Android 16 Beta Builds Said to Be On Schedule; Release Dates Surface Online

Android 16 Developer Preview 1 was released in November 2024.

Written by Sucharita Ganguly, Edited by Manas Mitul | Updated: 20 January 2025 13:13 IST

Android 16 Beta Builds Said to Be On Schedule; Release Dates Surface Online

Photo Credit: Google

Android 16 stable version will likely be released in Q2 2025

Highlights

Android 16 Beta 3 will likely roll out on March 12
The first Build version could be released on January 22
Pixel 6a and newer models will be eligible for Android 16 update

Google released the Android 16 Developer Preview 1 in November 2024. The second Developer Preview, allowing tests of new APIs and features, was introduced a month later in December. The first Beta build of the operating system is expected to arrive by the end of this month. A recent report has suggested the expected release dates of the first, second and third Beta builds. The stable version of Android 16 is expected to be unveiled sometime in the second quarter of 2025.

Android 16 Beta 1, 2, 3 Release Dates (Expected)

According to a report by Android Authority, Android 16 Beta 3 will likely roll out on March 12. The Android 16 release timeline confirmed by Google does not mention the exact release dates of the Beta builds. The aforementioned report claims that one of their contributors spotted a comment on Android Gerrit, a web-based code review platform, which suggested the expected release dates of the Beta versions.

The concerned comment reportedly mentioned two other dates, January 22 and February 19. These are expected to be the possible release dates of Android 16 Build 1 and Build 2, respectively. However, since these are not yet explicitly confirmed, readers are suggested to take these timelines with a pinch of salt.

Android 16 May Let Pixel's Fingerprint Unlock Work with Screen Off

Google is expected to roll out additional Beta versions of the Android 16 update targeting Platform Stability before it releases the stable version in Q2 2025. Another version with new developer APIs is expected to be introduced in Q4 of this year. Google confirmed that Pixel 6a and newer models, including the Google Pixel 9 series, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 8 series, Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, Pixel 7a, Pixel 7 series, and Pixel 6 series, are eligible to receive the Android 16 update.

The Android 16 Developer Preview 2 reportedly adds a feature called the Screen-off Fingerprint Unlock. It is also claimed to make use of adaptive refresh rate easier for apps. New haptic APIs introduced with Android 16 DP2 are said to offer richer haptics.

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REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
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UI stutters randomly
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Read detailed Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold review

Display (Primary) 8.00-inch

Processor Google Tensor G4

Front Camera 10-megapixel + 10-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 10.5-megapixel + 10.8-megapixel

RAM 16GB

Storage 256GB

Battery Capacity 4650mAh

OS Android 14

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Google Pixel 8a

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
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Bad
Thick display bezel
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Display 6.10-inch

Front Camera 13-megapixel

Rear Camera 64-megapixel + 13-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB

Battery Capacity 4492mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 1080x2400 pixels

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Google Pixel 9

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
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AI features are fun

Bad
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Heats up
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Read detailed Google Pixel 9 review

Display 6.30-inch

Front Camera 10.5-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB

Battery Capacity 4700mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 1080x2424 pixels

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Google Pixel 7

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
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Bad
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Read detailed Google Pixel 7 review

Display 6.30-inch

Processor Google Tensor G2

Front Camera 10.8-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB

OS Android 13

Resolution 1080x2400 pixels

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Google Pixel 7a

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
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Bad
One-day battery life
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Read detailed Google Pixel 7a review

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Google Tensor G2

Front Camera 10.8-megapixel

Rear Camera 64-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB

Battery Capacity 4385mAh

OS Android 13

Resolution 1080x2400 pixels

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Google Pixel 8

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Smaller form factor makes it more comfortable to hold
Excellent and bright display
Cameras are still the best
Packed with AI features

Bad
Battery life is still not the best
Expensive
Tends to heat up under heavy load

Read detailed Google Pixel 8 review

Display 6.20-inch

Processor Google Tensor G3

Front Camera 11-megapixel

Rear Camera 50-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB

Battery Capacity 4575mAh

OS Android 14

Resolution 1080x2400 pixels

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Further reading: Android 16, Android, Google, Android 16 Beta 1, Android 16 Beta timeline

Sucharita Ganguly

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Sucharita is a writer with Gadgets 360 and is mostly found playing with her cat in her free time. She has previously worked at breaking news desks across organizations. Powered by coffee, The Beatles, Bowie, and her newfound love for BTS, she aims to work towards contributing to a better media environment for women and queer folk. More