Google made a major change with Android 15 by removing platform updates from the Pixel 9 series, allowing software and hardware to develop on their own independent timelines. This decision allowed Google to refine both aspects without affecting each other. While the official stable Android 15 release is getting closer, iQOO 12 owners will be the first to experience Android 15. Read more here. Even before Android 15 makes its full debut, attention is turning to the future with Android 16. Expected to launch in 2025, Android 16 is likely to introduce new features, performance improvements, and user interface enhancements. Here’s a glimpse of what we know and what Google is working on for this next update.

Android 16: Expected and leaked features

Desktop Windowing: Starting with Android 15, this feature is expected to be seen in Android 16 as well. Desktop windowing lets users run multiple apps at once and resize app windows, just as it works on a traditional desktop. Google has fixed the taskbar at the bottom of the screen, where it now displays both running apps and apps pinned by the user. A new header bar has also been introduced, which contains window controls. Additionally, a hidden toggle called “Enable desktop mode on secondary display” has replaced the old “Force desktop mode” option, expanding the feature set beyond the official announcements.

Modified Settings: Android 15 beta 3 included clues for a redesigned Settings homepage, but the changes didn’t go live in subsequent betas. As Android Authority reports, the new Settings layout went live in Android 15 QPR 1 beta 2, indicating that it’s likely on track for an Android 16 release.

New Screen Recording Chips: Android 16 may bring enhancements to the screen recorder and screencaster indicator chips. These changes were first seen and activated in Android 15 beta 4.2 and became more accessible in QPR1 beta 2, raising expectations of their inclusion in Android 16.

The new chips will feature a timer directly in the status bar for screen recording and screencasting. They will also allow you to pause a recording or casting session without pulling down the status bar. Upon tapping on the chip, you will see a dialog to end the session. Additionally, a new icon will appear when a third-party app requests to record or cast your screen. The dialog now emphasizes “Share your screen” instead of just “Start recording or casting.”

Brief information: If you find the size of heads-up notifications intrusive when viewing full-screen content, Google is developing a solution. Hints of compact heads-up notifications were first seen in Android 15 beta 4, and the feature became more widely available with Android 15 QPR1 beta 2.

In these compact notifications, most text is minimized, and any embedded images are hidden by default until you tap the dropdown arrow to expand them. However, key elements like the notification icon, title and reply button remain visible for messaging apps like WhatsApp.

Android 16: Expected launch date

Google has not yet officially announced the release schedule of Android 16. However, based on past release patterns, it is likely to launch in Q4 2025. For comparison, the first developer preview of Android 15 arrived in February 2024, followed by Beta 1 in April, and the stable version is expected to launch in October 2024. The source code of 15 was made available in September 2024.

However, there are indications that Android 16 may launch soon. The AOSP code suggests that we could see an early release in the second quarter of 2025, potentially in April, May, or June. Although this may be Google’s plan, only time will confirm whether they can pull off this accelerated program or not.