Google has reported that Android 16 will be ready earlier
and will most likely be released in the second quarter of 2025. This shift is
made in an attempt to improve app and device innovation and stability in the
target’s release dates. As a standard practice, Google would roll out new
Android versions around the end of the year, now the aim is to the balance the
Q2 timeline with the actual release schedule of devices for a faster update
deployment rate.
Just as clarification, Google has only last deviated from
its Q3 / Q4 pattern with the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean back in 2012. This may
allow Android 16 to be available on far more phones – not just Pixel – soon
after launch and so getting updates across the Android ecosystem would be more
efficient and effective. After its Q2 release, a minor update of Android 16 is
anticipated from Google in the last quarter of 2025.
This also marks a shift of releasing new Android versions
being aligned with Google’s new approach of releasing new Pixel devices in
August and hence this changes the pattern set this year.
