7** series will qualify for Android 16. Unfortunately, older models such as the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro will not get this update but will still receive feature improvements and security updates.
– **Other Brands**: Numerous Android device makers, including Samsung, OnePlus, and Xiaomi, now provide at least three years of Android OS updates, meaning that most devices launched in the last two years will qualify for Android 16. This marks a noteworthy enhancement for budget phones, which have historically been omitted from extended update cycles.

## What is the Internal Codename for Android 16?

Google has a longstanding habit of utilizing dessert-inspired codenames for its Android versions, despite ceasing public use after Android 10. For Android 15, the internal codename was **Vanilla Ice Cream**, and for Android 16, Google has opted for the name **Baklava**.

Interestingly, Google has redefined its naming strategy, restarting with dessert names from the letter “A” for internal codenames. While many anticipated Android 16 to be designated with a dessert beginning with “W” (like Waffle), the selection of Baklava signifies a shift in Google’s internal naming methodology.

## New Features Anticipated in Android 16

Although Android 16 is still several months away from its initial developer preview, numerous features have already been hinted at or were first trialed in Android 15 betas but did not make the final version. Here’s a glimpse at some of the most thrilling features expected in Android 16:

### 1. **Notification Cooldown:**
This enhancement aims to decrease the distraction from an overload of notifications. If you are engaged in a group chat or inundated with multiple alerts from the same application, Android 16 will automatically mute the volume of subsequent alerts. Users will have the option to activate this for specific chats or all applications, making it a useful tool for those wishing to reduce interruptions.

### 2. **Desktop Mode:**
Though **Samsung DeX** has long provided a desktop-like experience on Samsung gadgets, most Android phones lack a similar capability. Android 16 may remedy that. In late Android 15 beta versions, a desktop mode featuring app windows was observed, although it did not make the stable release. If Google persists in developing this feature, Android 16 could incorporate a native desktop mode for all Android devices, allowing users to connect their phones to external monitors and utilize apps in a desktop-like setting.

### 3. **Limit Charging to 80%:**
Battery health is a priority for numerous users, and Android 16 might introduce a feature that restricts charging to 80% to extend battery lifespan. This function was initially trialed in the Android 15 beta but hasn’t been included in the stable release yet. Several manufacturers, including Samsung and Sony, already provide this feature in their customized Android interfaces, but Android 16 could establish it as a native function across all devices.

### 4. **Audio Sharing:**
Another capability that surfaced in early Android 15 betas but was excluded from the final version is **audio sharing**. This feature would enable users to stream music to multiple Bluetooth devices at once, facilitating easier audio sharing with friends or using various speakers. Although it was somewhat unstable in its initial form, it is likely that Google will fine-tune this capability for Android 16.

## Release Date for Android 16

Google’s Android release cycle has remained stable for many years, and Android 16 is anticipated to adhere to the same timeline. Here’s a general outline of what to expect:

– **Developer Preview**: The first developer preview of Android 16 is projected to launch in **February 2025**. These preliminary builds are generally prone to bugs and lack many final features, but they lay the groundwork for developers to begin testing their applications.
– **Public Beta**: The public beta is expected to be introduced in **May 2025**, aligning with Google’s annual I/O developer conference. Public betas tend to be more stable and encompass many of the new features that will be