As Samsung continues to refine One UI 8—its latest Android 16-based skin still in beta testing—Google has shifted the industry spotlight by officially launching the stable Android 16 update.
Google rolling out Stable Android 16 Update for Pixels
After showcasing a brief glimpse on X, Google has finally released its next-generation operating system, Android 16, which is initially rolling out to eligible Pixel devices and will later be available for more Android phones from other partners, including Samsung Galaxy models, later this year.
While Google initially started by suggesting details that led to a more streamlined experience for the users, it primarily focused on its latest Material 3 Expressive design and more new and enhanced functionalities that drive users’ day-to-day experiences with more efficiency.
Accompanied by the Material 3 Expressive design, Google brought up live updates that function more or less similarly to Samsung’s Now Bar. With the stunning integration of food delivery apps alongside compatible rides, Pixel’s live updates let users know about the exact status of their preferred rides while also being informed about their food’s location in real time.
Meanwhile, Google has further confirmed that the company is already working towards making the food delivery apps compatible with the Android ecosystem via real-time (live) notifications, including Samsung’s Now Bar.
Beyond this, Android 16 also packs a useful native control capability for the people using hearing aids. Other than LE Audio technology that uses built-in mics for audio output, users will now be able to switch to using their phone’s mic to have a clearer and enhanced calling experience even in noisy environments.
Android 16 also packs something exciting for large-screen devices via Samsung DeX. Google and Samsung have worked together to offer an all-new working experience for larger-screen devices to enhance productivity on phones, foldables, and tablets. It brings split-screen mode, single-app mode, and the ability to move, open, and resize it. This capability will be available later this year.
Lastly, the new Advanced Protection feature protects the devices from online attacks, harmful apps, unsafe websites, scam calls, and more, while also prioritizing the user’s security.
Well, features like HDR screenshots, adaptive refresh rate, identity check, and more mentioned above will now be available for the Pixel devices, beginning June 10, while Material 3 Expressive design is scheduled to arrive later this year.
Most of these features will arrive on phones getting the One UI 8.0 update. They’ll come in some form, even if they aren’t exactly the same as before. If your phone already has these features, the update won’t change them.
