The next major build of Android has reached several new milestones ahead of its public release. Google has just started rolling out the fourth beta update for Android 16, reaching the second platform stability.
Developers who have optimized their apps for Android 16 can now release updates through the Google Play Store. The latest beta update is also almost final as all app behavior and background functions have been finalized.
Why is it important?
So far, public beta testing of Android 16 has been limited to Google’s own Pixel smartphones. Google says that with the release of Android 16 beta 4, more device brands are joining its testing ranks.
Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, Sharp, Vivo and Xiaomi are the brands that are currently preparing their respective beta updates based on the latest build of Android 16. For example, Oppo in China announced that the ColorOS 15 beta build based on Android 16 is now ready for the Oppo Find X8 in three markets.
Xiaomi is already part of the developer beta testing program, and it is only a matter of time before a public beta version is released for the Xiaomi 15 and 14T Pro smartphones. Likewise, developer-centric testing is underway for the Vivo X200 and iQoo 13 smartphones, with the OnePlus 13 also included in the testing pool.
What’s new in Android 16?
Android 16 doesn’t bring a UI overhaul, but it brings a lot of changes to the onboard features. To start, real-time notifications with progress bars and real-time updates are now baked in at a system-wide level. Audio Sharing allows users to transmit their phone’s audio stream to two or more pairs of Bluetooth-enabled earbuds and headphones.
The update also introduces Adaptive Refresh Rate technology, which allows the display to automatically increase or decrease the refresh rate to save battery drain. Google is also giving developers more control over the haptic feedback in their apps.
On the camera front, Android 16 adopts a hybrid exposure system that makes exposure, ISO, and lighting adjustments much easier in the camera app. The next-generation OS is also expanding similar controls for adjusting the hue and color temperature of video capture.
Thanks to updates within the Health Connect platform, users will be able to share medical and health records across multiple apps in FHIR format. Google has also made significant improvements to its accessibility features this time around.
“Android 16 adds the ability for LE Audio hearing aid users to switch between the microphone built into their hearing aids and the microphone on their phone for voice calls.” We’ll hear more about Android 16 and its public release schedule at Google’s next I/O developer event in May.