Android 16 Beta 1: What's New

In addition to the features from the Android 16 Developer Previews—like Audio Sharing for Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) devices, Screen-Off Fingerprint Access, Notification Cooldown, and enhanced Health Connect functionalities—the first beta introduces the following updates:

Figure 1. Android 16 Beta 1 Released for Pixel Devices: Key Features & Supported Models.

Android 16 Beta 1 Released: New Features and Early Launch Timeline

Google released Android 16 Beta 1 on Friday, giving developers and enthusiasts early access to the upcoming major update for its smartphone operating system. The beta is currently available only for recent Google Pixel models, with new features unveiled ahead of the full rollout in the coming months. Interestingly, Android 16 is expected to launch in Q2 2024, earlier than Google’s usual Q3 or Q4 release window. Figure 1 shows Android 16 Beta 1 Released for Pixel Devices: Key Features & Supported Models.

Key Features in Android 16 Beta 1

One of the standout additions is Live Updates, a feature that displays the status of ongoing activities like food deliveries or Google Maps navigation. Apps can now showcase custom icons for these progress indicators, visible directly in the notification list. If this sounds familiar, it’s because Apple introduced a similar feature called Live Activities with iOS 16.

Android 16 Beta 1: Enhanced Navigation Features

In previous Android versions, predictive back animations were available exclusively for gesture-based navigation, offering users a preview of the app they’d return to when swiping and holding the back gesture.

With Android 16, Google is extending this functionality to users who prefer the 3-button navigation mode. Now, pressing and holding the back button will display a preview of the previous app or screen, enhancing the navigation experience across both gesture and button-based setups.

Android 16 Beta 1: Camera Upgrades and App Compatibility Changes

Android 16 introduces significant improvements to camera functionality on compatible devices, including support for the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec. This upgrade enables:

• Up to 8K video recording
• Multi-view video capabilities
• HDR10 and HDR10+ support
• Perceptually lossless video quality for superior clarity

Additionally, new application programming interfaces (APIs) will allow apps to detect low-light conditions, enhancing performance in challenging lighting environments.

App Compatibility Updates:

Google is also pushing for better app adaptability on high-resolution screens. Apps must now support resizable windows on devices with a pixel density of 600dpi or higher. While apps targeting API level 36 (Android 16) can opt out of this requirement, this option will be removed for apps targeting API level 37 starting in 2026.

Reference:

1. https://www.gadgets360.com/mobiles/news/android-16-beta-1-google-pixel-phones-eligibility-features-7547254
2. https://www.business-standard.com/technology/tech-news/google-releases-android-16-beta-1-for-pixels-new-features-eligible-models-125012400414_1.html

Cite this article:

Priyadharshini S (2025),”Google Launches Android 16 Beta 1 For Pixel Devices: New Features and Supported Models", AnaTechMaz, pp. 218