Android 16 to be released in Q2 2025, three months earlier than usual
Currency several smartphone users waiting for a stable Android 15 software update, while Samsung Galaxy users waiting for One UI 7 beta. Meanwhile, Google has officially confirmed that Android 16 will release sooner, promising a quicker-than-usual schedule with an aim of getting innovative features into user’s hands faster.
Now, Google is planning its next major release for Q2 instead of Q3, confirming a recent report from a blog post about Android 16, which will have the dessert-themed codename “Baklava.”.
Google will launch two Android releases in 2025
Google had officially announced it would roll out a major release in Q2 of 2025 and a minor release in Q4 of 2025.
Android 16 release timeline
The major release means that Android 16 will be released in the second quarter of 2025, which is three months earlier than usual. Therefore, the stable Android 16 update will arrive sometime in April, May, or June 2025. In comparison, the last three major Android releases were introduced in August, September, or October, meaning Android 16 is arriving much earlier than expected.
Moreover, the minor update will have “feature updates, optimizations, and bug fixes since the major release.” It remains to be seen if Google will call that minor release Android 16.1 or Android 16.5.
Why did Google release a major update in Q2?
The major release shift to Q2 instead of the usual Q3 schedule allows device makers to release the latest version of Android to more devices sooner, creating a more consistent experience for Android users. Plus, many smartphones maker launches its new devices in the third quarter.
Google’s Android 16 update plan reflects Google’s commitment to working closely with developers and device partners, aiming to deliver a more innovative and refined user experience. With early testing options, the company is preparing developers and eventually users for a smoother, faster Android experience across the board.
