Google could be changing its usual schedule for releasing new Android versions. Normally, Android updates come out between August and November each year, but Android 16 might be coming much sooner, between April and June of 2025.
Right now, Android 15 is expected to start rolling out to Pixel phones on October 15, 2024. However, Google seems to be planning and may release Android 16 much earlier than usual. If Android 16 launches by June, it would be a big shift for Google. This change could also match Google’s decision this year to move its hardware launch from October to August. For example, the new Pixel phones this year came out with Android 14 since Android 15 wasn’t ready yet.
Hints about this earlier release were found in documents for developers and in updates to the Android Open Source Project. These references mention changes for “25Q2” (second quarter of 2025) and something called “Android W,” which refers to Android 16. It’s also been rumored that Google has named Android 16 “Baklava.”
These are just clues for now, and nothing has been officially confirmed by Google yet. The release could still get delayed due to last-minute issues, like what happened with Android 14 and 15. However, if the Android new version launches by mid-2025, Google could beat Apple‘s usual iOS release schedule. Apple typically releases its iOS updates in the third quarter, giving Google a potential advantage.
If Android 16 arrives in the second quarter, the Pixel 10 series, expected in August, could launch with it. This means the Pixel 10 would likely come with the Android new version pre-installed, keeping it up-to-date right from the start.
