Just as Apple was getting comfortable being the center of attention with its new iOS 26 announcements, Google decided to let Android 16 loose to steal some of its thunder. Now before you get excited about the Android 16 features and promised redesign, you should note that the complete design overhaul has not arrived just yet. Android 16 has been launched for compatible Pixel smartphones, bringing a basketful of little changes to keep its users happy, but the big Material 3 Expressive redesign is expected to arrive later.
Android Authority claims the full flood of Android 16 features has been reserved for release in September this year, so users who want to flaunt the new aesthetic in front of Apple enthusiasts will have to wait a little longer. You can still test some of the design features with the Android 16 QPR1 beta that is out right now, but it is rumored that even the beta mode doesn’t include the complete range of upgrades Google is planning on releasing. Let’s understand what’s currently available with Android 16’s release.
The updates with Android 16 center on the notifications system and revamped security. (Image: Google)
Exploring the New Android 16 Features That Google Just Announced
Google I/O 2025, the company’s annual developer conference held between May 20-21, gave us a pretty good look at what the company was working on this year. The entirety of the focus remained on the company’s AI ambitions and the way it was putting it to use across its various platforms, sparing very little time to discuss its Android advancements.
This wasn’t a major issue as the company had announced its Material 3 Expressive design language for its Android operating system in the weeks leading up to the event, so we knew what to expect from the OS’ eventual release. Now that Android 16 has begun rolling out, we have a better sense of the changes the tech giant has been working on, although a full release of the redesign is still pending.
For now, Pixel users get to enjoy some of the early features on their smartphones while other smartphone makers like Samsung and OnePlus work to release their own OS updates built on Android 16. This is the earliest Android has launched a major OS update in the last few years, and it effectively sets the stage for what’s to come.
Android 16 Brings an Updated Notification System
One of the major Android 16 features appears to be its new Live Notification system, which promises to provide better real-time updates for users waiting on deliveries and orders. Google has been working with ride-share and food-delivery apps to update how notifications are displayed when an app is running in the background with updates for you. This function is also expected to help Samsung’s Now Bar or the live alerts system on OnePlus or Oppo.
Live Notifications aside, with Android 16, Google is also “force-grouping” notifications from a single app to reduce the clutter in your notification bar. This should make it easier to see all your new emails or WhatsApp messages at a glance.
Advanced Protection With a Single Tap on Android 16
For now, the Android 16 launch is less about the design and aesthetics and more about usability and function. With this, Google also announced an Advanced Protection system to enable “an array of robust device security features that protect you from online attacks, harmful apps, unsafe websites, scam calls, and more.”
The new safety mode can be activated easily and will help prevent any accidental or malicious disablement of the security features that fall under the purview of this feature. The setting looks at user safety across the many in-built Google apps and will extend to third-party apps that choose to engage its services.
There are a few different ways this Android 16 feature offers to keep your device safe. There’s a logging feature that monitors activity with end-to-end encryption of the data, a theft detection lock for when suspicious activity is detected, a reboot of the device if it’s locked for 72 hours to help with location, better Google Play protection services, a Memory Tagging Extension to prevent apps from corrupting the memory, etc.
Safety First, Both Online and Offline
The Android Safe Browsing safeguard under the Advanced Protection mode offers to protect users from malicious activity online, automatically disabling Javascript optimizers to reduce any exposure to security threats.
With Android 16, users can also see better spam detection and protection in their message inbox, with warnings for any suspicious links that might be after your data. Google is also looking at improved caller ID systems to automatically flag any known spam numbers on your phone. There’s also an AI assistant in supported regions that can screen and decline spam calls. With Android 16, select devices will no longer connect to 2G networks. There are other safety features under this advanced protection umbrella as well, all of which collectively work to keep you and your smartphone safe.
(Image: Google)
Accessibility Improvements for Those with Hearing Devices Are Also Available
Traditionally, during calls, LE audio hearing devices use their built-in front-facing microphones that are designed to pick up sounds in front of the wearer or the person they are speaking to. This can lead to poor audio quality input for the wearer’s own voice, especially when it’s noisy. Android 16 allows users to switch to using their phone’s microphone for audio input during calls.
This is aimed at improving the clarity of calls, picking up the user’s voice more effectively even with external sounds. The OS update also offers native control for hearing devices directly within the operating system to provide them with a more convenient way to make adjustments to suit their preferences.
Android-Based Tablets Are Also Due for an Update
Android 16’s release is not just a win for smartphones but for tablets that utilize the OS as well. Building on Samsung’s DeX system, Google is making it easier to split your screens or move and resize multiple apps on a tablet the way you would on a desktop. For those who use their tablets for more than just streaming Netflix, this will be a welcome change.
Later in the year, Google’s Android 16 will also bring keyboard shortcuts so you can create your own combination of hotkeys to bring up your desired apps. There are also promises of enhanced connectivity for tablets and phones and external displays.
The Android 16 Features Were Accompanied by the June Pixel Drop
The new Android 16 capabilities are interesting but that’s not all Google has to offer. Google also announced its June 2025 Pixel Feature Drop, with some interesting new capabilities for Pixel phones. The Pixel widget features include the Pixel VIP array, allowing users to set some of their loved ones as VIPs who don’t get held up by DND settings.
This new Pixel widget looks similar to the widget for favorite contacts, providing a quick shortcut to access the contacts and reach out to them.
The Pixel exclusive features also include an enhancement for the Google keyboard with better Pixel Studio integration to generate stickers easily, and the Pixel Camera app received some enhancements as well, allowing users to gain a better understanding of its capabilities. There are a few other interesting settings and changes with the June Pixel Drop that make it all the more enjoyable to be a Pixel user.
Android 16’s Release is Limited But Comprehensive All the Same
From what we’ve seen of the new Android 16 features, the changes are not flashy but make a useful difference to the user experience. All ours are on the Material Expressive 3 redesign and most users won’t be satisfied until they see it fully rolled out. Google’s security precautions and capabilities make the current Android 16 release relatively worth it, but we’re also excited to see what comes next.
We’re hopeful that Android’s new design language will be better formulated than the changes promised by Apple’s iOS design, which has received a very critical reception despite its limited beta launch so far.
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