Google has reshaped its Android release timeline, rolling out the first developer preview of Android 16 months earlier than usual.
Traditionally launched around February or March, the developer preview is now live, signaling a significant shift in Android’s development cycle.
The tech giant reaffirmed that Android 16’s stable release is slated for the second quarter of 2024 (April to June). Later in the year, a minor Android update—likely dubbed Android 16.1 or 16.5—will debut in the fourth quarter. This smaller update will focus on feature enhancements, optimizations, and bug fixes without altering app behavior.
Aligning with Device Launch Schedules
Google’s revamped schedule aims to streamline Android’s adoption across devices. The company emphasized that this approach allows manufacturers to align new device launches with Android’s major releases, ensuring faster updates across the ecosystem.
New Features in the Developer Preview
The initial developer preview introduces several updates, including APIs to enhance the photo picker experience, making it feel more integrated within apps. New APIs also support health records, enabling apps to handle medical data in FHIR format with explicit user consent. Additionally, a refreshed Privacy Sandbox version is included to bolster user data privacy.
Google Android 16’s Release Timeline
Here’s a snapshot of the updated release schedule:
December 2023: First developer preview available now.
January 2024: Second developer preview.
February 2024: First beta release.
March 2024: Second beta, achieving platform stability with finalized APIs.
April 2024: Final beta, paving the way for the official release in Q2 2024.
Developer previews cater exclusively to app developers, but public access begins with the beta versions. Pixel users can enroll in the Android Beta program starting January 2024.
This strategic shift marks Google’s commitment to improving Android’s ecosystem efficiency and ensuring timely software updates for a broader range of devices.
