Google teases surprise Android 16 release right after iOS 26

Alrighty everyone, just a day after Apple announced its new iOS 26, Google is ready to release the stable Android 16 version. It’s been six months of testing, and the Mountain View tech giant has chosen June 10 for the big day. A new teaser by the Android Developers account confirmed the date that the new OS is coming to Pixel phones.We already knew Android 16 would launch earlier than usual, but now, in a rare move, Google has given us the exact date! The company has followed this teaser strategy with several beta builds of Android 16, so it’s not new, but it’s a bit strange when it’s about a stable release.

Android 16‘s release will coincide with the June 2025 Feature Drop, so expect some more exciting things for your Pixel pretty soon. Meanwhile, even the Pixel Watch lineup should get some updates this time around.

Keep in mind that if your Pixel is already on the Android 16 QPR1 Beta, it won’t receive the OTA to stable Android 16. Pixels running the Android 15 stable or Android 16 beta channel are said to receive the update.If your phone is on the QPR1 beta channel, for you to receive the Android 16 update, you should leave the beta program and downgrade your Pixel to the stable Android 16 release. It’s very important to note, though, that if you do that, all data from your phone will be erased! 

The stable Android 16 build won’t bring Google’s new Material 3 Expressive design just yet. However, it is expected to bring other new features and improvements. These include Live Updates, which is very similar to Apple’s Live Activities. Live Updates basically provides you with real-time notification updates, like food delivery status or results from sports events. 

Also, there’s an Advanced Protection mode expected, which is said to unify Android security options into a single menu for your convenience. Other things like Intrusion Logging and Inactivity Reboot are also expected, but it’s possible these will go live later in the year.  

So, both Android and iPhone fans will have to wait for their respective redesigns a bit more. Android 16 is expected to bring a colorful and lively Material 3 Expressive, while Apple is betting on a translucent glass-inspired look. But one is clear – more than ever, the companies are competing for your attention, given that now, things are getting announced more or less on the same day!