Table of Contents
Highlights
- Google has teased the users of Android 16 Beta 3, which will be released on March 13.
- This version of Android 16 is set to bring more improvements and user-facing changes.
- Android 16 Beta 3 will be notable as it is bringing Platform Stability as it gears up for its supposed release in June.
Google officially teased the next Android 16 Beta 3, which is released today for interested developers and is set to bring more changes to the system. This teaser was posted from the @AndroidDev X account a month ago, and another post was made yesterday: “We’re dropping Android 16 Beta 3 tomorrow! Make sure to check back in here for the release.”
Roadmap of Android 16
Google had already outlined the schedule for the Android 16’s Developer Previews and Beta release in November. Betas 1 and 2 were released in January and February, respectively, bringing forth major changes to Android. It has now geared up for Android 16 Beta 3, which will implement more changes since the preview circle will be winding down, getting closer to the stable version’s release later.
Android 16 second beta brought significant enhancements, refining both visual aesthetics and functionality. One of the key upgrades includes new camera controls, allowing for better customization and improved photography experiences. Additionally, UltraHDR support for images in HEIC format ensures richer colors, higher contrast, and more detailed image quality, making photos look sharper and more vibrant.
Another major change is the enforced edge-to-edge layout for apps, which eliminates the black bars that previously appeared under the navigation gesture and status bars, creating a more immersive and fluid UI experience. These refinements make Android 16 more polished, intuitive, and visually engaging for users.
Platform Stability
Android 16 Beta 3 marks a critical milestone in the development cycle by achieving Platform Stability, ensuring that app developers now have access to the finalized APIs and system behaviors. This means that the core framework of Android 16 is locked in, allowing developers to confidently fine-tune their apps for compatibility with the upcoming stable release.
One of the notable enhancements from last month’s beta was the Google Wallet shortcut, enabling users to launch Google Wallet by double-pressing the power button, adding convenience for making quick transactions. This gesture-based functionality is a step toward streamlining everyday smartphone interactions.
With Platform Stability now in place, the focus will shift toward final refinements, with only minor beta hotfixes expected before the official rollout. As Android 16 approaches its full release in June, Beta 3 represents one of the last major updates before stability testing concludes, ensuring a seamless, refined experience for both developers and users upon launch.
Upcoming Updates for Android 16
Earlier this year at the MWC, Google’s President of the Android Ecosystem, Sameer Samat, confirmed that Android 16 will most definitely be released in June this year. Judging by this timeline, the last beta of Android 16 will be released in April, after which the hotfix builds will be released before the update is brought forward to Pixel phones. A leak indicated that the stable build of Android 16 will be released on June 3, 2025. Following Android 16’s release, Google also plans to bring a minor SDK update in Q4 2025, prioritizing new features and optimizations.
Conclusion
With the milestone of Platform Stability being achieved by Android 16 Beta 3, Google will steadily progress toward its official release in June. As the conclusive phase of the beta draws closer, developers will see final improvements and refining of the build before the stable version drops for the users. With the plethora of new features, optimizations, and user experience enhancements, Android 16 will become a significant upgrade, and users can look forward to a rich and positive Android experience when the stable build finally arrives in June.
