While we patiently wait for Samsung to release the Android 15-based One UI 7 beta update, Google has released the first Android 16 Developer Preview (DP1). This DP1 is focused on giving developers an early look at the new features and APIs that will be available in the final release in Q2 of 2025.
Andoird 16 Developer Preview 1 is available for the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold, as well as the Android Emulator. The preview is not for daily or consumer use, and can only be installed manually. The public Android beta program will begin in January 2025.
When is Android 16 coming out?
Google plans to release two developer previews of Android 16 and four beta versions before the new major Android version is ready for public use. The stable Android 16 will be available sometime after April 2025 for Pixel devices unless some unforeseen issue causes delays.
- Android 16 Developer Preview: November
- Android 16 Developer Preview 2: December
- Android 16 Beta 1: January,2025
- Android 16 Beta 2: February,2025
- Android 16 Beta 3: March,2025
- Android 16 Beta 4: April,2025
Android 16 DP features
The Android 16 DP comes with new features and improvements for app developers. It brings an Embedded photo picker, Health records, and the latest version of Privacy Sandbox for privacy protection.
- System Photo Picker: it will allow users a smoother, more integrated way to pick photos on the app without needing extra permissions.
- Health Connect: This allows apps to access and manage medical records in FHIR format, but only with the user’s permission.
- Privacy Sandbox: Android 16 DP brings the latest version of Privacy Sandbox to protect people’s privacy online.
One UI 8 could be released in Q3 of 2025
Google is scheduled to release the final version of Android 15 in Q2 of 2025, One UI 8 could also be released earlier. Samsung usually launches the stable version of One UI three months after Google launches a stable version of Android. So, is it possible that Samsung could release One UI 8 in Q3 of 2025?
As far as eligibility is concerned, almost every smartphone or tablet Samsung launched with Android 14 will get Android 16. Some devices that launched with Android 13 or earlier are eligible for three or four generations of major Android updates, and they will also get it.
However, Galaxy users are still waiting for the One UI 7 beta update, now it seems that Samsung soon release the beta update for the Galaxy S24 series in the coming days.