11 February 2025

Android 16 Timeline Leaked: Launch Set for January 22, 2025

While many users are still waiting for Android 15, information about the release schedule for Android 16 has already surfaced. This time, things are moving at a much faster pace, as Google is set to begin the rollout as early as January 22, 2025. The accelerated timeline poses significant challenges for major smartphone manufacturers like Samsung.

Public Beta of Android 16 to Begin on January 22?

The next major Android update is starting to take shape. A Google employee inadvertently leaked the exact schedule for Android 16 beta versions. According to the ambitious timeline, public testing is set to start in January, much earlier than previous Android releases. This fast-track schedule was reported by sources such as AndroidAuthority.

Google appears to be pushing the pace for Android 16 development. Following two developer preview releases in November and December 2024, the public beta phase is just around the corner. A Google employee revealed three key release dates in a comment on the Android Gerrit platform:

  1. Beta 1: January 22, 2025
  2. Beta 2: February 19, 2025
  3. Beta 3: March 12, 2025

With Beta 3, Android 16 will achieve the crucial milestone of “Platform Stability,” indicating that all APIs and app interfaces will be finalized. This marks a significant step for app developers as they prepare their applications for the new platform.

Final Version of Android 16 Expected by May

Based on the current schedule, Google plans to release additional beta versions in April and May, with the final version expected to launch in the second quarter of 2025. Initially, it will be available for Google’s Pixel devices, followed by rollouts for smartphones from other manufacturers.

This timeline creates particular pressure for Samsung. The South Korean company has faced significant delays with Android 15, only releasing it alongside the launch of the Galaxy S25 series. Just a few months later, Android 16 is set to debut, requiring another major upgrade. If Samsung delays again until the Galaxy S26, it risks falling further behind its competitors.

What About Android 15?

As Android 16 gears up for release, some smartphone manufacturers have yet to roll out Android 15. This highlights the fragmented adoption of Android updates, a persistent challenge for the ecosystem.

Stay tuned for updates on Android 16, and don’t forget to follow us for more tech, gaming, and entertainment news.