Although only a few months have passed since the release of Android 15, exciting changes and improvements in the new version are already in the testing phase. Here are the key updates introduced with Android 16 Beta 1!

Google Officially Releases Android 16 Beta 1

Android 16 addresses long-standing optimization issues for tablets and foldable devices. Previously, many apps were not fully compatible with larger screens and were forced to operate only in portrait mode. With this update, Android will bypass these limitations, encouraging developers to resize their apps.

This change is set to revolutionize the experience for large-screen devices. By default, all apps—except for games—will adapt to a wide-screen interface. With this move, Google signals a more serious approach to the tablet market.

Android 16 Beta 1 introduces a feature similar to iOS’s popular Live Activities, allowing users to track active tasks such as delivery notifications, navigation, and timers directly from the notification bar. Although brands like Samsung and OnePlus have already supported such features, this functionality will now be integrated into Android’s core system.

The Advanced Protection Video (APV) Codec, pioneered by Samsung, is officially supported in Android 16. This codec enables professional-grade, lossless videos with 10-bit color encoding and bit rates up to 2Gbps. This is a significant advantage for content creators, bringing smartphones closer to professional video editing tools.

The update is currently available for Pixel 6 and later models. If your device is running the developer preview, you can navigate to Settings > System > Software Updates > System Update to upgrade to the new beta version.

What do you think about the innovations in Android 16? Share your thoughts with us!