Despite Android 15 was released recently, Google is already moving to Android 16, which is happening much earlier than usual. And if you have a Pixel device released in the last two years, you can get Android 16 Developer Preview 1 right now.
Typically, when Google releases a beta for Android, the Pixel line gets it before any other phone. When Google announced Android 16 today, we didn’t know exactly which Pixel models might get the developer preview. But Google has just revealed which models can run Android 16, and two of them are a bit surprising.
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According to Google’s support documentation, the Pixel 6 and newer models will be able to get Android 16. This is a surprise considering the Pixel 6 line was originally slated to receive guaranteed Android 15/October 2024 updates. So, if you’re still holding onto your Pixel 6 device, it looks like it could last another year.
Here’s the full list of Pixel devices that can receive Android 16 Developer Preview 1:
- Pixel 9 Pro Foldable
- Pixel 9 Pro XL
- Pixel 9 Pro
- Pixel 9
- Pixel 8 Pro
- Pixel 8
- Pixel 8a
- Pixel 7 Pro
- Pixel 7
- Pixel 7a
- Pixel 6 Pro
- Pixel 6
- Pixel 6a
- Pixel tablet
- Pixel fold
This brings the total number of devices that can receive this early beta preview to 15. Considering we didn’t expect the Pixel 6 line to go beyond Android 15, this is a very pleasant surprise.
So, what’s new in Android 16? For now, it doesn’t look like there are any major new features. One significant change, however, is a new API for Android’s photo picker, which should make it “feel like a more integrated part of the app” you’re using it in. Most third-party apps now use their own photo picker, but once developers support the new API, it should become more secure and hopefully encourage more developers to use it. There are also several new APIs for reading and writing medical records using Health Connect.
But why is Android 16 releasing so much earlier? Google says it must give developers more time to prepare their apps for the next version of Android.
Again, this is a very early Android 16 developer beta, so we don’t recommend downloading it unless you’re actually developing an app. And even then, you should install it on a device that is not your daily driver.
Source: Digital Trends
