Android 16 is coming before ever earlier than, and the preliminary preview construct is now obtainable on choose Pixels. Whereas Google normally releases these builds in Q1, the model is altering its technique this time round, and is making the discharge obtainable earlier. There is a good motive for this: with the debut of the Pixels pushed up, Google needs to have the most recent Android model prepared earlier than it pronounces {hardware}, and consequently, we’re getting Android 16 only a month after the secure Android 15 launch.
That is an excellent factor, because it means extra units will include the most recent model of Android put in out of the field. Whereas manufacturers do a good job rolling out the secure Android replace to their high-end telephones, most mid-range telephones take a number of months to make the swap, and this would possibly not be as large a difficulty if the replace itself is obtainable sooner. Whereas particulars are scant in the meanwhile, here is what you must learn about when Android 16 may be obtainable in your system.
In case you have a Pixel 6 and above, you possibly can set up the Android 16 beta proper now. That mentioned, I would not advocate putting in the construct proper now; there aren’t any seen user-facing adjustments, and many of the under-the-hood tweaks aren’t geared toward finish customers anyway.
That may change over the approaching months as Google begins including options to Android 16, and when the time comes, I’ll share extra particulars on what’s new, and whether or not it is sensible to put in Android 16 in your Pixel. Till then although, Android 15 continues to be your best option.
Samsung
Samsung is but to introduce its Android 15-based One UI 7, and the main focus for the model is to get that out the door. We must always see the One UI 7 beta someday later this month, however as of now, Samsung hasn’t detailed plans round Android 16. With the Galaxy S25 collection launching in January, we should always know extra early subsequent yr.
OPPO
OPPO simply launched the Discover X8 Professional and Discover X8 in international markets, and each units run Android 15 out of the field. Whereas there is no particulars on Android 16 simply but, we should always have extra particulars as soon as the general public beta goes stay someday in Q1 2025.
Though ColorOS 15 simply went stay, OPPO is internally testing ColorOS 16, and can launch the model alongside Android 16 someday in Q2 2025. At this level, there is no particulars on new options coming to the interface.
Vivo
Vivo’s X200 and X200 Professional are going international later this month, they usually additionally run Android 15 out of the field. Much like ColorOS 15, there is no telling when Vivo will begin rolling out Android 16-based Funtouch OS, however with the producer doing a a lot better job on this space, it should not take too lengthy as soon as the secure construct turns into obtainable in Q2 2025.
OnePlus
The OnePlus 13 is launching globally in January, and it’ll run OxygenOS 15 based mostly on Android 15. OnePlus is normally good with beta software program releases, and it tends to roll out public betas to its units as soon as they develop into obtainable. It is a good guess that the OnePlus 13 will get the general public beta someday in Q1 2025, however there is no affirmation about that as but — I talked to the producer about the identical, and can replace as soon as I do know extra.
Honor
Honor’s had a busy yr, and its Magic 7 collection is all set to make its international debut within the coming weeks. The telephone comes with MagicOS 9.0 based mostly on Android 15. Honor is leaning closely into AI, and that’s persevering with with MagicOS 9.0, with the model partnering with Google to ship a set of AI utilities. At this second, there is no particulars of when Honor will kickstart its Android 16 beta, nevertheless it ought to be someday after the preliminary public construct turns into obtainable.
Xiaomi
As is at all times the case with Xiaomi, the producer has a number of units launching in December and January. The Xiaomi 15 ought to make its international debut someday this month, however forward of that, the Redmi Word 14 is launching in India, and that system is coming with Android 14.
Xiaomi has been leveraging this technique during the last three years to get out of delivering long-term software program updates, and that is the principle motive why I do not advocate Redmi Word units any longer. If each different model is ready to launch telephones with Android 15 out of the field, there is no motive why Xiaomi cannot do the identical.
Coming quickly
There is not a lot in the way in which of data concerning Android 16 in the meanwhile, that can change over the approaching weeks. Given the accelerated timeline, will probably be fascinating to see if the replace will make its method to extra units. Should you’re on an eligible Pixel, I would not recommend putting in Android 16 proper now — there is no incentive to take action. Once more, that ought to change as soon as we get user-facing adjustments, and I will replace this publish as quickly as new builds go stay.