(Update at 8:13 p.m. : “Android 16 is there,” says Google in an official announcement. We updated our article following this formalization.)
Android 16 begins its deployment in stable version Today, Tuesday June 10for all compatible pixel phones. A promise held by the tech giant, which had announced an earlier exit than in previous years. After an announcement via the X account (formerly Twitter) of Android developers, the American firm confirms the arrival of this new major version. So what’s new in this new version?
A more fluid and intuitive experience
The great novelty that flows a lot of ink is ” Live Updates ». Consider it as Google’s response to Apple’s “Live Activities” (“live activities”). This feature aims to avoid the constant unlocking of the smartphone to find out where your delivery man is or follow the scoring of a match. The information will be dynamically displayed directly on your locking screen. Google specifies working with partners such as Samsung (for his Now Bar) et Oppo/OnePlus (for their live alerts) in order to deploy this capacity.
A major advance for accessibility
Google puts a particular emphasis on accessibility with two significant improvements for hearing aid users:
- It will now be possible to use the phone’s microphone during a call rather than that, often less efficient, of the hearing aid. The goal is to offer a clearer voice, especially in noisy environments.
- Native checks for hearing aids are integrated into Android, making it possible to manage volume and other parameters directly from the phone for a simpler and coherent experience.
Security, a reinforced priority
Google also puts a serious collar on security. Android 16 inaugurates a ” Advanced protection mode (Advanced Protection), which centralizes and simplifies all safety options. Google specifies that it is aimed at users with increased safety needs, such as public figures, for enhanced protection against the most sophisticated attacks.
Other additions, such as an intrusions detection journal or an automatic restart in the event of prolonged inactivity, are planned but will not arrive until later in the year.
Increased productivity on tablets and large screens
The tablets are not outdone, far from it. In close partnership with Samsung, Google introduces a Office -type feverish mode (Desktop Windowing). In addition to the full screen or shared screen modes, you can open, move and resize several application windows, such as on a computer.
Other additions will arrive later in the year to transform tablets into real productivity tools, including Customizable keyboard shortcut and a Management of surplus in the taskbar (Taskbar Overflow) to easily find its applications.
Design and other improvements
Regarding design, Android 16 Lays the foundations of the new Material 3 Expressive interfacewhich will bring a more colorful and alive style. Other updates to this design will arrive later. The official announcement list also other new features like the HDR screenshotsand adaptive refreshment rate or a function of Identity verification.
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To reduce visual overload, Android 16 will also automatically group notifications from a single application, in order to keep a clearer and organized control panel.
What are the compatible smartphones and tablets?
At first, the update must arrive on Pixel smartphones and a Google tablet. Here is the full list:
- Google Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a
- Google Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet
- Google Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a
- Google Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9a
Many other smartphones, launched by third -party manufacturers, will also be entitled to Android 16 in the coming weeks and months. On the front line, we expect a deployment on the models that participated in the beta program: Honor Magic 7 Pro, Xiaomi 15 and Xiaomi 14T Pro, Vivo Iqoo 13 and X200 Pro, OnePlus 13, Oppo Find X8 Pro, Realme GT 7 Pro, Lenovo Yoga Tab Plus (tablet). Samsung, which has lagged behind in the deployment of One UI 7 (Android 15), could also catch up by offering One Ui 8 (Android 16) more quickly.
Please note, users of the beta program!
If you are a seasoned user and your pixel is currently running on the “QPR1” beta from Android 16, you will not receive the stable update automatically. To get it, you will have to leave the beta program. Be warned: This operation will result in the complete erasure of your data. A factory reset is compulsory. For the others, whether on a stable version of Android 15 or on the “classic” beta channel of Android 16, the update will be smooth, by the tunes (OTA).
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