Android 16 Beta Debuts on Pixel Phones—Here’s What’s New
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Android 16 is making an early debut. After the developer preview phase, Google has shifted gears and rolled out the first Android 16 Beta, now available for Pixel devices. Ready to dive into the new features, tweaks, and under-the-hood changes packed in this first beta? Let’s break it down.
When Will Android 16 Be Released?
Google kicked off the Android 16 journey with the first Developer Preview in November, followed by a second release in December. Staying true to its roadmap, the first Beta update has now landed for eligible Pixel devices via OTA.
With Android 16 entering the beta phase, we’re looking at two more beta releases before reaching the stability-focused phase, with the final build expected in May or June 2025. Google’s roadmap also teases a minor update—likely Android 16.1—slated for the final quarter of 2025.
This rollout is significant enough that Google has even crafted a detailed video breaking down the changes. If you’re ready to dive deeper into what’s new, don’t miss it:
What is Android 16's Dessert Codename?
Like previous versions of the operating system, Android 16 has an internal codename based on a dessert name. After Tiramisu, Upside Down Cake, and Vanilla Ice Cream, Google didn't bother looking for desserts with the letters W, X, Y, or Z, and went straight to B for baklava, which is a popular pastry in Greece and Turkey. Yummy!
While the developer preview lists the system version as "Baklava", expect to see Google using only "Android 16" and "Android 16.1" as the OS branding as we get near the stable release, though.
What's New in Android 16
The first Android 16 beta brings fresh Live Updates functionality and notable system-level enhancements. This release marks the shift from the Developer Preview to wider testing. It’s now available for Google Pixel devices enrolled in the beta program, covering models from the Pixel 6 series to the Pixel 9 series, including the Pixel Tablet. Let’s dive into the standout features users can explore.
Live Updates: Dynamic, Real-Time Notifications
Android 16 introduces Live Updates, a feature reminiscent of Apple’s Dynamic Island. It brings animated, real-time updates for apps like navigation, delivery, and ride-sharing.
These updates appear as standard notification cards with an animated strip displaying key details such as start and end points, ETAs, or progress milestones. When minimized, they revert to standard notification icons on the status bar, keeping your updates seamless yet unobtrusive.
APV Codec: A Leap in Video Quality
Another standout in Android 16 Beta is the addition of the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec. Designed for near-lossless video quality, APV supports high bitrates and resolutions up to 8K with HDR10/10+ and user-defined metadata. It’s not just about playback—APV enhances video editing workflows by enabling parallel encoding and decoding, making it a game-changer for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
Improved Adaptive Refresh Rate
With Android 16 Developer Preview 2, Google has enhanced true variable refresh rate support. At the developer level, this improvement allows more apps to utilize the Adaptive Refresh Rate (ARR) feature that debuted in late Android 15. For users, this translates to better battery management when variable refresh rates are enabled.
Enhanced Haptics
Android 16 DP2 introduces new haptic feedback APIs, enabling developers to define vibration amplitude and frequency more precisely. These finer controls allow for creating custom and dynamic vibration patterns. Moreover, the update aims to make haptic feedback more consistent across apps and system interactions.
Two-finger double-tap zoom
In the Accessibility settings, the magnification (zoom) feature lists a variety of shortcut options (always visible button, gestures, volume buttons, etc). New to Android 16 is the option to magnify the display with a double tap with two fingers on the screen.
Improved support for physical keyboards
Uncovered by Android expert Mishaal Rahman, Android 16 brought a couple of changes to improve support for physical keyboards. The first is a reorganization of the Settings menu for its accessibility features, and inside it users will find the new Repeat Keys settings. The option sets a delay before a pressed key is registered again and also its repeat rate. Both will be especially welcomed by the tablet warriors out there.
Fingerprint unlock with screen-off
Exclusive to the Pixel 9 series, this change allows users to unlock the phone with a registered fingerprint without having to wake the screen. The caveat is that the change is only available (at least for now) for the Pixel 9 series phones, probably due to the use of an ultrasonic sensor instead of the older optical fingerprint reader in the Pixel 6 through 8 models.
7 new emojis
Android 16 includes support for the new emoji ratified with the Unicode 16.0 release, officially announced in September 2024. The official list of emoji reached 3,790 with this release and has 164 candidates for the 17th version, expected in September 2025.
Google Keep is now a system app
The note-taking app Google Keep used to be a stand-alone app that needed to be installed through the Play Store like any other app. Starting with Android 16, Google seems to be enforcing the app to be installed by default, with no option to uninstall Keep unless brute forcing it through root access.
Wi-Fi QR code redesign
Not the most groundbreaking change to the system, the QR-code screen for sharing Wi-Fi credentials got a redesign. Google ditched the plain QR-code for a stylized one, adopting the Material You color palette on your phone.
Reorganized Settings
The Settings app is a traditional weak point in terms of usability—also on iOS and Windows—with expanding needs and features popping up from time to time, it is no surprise regular users get confused and lost in it. Google recently started reordering and moving things around in the Settings app.
The change gives more space to the search bar, at the same time it highlights the main Google account on the phone. The change was actually rolled out to Pixel phones with Android 15, but will probably reach other AOSP-based distributions (Asus, Motorola, Sony, etc.) only on Android 16.
Automatic App Resizing for Large-Screen Devices
Android 16 Beta enhances the experience for foldables and tablets with automatic app window resizing. Apps now dynamically adapt to fit the screen size, eliminating annoying letterboxing and delivering a smoother, more immersive interface for large-screen devices.
Photo Picker
While this release primarily targets developers, several noteworthy features and improvements were introduced. Among the highlights is the updated photo picker feature, which benefits from new APIs aimed at improving app integration for uploading photos and videos. This update enhances user privacy by removing excessive permissions while streamlining the app interface.
Health Connect and FHIR Support
Another major addition is support for the FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) format within the Health Connect app. This integration could allow users to manage medical records alongside health metrics in the future. A similar feature, known as Health Records, exists in Samsung Health but is currently limited to select healthcare providers.
Notification Cooldown
Other changes include the introduction of a Notifications Cooldown feature, designed to reduce distractions by minimizing alerts and lowering notification volume when multiple notifications are received in quick succession.
Audio Sharing
The Audio Sharing feature, initially spotted in Android 15, was further refined. This functionality relies on Bluetooth LE connectivity to enable audio sharing from a single source device to multiple headphones, essentially allowing users to broadcast audio.
Privacy and Security Enhancements
Android 16 also introduces several privacy and security enhancements. The latest version of Privacy Sandbox improves data encryption and handling of sensitive information. In addition, a new Security and Permissions History option enables users to review app permissions and security activity over the past seven days on the Privacy Dashboard, providing greater transparency and control.
Predictive Back for Navigation Buttons
Android 16 Beta extends the predictive back gesture functionality to the 3-button navigation system. Previously exclusive to gesture navigation, this update brings the same intuitive back-navigation preview to users who prefer traditional button-based controls, enhancing usability across navigation styles.
Redesigned UI
Additionally, a change in volume control sliders has been spotted in the Android 16 Developer Preview. The updated design features a thinner slider with a more defined scrubber, moving away from the previous large elliptical style. However, it still depends on OEMs if they will adopt this tweak.
Which Devices Support the Android 16 Beta Update?
- Supported on Pixel devices from the Pixel 6 series to the Pixel 9 series.
- Includes compatibility for the Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold.
Upgrade Ready: Ensure your device is enrolled in the beta program for OTA installation.
What do you think about Google releasing Android 16 early? Could this hint at changes to Pixel hardware launch timing? Share your thoughts below!
Information about the first beta version was added in January 2025.
