Google has officially rolled out Android 16, the earliest major Android launch in quite some time. The new OS update is rolling out to all supported Pixel devices at this time, while other brands of smartphones are likely to receive the updates later this year. The early release in the summer allows some of the latest features to be available for all types of users.
Android 16 is a big improvement to the user interface and experience, including better notifications, improved accessibility, enhanced security, and additional productivity offerings. Let’s detail all the new features available with this core update.
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What’s New in Android 16 Notifications
Live Updates in Notifications
One of Android 16โs most exciting new features is live updates within notifications. That is, you won’t have to constantly open and close apps to see how your food order or ride-share is going.
When you allow live updates, you will see notifications with real progress bars right in the notification drawer. For instance, if you ordered food, you could access the drawer and see exactly where your food delivery was, without checking on the app over, and over, and over again! This is initially launching with certain ride-share and food delivery apps that have the capability. Google is working with different app partners to implement the live updates for other app partners, and at some future point, with Modal APIs too.
High profile Android OEMs such as Samsung, OPPO, and OnePlus are also bringing this into their respective custom Android skins. Samsung’s Now Bar, and OPPO and OnePlus’s Live Alerts, for example, will bring support for the live updates of notifications.
Automatic Notification Grouping
Android 16 also brings another feature where notifications from the same app will be automatically grouped together.
This is designed for improving the experience of the notification panel by reducing the clutter and keeping everything organized. You will no longer see several notifications from the same app, as each notification will automatically be grouped together. This makes it easier to manage your notifications and reduce excess disruption.
Better Accessibility Features
Enhanced Hearing Device Support
Android 16 has introduced a significant upgrade for individuals with hearing devices. The update includes native controls for LE audio hearing devices, which makes it easier to access and manage them right from your Android phone.
Previously, hearing devices utilized their built-in front-facing microphones for audio input when you were on a call. These microphones pick up the voice of the individual you are talking with, not your voice, so you might not clearly understand your own voice. In Android 16 you are able to switch to your phone’s microphone. This would especially be a benefit for you if you are in a noisy environment or expect to be calling in an environment with a lot of background noise.
Users will now be able to change settings for their hearing devices, such as volume, directly from their Android phone. This is an excellent opportunity for a more consistent and user-friendly experience with hearing device management.
Stronger Security in One Tap
Improved Advanced Protection Feature
Security has been a priority of Android 16. It introduces a new feature, Advanced Protection, which Google calls the most secure mobile device protection. The big advantage of Advanced Protection is a heavy-duty security feature that can be turned on with a single tap.
Advanced Protection is a combination of multiple security protections that protect users from:
- Online Attackers
- Malicious Apps
- Unsafe Websites
- Scam Phone Calls
- Advanced Cyber Attackers
This feature is highly beneficial to public figures, journalists, activists, or anyone else seeking maximum protection for their mobile device, and the Advanced Protection system offers peace of mind for users amid the most advanced security threats.
Enhanced Productivity for Large Screens
Desktop Windowing
Android 16 offers a new way to interact with applications on devices with larger screens, including tablets and foldables, called desktop windowing. This feature is developed by Samsung, as an extension of their DeX experience.
Through desktop windowing, users can:
- Open several windows of apps on one screen.
- Move and resize windows like a computer.
- Use several apps at the same time.
Switch between not just one app, but a split-screen view or multi-window view while still keeping it all looking and feeling like a desktop experience.
Usability of this function will be released sometime later this year, for devices capable of supporting it, to maximize tablets and foldables to be a more productive outlet for work and multitasking.
Custom Keyboard Shortcuts and Taskbar Improvements
Later this year, Android 16 will also gain these features:
- Custom keyboard shortcuts that let users create their own hot key combinations
- Taskbar overflow, which will make it easier to find apps when your taskbar is full
- Support for an external display, for all your tablets and phones connected to a larger display.
Camera and Media Improvements
Enhanced Photography Features
Android 16 provides several upgrades for photography enthusiasts:
- Automatic night mode scene detection to improve low-light photos
- Hybrid auto-exposure for better balanced photos
- More accurate adjustments to color temperature
- Improved UltraHDR images with HEIC encoding support
- Working with Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec for high-end video recording
HDR Screenshots
The update also includes the ability to take HDR screenshots that allow you to take screenshots from HDR content that retain the whole dynamic range of colors.
Additional Features and Improvements
Performance and Display Enhancements
Android 16 includes several under-the-hood improvements:
- Adaptive refresh rate for better battery life and smoother graphics.
- New slider haptics, giving better tactile feedback (it feels like you’re pressing a button).
- A predictive back indicator that gives you a look at where you’ll go when using the back gesture.
- An identity check setting to provide extra security when outside of trusted locations.
- A trade-in mode for easier and more secure device trade-ins to make things simpler for customers.
Ecosystem Improvements
In addition to core Android features, Google has also made improvements to the Android ecosystem:
- Improved RCS group chats with custom icons and the ability to mute threads!
- An AI-enhanced image editor in the Photos app that will suggest edits to your images.
- New Emoji Kitchen sticker combos.
- Wear OS devices can now use their watch to pay for transit fares without having to open the app.
Material 3 Expressive Design
Android 16 introduces Googleโs new Material 3 Expressive design language. The company announced a complete design overhaul that would come later this year. However, the current update puts the groundwork in place for an accessible and easily usable interface.
Availability and Rollout
Android 16 is currently being released and made available to all supported Pixel devices and will later roll out to other Android devices over a calendar year. This is an indication of Google’s efforts to deploy major Android updates earlier than in past years, so Android users can benefit from new features and security fixes as soon as possible.
The desktop windowing feature and other productivity enhancements will become available later in 2025, with the beta version of Android 16 in place for developers and some early adopters.
Read More: Apple Officially Announces iOS 26
Bottom Line
Android 16 is a big advancement for the Android operating system with updates that are beneficial for average everyday users or more power users. With the ability to receive live updated notifications once a notification is posted to the status bar to the increased productivity that comes from desktop mode and desktop windowing, Android 16 has solved many user pain points, and introduces new features that are innovative.
Googleโs commitment to bringing accessibility improvements with enhanced hearing device support and increasing all-around security functionality to Android. As the features rollout throughout the year, more users will find themselves experiencing the positive effects of these changes.
