You won’t have to wait long for Android 16, as Google tells you approximately when to expect the operating system.
Android 15 hasn’t even been out for that long, but now Android 16 is already around the corner. Google is releasing a new operating system in less than a year, which is remarkable.
It has already launched several beta versions of Android 16 and now it is also announcing when you can expect the final version. It should be released sometime in June this year.
Google makes a notable change to Android 16
Normally, a new version of Android comes out in the third or fourth quarter of the year. This time, Google is doing things differently. It is coming out with a new Android version as early as June.
That’s because the company is taking a slightly different approach. Instead of a big update like you’re used to, Google is now choosing to release Android 16 in two parts. The second part should come out in August. The company is probably doing that in preparation for the release of the Google Pixel 10. If we follow the company’s pattern, it will come out sometime in August. In addition, this approach should ease the workload so that the software is ready first and then unique features can be added.
If you have a Google Pixel, you can install Android 16 on your smartphone immediately after the update. At least, the first part. So for part two, you have to wait.
Longer wait
However, if you have a smartphone from another brand, then you will probably have to wait longer for Android 16. These manufacturers create their own shell around Android with features they consider important or value-added. Think of specific apps or AI features, for example. With an older model, that version may take even longer, as companies are often the first to update their latest models.
A good example is Samsung. It has not yet even released One UI 7.0, which is based on Android 15.
Exactly what Android 16 will look like, we will know on May 20 and 21. That’s when Google I/O takes place, the company’s annual developer conference. Presumably, we’ll also hear an exact release date then.
