Historically, Google has announced its newest Android version in the third quarter, usually around late summer or early fall. Nevertheless, Android 16 was launched much earlier, making it available already. This allows users with contemporary smartphones to receive it sooner.
It is recommended to consistently accept official updates. These not only bring the latest features but also deliver security patches to safeguard your device. Even if new features aren’t a priority, the security aspect alone serves as a strong incentive to update. While Google I/O 2025, the Android I/O Show, and the developers’ beta provided a preview of Android’s future, I have been delving into the new update now that it is officially out.
If you are excited about new features, I have some thrilling updates to discuss. If you are unsure about updating, here are several features in Android 16 that might encourage you.
Material 3 Expressive
Credit: Google
The first significant update is the new Material 3 Expressive UI in Android 16. It brings forth adaptive and responsive UI elements, like buttons that move during interaction and app controls that are more vibrant and animated.
Examples of this can be found in Google’s video, showcasing its thoughtful design. While it doesn’t alter functionality, the updated appearance and interactive quality create a distinct experience in Android 16 compared to Android 15, especially as more applications embrace the revised UI.
Adaptive apps improve foldables
Credit: Google
When it comes to applications, Android 16 offers improvements for enhanced functionality. While these may not be immediately apparent as developers will need time to adopt them, the idea is quite promising. Google refers to these as Adaptive Apps, motivating developers to create apps suitable for a variety of screen sizes. With the increasing prevalence of foldables, having a mobile-only UI becomes more impactful, and Adaptive Apps cater to this need.
The idea is clear-cut. Apps function normally on a typical smartphone display but automatically adjust to occupy the screen width on tablets or foldables. This resolves challenges associated with larger screens where mobile-only apps have restricted functionality. Similar to Material 3 Expressive, developers will require time to implement this, but