This month, Android 15 was released for Pixel devices, and many other devices are anticipating their updates. While it may feel premature to start discussing Android 16, reliable analyst Mishaal Rahman has shared that not only will the next operating system receive an update sooner than originally thought, but Google plans to roll out two updates in 2025.
To grasp the significance of this news, it’s essential to understand the Android release cycle. Google typically unveils a new Android update annually. This year, we have Android 15, and Android 16 is expected next year. In addition, users receive smaller version updates throughout the year, known as quarterly platform releases or QPRs.
While it’s reasonable to expect that Android 16 will launch in the latter part of the year, Android Authority reports that the main update is likely scheduled for Q2 of 2025. This timeline is ahead of the anticipated schedule, which enables Google to introduce a secondary update in Q4, featuring new APIs. Although the specifics of that update are unclear, Google assures that it won’t necessitate developers to rework their applications and that support isn’t mandatory.
This means that the upcoming update should have minimal impact on apps, so users need not worry about their favorite games crashing due to the operating system upgrade.
The report indicates that, despite the altered schedule for 2025, it doesn’t guarantee that two Android updates will occur annually in the future. As Rahman mentions, “Google informed me that future timings after 2025 will hinge on its internal roadmaps.”
This unusual release schedule could be an anomaly, or it might signal a new trend. Only time will tell, but the fact that Google is rolling out Android 16 much earlier generates excitement among Android enthusiasts.