Android 16 Arrives: A Look at the New Features and the List of Supported Devices

Android 16: Supported Devices and How to Update

The initial release of Android 16 is exclusively available for Google's own line of Pixel smartphones. This "Pixel-first" approach is a key advantage for the brand, giving its users immediate access to the latest software. Other major Android manufacturers like Samsung, OnePlus, and Xiaomi will begin rolling out the update to their respective devices in the coming months, after they have adapted the OS for their hardware and software customizations.

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The list of currently supported devices includes:

• Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and Pixel 6a

• Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel 7a

• Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and Pixel 8a

• Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold

• Pixel 9a

• Pixel Fold and Pixel Tablet

For owners of these devices, the update is being delivered automatically through an over-the-air (OTA) notification, which ensures a simple installation process. To manually check for the update, users can navigate to Settings > System > Software update.

Key New Features in Android 16

This latest version of Android introduces several significant features aimed at refining the user experience.

• Live Updates: This is Google's answer to Apple's "Live Activities." It allows users to see real-time information, such as the status of a food delivery or a ride-hailing service, directly on the lock screen in a discreet, pill-shaped bubble. This makes it easier to monitor ongoing activities without having to unlock the phone and open the app.

• Advanced Protection: In an effort to enhance user security, this feature is designed to provide better protection against online scams and malicious app intrusions. Android 16 will now proactively alert users if they attempt to visit a potentially unsafe website or if any other suspicious activity is detected.

• Adaptive Apps across Devices: Google is improving how apps work across different screen sizes. With this feature, apps will automatically adjust their layout to provide a more seamless experience on foldable phones and tablets, a much-requested improvement for users of these devices.

• Visual Refresh: Android 16 includes a subtle but noticeable visual overhaul based on Google's Material 3 Expressive design language. This includes updated font styles, more rounded app icons, and a redesigned settings menu with new color accents to help differentiate sections. The media controls have also been reimagined for a more modern look.

• Battery Health Indicator: For users of the Pixel 8a and newer models, Android 16 introduces a new Battery Health Indicator. Similar to a feature on iPhones, it provides detailed information about the battery's current condition and offers estimates on its longevity, helping users know when a replacement might be needed.

With Android 16, Google is clearly focused on delivering a more polished, secure, and versatile operating system. The initial rollout to Pixel users gives them a first look at these new capabilities, while the rest of the Android world waits for the updates to be tailored for their specific devices.