Google Aiming To Release Android 16 In June, Head Of Android Says

Google is set to launch Android 16 earlier than anticipated, with the company targeting a June release date, says a report by Android Police. This launch timeline marks a departure from previous Android version launches, which typically took place in August or later.

Enthusiasts and fans can expect Android 16 announcement at the upcoming Google I/O conference on May 20. The event is said to provide a comprehensive overview of the new OS' features and final release timeline.

At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025, Google's President of the Android Ecosystem, Sameer Samat, was quoted as saying by the report that Android 16 is currently midway through its second beta phase, with Pixel phone users already testing the latest version.

The key to the expedited rollout lies in Google's new development approach called "Trunk Stable". 

This method allows Android developers to collaborate more efficiently by working on a single code branch, as opposed to the earlier method of merging multiple separate branches later in the development cycle.

Samat explained that this new approach enables more regular system builds and reduces the time traditionally spent resolving complex merge-related challenges. 

Despite the move towards more modular updates, Google remains committed to numbered operating system (OS) releases. 

Samat emphasised that these major releases are crucial for introducing key changes and providing users with a comprehensive understanding of new features.

Google can now introduce some improvements through quarterly "Android drops" while reserving more significant changes for major OS releases.