Over the years, Google released the latest version of Android in the third quarter of this year, usually starting in summer or fall. On the contrary, Android 16 was launched very early, so It’s already in the wild. This means that people with modern smartphones can expect it early.
Normally, you should always accept official updates. Not only are you getting the latest features, but you also get security updates that keep your phone safe. So if you decide not to update for other reasons, that’s all. While Google I/O 2025, Android I/O shows, as well as the developers’ beta versions, give us a good idea of the future of Android, but I have been officially testing new updates here.
So if you want to be excited about new features, I have some cool new content to share. If you are waiting to press the update button, here are some features Google wraps into Android 16 that may help convince you to complete it.
Material 3 Expression
Credit: Google
Let’s start with what you’re most likely to see first, and that’s new to Android 16 Material 3 Expression UI renew. This introduces a large number of adaptive UI elements from buttons that shake when interacting with them to buttons that are more colorful and dynamic than their more static predecessors.
You can Google’s videosbut it’s all thoughtfully done. It won’t change the functionality of anything, but by giving everything all the fresh paint and a more responsible nature, it will certainly make Android 16 different from Android 15, which will become more obvious, once again supporting the new UI.
Adaptive apps make folding cooler
Credit: Google
Speaking of apps, Google puts some seasonings in Android 16 to make them work better. Since developers need time to put it together, the idea is neat, it’s not easy to be obvious. Google Call it an adaptive applicationthe idea is to let app developers for various screen sizes rather than just one. Now we are in the age of foldables, and it’s more obvious for developers to make mobile-only UIs for their apps, and adaptive applications can solve that problem.
The idea is very simple. Apps look normal on a typical smartphone display, but if you use them on a tablet or foldable situation, it will automatically spread over the screen width. This solves one of the biggest pain points, where only mobile apps still only work in one way. Like the expressiveness of Material 3, it will take some time for the application developers to achieve this, but once they do, it will look great.
Mixable light speed
Update notifications in real time (and stack notifications)
Credit: Google
One of my favorite things about Android updates is the improvements to notifications. For Android 16, there are two. First is what Google calls real-time update notifications, or “consistent progress notifications” if you look at the API. These notifications provide you with real-time notifications to provide constant updates. This is for the case of ordering doordash, and notifications will show you the driver’s progress without opening the app. There may also be other use cases that developers can use freely.
Another improvement is automatic group notifications. These take notifications from the same app and then stack them in one notification, so you don’t have to remove two, three or even more notifications from the same app. When the same app sends one of these notifications, simplifying notification shadows by reducing the total number of notifications, I personally can’t wait to see it.
Desktop window
Credit: Google
With Android 16, Google introduced the experience to desktops. These may be most commonly used on computers or tablets (such as computers or tablets), but it brings Android closer to another operating system using Windows. You know one. Anyway, this will surely use Samsung’s DEX mode. It’s not available yet, but will be later this year, but people will be able to try it out with the QPR1 Beta 2 build earlier this year.
Additionally, the larger monitors get more love from Google. External display support Have improved As a function of Android 16, it actually now has a real desktop mode. This will make it much better to use your device on peripherals like keyboards and mouses on larger screens and give you another way to use the device in a different way.
If you want, please provide more security
Credit: Google
Security has always been the main focus of Android updates, and so is Android 16. Google has added some new tools to help you stay safe and private. A type of identity checking that forces biometric technology when accessing specific settings and features outside of a trusted location. For example, if your phone is stolen and taken away elsewhere, they will not be able to access your password to autofill without fingerprints.
Another biggest addition is advanced protection, which basically works like Windows Defender. This is a built-in security suite that identifies harmful applications, protects online attacks, and even blocks spam calls. Finally, there is also a security check feature in the personal security app, and you can sign in with your loved ones if you are physically injured or go somewhere alone.
Better accessibility, especially hearing aids
Credit: Google
Accessibility has also been greatly improved, which is exciting for those with barriers. Functionally, we think most people will use support for hearing devices in the call application. This adds support for more brands of hearing equipment and makes it easier for you to use LE audio devices during the call.
In addition, you can use your Android 16 phone as a microphone input for the LEA hearing aid and adjust the ambient volume of the LE audio listening device, which allows you to manage your listening device more effectively. Android 16 also includes native support for Auracast broadcast audio, which allows Bluetooth LE audio devices to connect to multiple sources, which may also be a boon for hearing impairment.
Credit: Google
These are just some of the highlights of Android 16. We didn’t even mention application drawer blur, APV codec support, and various improvements to pixel devices, e.g. Hybrid automatic exposure function. This isn’t the biggest Android update we’ve ever seen, but once you click on that update button, it has a lot of neat stuff to check out.
