Samsung has yet to release the beta version of Android 15 (One UI 7.0), while Google has already released the first beta version of Android 16.
Usually, Google releases a developer beta version of Android in the first quarter of each year. However, with Android 16, it is three months earlier with the release of Developer Preview 1. This marks a significant shift in the Android update release timeline.
First Android 16 Developer Preview has been released
Google has released the Android 16 Developer Preview 1 update for compatible Pixel devices. Once a few Developer Preview updates are released, Google plans to release the Android 16 Public Beta update in January 2025, followed by the stable Android 16 update in the second quarter of 2025.
According to Google, this three-month earlier release is meant to “better align with the schedule of device launches across our ecosystem, so more devices can get the major release of Android sooner.” Google also plans to release another minor Android version update in the fourth quarter of 2025.
This means that Samsung has to improve significantly, as it might have to release the stable One UI 8.0 update sometime in the third quarter of next year to keep up with Google.
The story continues after our One UI 7 video below.
What's new with Android 16?
The first Developer Preview version of Android 16 brings an Embedded Photo Picker, Health Records, and Privacy Sandbox on Android. Some other new features include improved Audio Sharing, a 7-day Privacy Dashboard History, and Notification Cooldown.
Embedded Photo Picker
Android's Photo Picker is a built-in UI that app developers can use to pick photos and videos stored on the phone's local storage or on cloud storage. It is safer than custom photo pickers that app developers generally use.
The new Photo Picker can be updated via Google Play System and Google Play Store updates. On Android 14 and Android 15, the new Photo Picker was an option. However, with Android 16, the new Photo Picker will be the default way.
Health Records via Health Connect
The Health Records feature allows apps to read and write a user's medical records in the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) format. It requires explicit user consent to access a user's medical records, such as heart rate or vaccinations.
Privacy Sandbox on Android
It is a way that protects user's data privacy while offering app developers and brands a way to advertise their products and services. Privacy Sandbox was launched in 2019 and is now coming to Android with Android 16.
Audio Sharing via Bluetooth Auracast
Android 16 offers an improved way to share audio with Bluetooth earphones or speakers via Bluetooth Auracast. Android phones with Bluetooth LE Audio can create an audio stream, and multiple users with compatible Bluetooth audio devices can connect to that stream.
7-day Privacy Dashboard History
Android has been offering a 24-hour view of privacy-related data, such as apps that access or request your camera, location, and microphone. With Android 16, that dashboard now shows data from the past seven days.
Notification Cooldown
When you receive several notifications in a short amount of time, Android 16's Notification Cooldown feature reduces your phone's notification ringtone volume and minimizes alerts for up to two minutes. Google says that alarms, calls, and priority notifications are not affected by Notification Cooldown.
Google will likely add more features and user-facing UI design changes in the future Developer Preview and Public Beta versions of Android 16.
