Google is more likely to launch Android 16 sooner than regular subsequent yr, in line with particulars noticed on the corporate’s documentation for its smartphone working system. The supply code for Android 15 was launched final month, however Google’s Pixel smartphones are but to obtain an replace to the corporate’s newest working system. This purported swap may enable Google to ship its subsequent technology of smartphones with Android 16 out-of-the-box, one thing that wasn’t doable with the Pixel 9 sequence. In the meantime, Google is reportedly resetting the alphabet primarily based inner codename for Android 15 and Android 16.
The corporate’s Android 15 Compatibility Definition Doc (CDD) consists of references to an “Android 25Q2” launch (by way of Android Authority) that appears to be the subsequent model of Google’s smartphone OS. The publication additionally noticed a remark from a Googler within the Android Open Supply Mission (AOSP) that refers to a change that shall be launched with “25Q2/Android W”.
Google’s Android CDD refers to an “25Q2 launch”
Photograph Credit score: Screenshot/ Google
Different references to imminent API adjustments associated to the purported 25Q2 launch additionally helps the idea that it is going to be a serious launch and never an Android 15 quarterly platform launch (QPR). It’s because Google freezes the addition of recent APIs earlier than releasing a brand new OS model, and no new APIs could be added till the subsequent model replace.
These clues counsel that Android 16 will arrive a lot sooner than earlier variations, which have usually been launched in September or October lately. It’s at the moment unclear whether or not Google’s Pixel smartphones may even obtain an early replace to Android 16 subsequent yr.
One cause for this transformation could possibly be in order that Google can make sure that the newest model of Android is able to ship on its smartphones — the Pixel 9 sequence is working on Android 14, which was launched a yr in the past.
In the meantime, a separate report claims that Google has reset the alphabet-based codenames for its upcoming Android variations, beginning with Android 15, which was beforehand known as Vanilla Ice Cream. Whereas Android 16 was anticipated to be codenamed with a dessert beginning with the letter W, it seems that the sequence has already been reset.
Whereas Android 15 was beforehand known as Vanilla Ice Cream internally, Google’s newest construct numbers counsel that the letter V has been changed with A. Equally, Android 16 shall be codenamed ‘baklava’, in line with the publication. Whereas the time period has already been noticed in code for the upcoming model, some Google engineers are nonetheless referring to the discharge as Android W.