Google's New Update Schedule: Android 16 Coming in the First Half of 2025

Google has revealed plans for the early release of Android 16, slated for the first half of 2025. This launch is scheduled earlier than the most recent update to Pixel devices, which occurred last October. Android 16 will be introduced with a subsequent minor update by the end of the year, reflecting Google's new approach to more frequent updates for the Android software development kit, focusing on feature enhancements and app performance optimization.

The Android Developers Blog indicates a major release for Android 16 in the second quarter of 2025, deviating from the traditional third-quarter releases. This will be followed by a minor update later in the year, aligning the software release with the schedules of compatible devices for faster distribution.

This major update is expected to bring significant changes that will impact app functionality, along with new APIs and features. Google typically coordinates major SDK updates with new Android versions, as will be the case with Android 16.

Following the release, additional updates are planned for the third quarter of 2025. There will also be another minor SDK update in the fourth quarter, introducing new features without altering the existing app functionalities.

Android developers and enthusiasts can look forward to early trials of Android 16, as Google plans to release the first developer preview soon, with about five months until the launch.

The introduction of the Pixel 9 series earlier in the year brought Android 14, followed by the transition to Android 15 in October. With the accelerated schedule for Android 16, the upcoming Pixel 10 series is expected to launch with the latest version of Google's mobile OS in 2025.