Android 15 hasn’t been released yet; it’s expected to be available for Pixel devices by mid-October. It’s crazy to already be discussing Android 16, but there seems to be a shift happening, as the Android 16 might be released much earlier than expected next year. The full story is below…
Google might release Android 16 in the second quarter of 2025, which is earlier than usual. Typically, major Android updates come out in August, September, or October. For instance, Android 15 could launch this month, and Android 14 arrived last October.
Google has always followed a yearly schedule for Android releases, but now it seems they’re shifting things up. Evidence suggests that Android 16 could debut in April, May, or June of 2025. This is a big change since the last time an Android version was released outside the usual late summer or fall timeframe was back in 2012.
Android 15, once internally known as Vanilla Ice Cream, has had its codename changed, with recent build numbers indicating a shift from V to A. In a similar vein, Android 16 will carry the codename “Baklava,” according to reports, reflecting ongoing updates and changes within Google’s Android development process.
The company’s development process has improved over the years, making it easier to create and roll out new Android versions. Recently, Google switched to a trunk-based development model, allowing them to work on a single main branch of the code, which helps speed things up.
While reviewing the Compatibility Definition Document (CDD) for Android 15, tipster Mishaal Rahman noticed references to “25Q2,” hinting that this might be when Android 16 is scheduled to launch. Google has started using dates to label Android releases internally. For example, Android 15 is referred to as 24Q3, and upcoming updates have similar designations.
Developers have made comments in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) suggesting that major changes are planned for 25Q2, which supports the idea that this is when Android 16 will be released. Comments about new features and API changes indicate that they’re pushing these updates to the next major version, rather than a minor one.
If this guess is right, 25Q2 refers to Android 16, which means we could see it released in June 2025. This would be great news, especially if it aligns with Google I/O. It would also ensure that the next Pixel phones don’t launch with an outdated version of Android, as happened with the Pixel 9 series, which came with Android 14 instead of 15.
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