The best thing about early Android 16? Getting a new phone for Xmas

You may need solely simply began enjoying round with all the brand new Android 15 goodies, however Android 16 will probably be right here ahead of you assume. That’s proper, Google is dashing up its replace cycle, shaking off the yearly cadence for one thing rather less predictable. It’s a giant shift with the potential to shake up how the smartphone business operates and set Android on a brand new collision course with Apple. Stick with me right here.

Android could have by chance settled into its Q3 launch rhythm, however the extra cynical amongst us have typically questioned if the timing had far more to do with Apple than Google would ever admit. With iOS and new iPhone bulletins touchdown like clockwork as September rolls into October, it’s maybe traditionally been seen as vital to have Android within the information across the similar. However ought to Android actually be dwelling in iOS’ shadow anymore? The platform has lengthy had extra trendy options and has taken a major lead within the AI arms race.

In my humble opinion, we’re gone the purpose the place OS updates really feel all that vital anyway. They’re clearly key to bringing new options, supporting the most recent APIs, and preserving units safe, however they don’t make the splash they used to, primarily as a result of telephones really feel greater than ok in hand even in case you’re a few years outdated. At the same time as an Android fan, I can’t bear in mind the final time I felt that itch to smash the replace button. So I’m with Google — let’s ditch the necessary schedule and simply get them out as and when wanted.

There are some fairly important upsides to an earlier and extra common Android schedule, together with dashing up the rollout of key options and giving builders earlier entry to key API modifications. However maybe the most important win for the on a regular basis shopper is that we’d see extra Android telephones in the marketplace in time for the vacation season — that’s good for our stockings and OEM shares.

Might we see Samsung’s Galaxy S collection ultimately launch in time for December? Pushing the most recent model of Android out the door so much sooner will definitely assist; it sometimes takes Samsung a number of months to get One UI shipshape, and the identical goes for many different manufacturers that delicately apply their lick of paint on high. With Android 16 scheduled for Q2 2025 and betas properly earlier than that, producers could have a lot of the yr to prep their newest Android builds earlier than the everyday handset launch cycle begins anew — loads of time.

Nonetheless, smartphone launch home windows are additionally beholden to their chipsets, which have traditionally arrived within the months following a brand new Android announcement. The excellent news is that chipset launches have been creeping up slowly, too. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon Summit launch, for instance, has shifted from December to October in recent times, as has MediaTek’s. We’d most likely want these to shift up one other month or so to carry Galaxy safely onto this aspect of the New Yr’s celebrations, and an earlier Android launch will assist bake in chipset assist that bit sooner. With loads of Snapdragon 8 Elite telephones already eyeballing a 2024 launch, that is trying more and more doable.

Let’s circle again to Apple yet another time. The potential for extra Android units to pile onto retailer cabinets throughout our collective annual purse-emptying ceremony really steals far more limelight from Cupertino than an Android press launch does.

As I mentioned, few care about OS updates anymore, however many nonetheless have their eye on shiny new gadget upgrades. {Hardware} talks and swamping Apple in a sea of superior new Android handsets could be enjoyable to look at, on the very least, however would additionally cease the most recent iPhone from having fun with the busiest and most profitable purchasing interval just about all by itself. Let’s face it: Pixel isn’t promoting anyplace close to sufficient models to damage Apple’s Xmas celebration.

This clearly wasn’t on the forefront of Google’s thoughts when it moved up Android 16’s launch cycle; it’s extra a possible unexpected consequence. Google is targeted on delivering key OS modifications moderately than worrying about if and when telephones hit the market, in spite of everything. The truth that Google’s personal Pixel 9 collection shipped with Android 14 moderately than 15 exhibits the 2 tasks don’t work hand in hand.

In actual fact, updates touchdown shortly after a product launch may turn into the brand new norm for Google and possibly others. If something, separating key OS updates from smartphone launches will probably be an excellent factor, encouraging OEMs to deal with software program as a continuing dedication for all their telephones moderately than one thing reserved for the most recent mannequin. If that additionally means we see a number of extra telephones in the marketplace in time for peak purchasing season, all the higher.