Rita El Khoury / Android AuthorityTL;DR Google could also be making plans to free up Android 16 in Q2 of 2025. This might be bizarre for Google, which normally releases primary variations of Android in August, September, or October. The discharge date of Android 16 has no longer but been showed, on the other hand. With out fail, Google releases a brand new model of Android once a year. This yr’s model is Android 15, and its supply used to be additionally printed in the beginning of the month. Should you glance again on the historical past of Android model releases, you are going to to find that Google normally plans primary releases for Q3 or This autumn of the yr. Google now appears to be shifting the discharge of Android, as proof means that it is going to release Android 16 someday in Q2 of 2025. Google has launched new variations of Android within the months of August, September, or October. Android 15, for instance, arrived previous this month. Final yr’s Android 14 replace got here out in early October. In the meantime, the 2022 Android 13 replace seemed in August. You must return to 2012’s Android 4.1 Jelly Bean to get an Android model that did not arrive in August, September, or October. Android 15Vanilla Ice Cream September 3, 2024 Android 14 Upside Down Cake October 4, 2023 Android 13 Tiramisu August 15, 2022 Android 12 Snow Cone October 4, 2021 Android 11 Purple Velvet Cake September 8, 2020 Android 20 August 2020 Android Tarte 18 Android 8.0 Oreo August 21, 2017 Android 7.0 NougatAugust 22, 2016Android 6.0MarshmallowOctober 5 , 2015Android 5.0LollipopNovember 12, 2014Android 4.4KitKatOctober 31, 2013Android 4.1Jelly BeanJuly 9, 2012Android 4.0Ice Cream SandwichOctober 18, 2011Android 3.0KitKatOctober 2012December 31, 2012English Might 20, 2010Android 2.0EclairOctober 27, 2009Android 1.6DonutSeptember 15, 2009Android 1.5CupcakeApril 27, 2009Android 1.1February 9, 2009Android 1.0September 23, 2008 release within the replace supplied. Any adjustments that do not need sufficient time or have expired to be put in in a given free up are driven somewhere else – flush and redo. Due to just right equipment, cast structure, and platform repairs, Google has made it simple for years to increase, check, and distribute new variations of Android. Alternatively, one side of Google’s construction procedure has remained the similar because the starting of Android: the way in which its platform builders maintain AOSP branches. Previous this yr, Google in the end moved Android to a sustainable construction fashion, with the purpose of supporting the steadiness of the platform. . Beneath Google’s solid venture, its Android builders paintings on a unmarried, interconnected inner “major” department and use flagging to decide which APIs are supported within the builds they push out. This model has already introduced some attention-grabbing updates, and it sort of feels that it has additionally helped Google to free up new updates quicker than earlier than. If truth be told, Google could have determined to free up Android 16 previous than same old as it has self belief on this new gadget. Whilst pouring over the Compatibility Definition Report (CDD) of Android 15, I spotted that Google discussed two times “25Q2” as the following free up of Android. The rationale this stuck my consideration is as a result of on the time of free up, we will be able to expect every other model of Android in 25Q3.
This isn’t recognized, however since Google launched Android 14 QPR2 in March – the professional free up of Android – the corporate began the usage of dates to explain Android. Android 14 QPR2, for instance, used to be referred to as 24Q1 whilst Android 14 QPR3 used to be referred to as 24Q2. Android 15 is 24Q3 whilst the impending Android 15 QPR1 free up is named 24Q4. With this in thoughts, we go back to the “25Q2” documentation within the CDD and in numerous AOSP teams noticed via teamb58 builders. During the last few weeks, a number of Google engineers have left feedback in AOSP that still point out that 25Q2 would be the subsequent primary Android free up. The primary remark used to be left on a patch that provides a smaller model of the Linux kernel to “Android W” (which some Googlers nonetheless use to name Android 16 although they have determined to modify the codename to “baklava”). The remark says that this transformation is coming in “25Q2 / Android W” and that’s the reason why it may not be integrated till the discharge of 25Q1 cool in ~ 3 months.
Mishaal Rahman / Android Authority The following evidence may also be present in a patch that implements a brand new API within the Bluetooth stack. The patch hasn’t been integrated but since the 24Q4 free up “does not permit API adjustments.” This is smart since 24Q4 is Android 15 QPR1 and API adjustments are allowed for primary Android releases. Subsequently, the patch is modified to “25Q2 window (ie after 25Q1 used to be reduce).” Likewise, the 3rd piece of proof additionally mentions how the API adjustments may not arrive till the 25Q2 version.
If 25Q2 used to be simply Android 15 QPR3, it would not make sense for Google to push API updates into the discharge. Google commits to builders to not introduce any updates or new APIs with out affecting the SDK model. Because of this you will not see any new software-related options or API adjustments in QPRs, and that’s the reason why I consider 25Q2 refers to Android 16 and no longer Android 15 QPR3. Talking to the supply, my bet appears to be right kind, as the following model of the SDK makes a speciality of the 25Q2, whilst the 25Q3 is referred to internally because the QPR. If I’m right kind that 25Q2 method Android 16, then Google plans to free up it in Q2 of 2025. Q2 refers back to the months of April, Might, and June, however the free up of Android in Q2 happens in June. I might be stunned if Google releases Android 16 in April or Might bearing in mind we’ve not began the preview program but, however it could be wonderful to have the replace able for Google I/O. A minimum of, the early free up will make certain that subsequent yr’s Pixel telephones may not be introduced with ultimate yr’s Android, because the Google Pixel 9 sequence arrived with Android 14 as an alternative of Android 15. Were given a tip? Communicate to us! Electronic mail our group of workers at information@androidauthority.com. You’ll be able to be nameless or obtain credit score for info, it is your selection. Feedback
