Prior to Google I/O 2025, the company has provided us with a trailer that Android 16 will bring in a new event called “Android Show.” But if you think Google will spread all the juicy details early on, then…it’s not very important.
In Tuesday’s special Android I/O version, Google confirmed what almost everyone knows: Android 16’s UI glow is called Material 3 Expracer. Beyond that, the presentation struggled to introduce Gemini AI (mostly on devices other than a phone or laptop) and doubled as a glorious promotional reel for the Galaxy S25 Edge and other recently Android-powered hardware.
Check out new homes in Android 16 and Wearos.
Credit: Google
Google I/O 2025: Gemini, Android 16 and Project Astra expectations
Are you at a loss? kind of. But to give credit to the expiration: the expressiveness of Material 3 is Damn it looks good. What we see in the stream looks elastic, liquid and unattended, just like Memphis corporate art no longer struggles to get weird, just tends to be fun.
We will get more details in our Big I/O keynote on May 20.
Mixable light speed
Here’s what we know about Android 16
The new Android 16 UI will be more colorful and animated.
Credit: Google
A real feature that is really exciting? Filter fingerprint unlocking finally comes older pixels. Once exclusive to Pixel 9 in early developer builds, this sleek unlock method now goes back to the Pixel 6, including the 6A, 7 and 8 series. No more tapping on the screen is just to scan your fingers.
Currently, this biometric feature is only performed on Android 16 Beta 3. If this update shows any signs, Android 16 isn’t about reinventing the wheel. It’s more about smoothing the ride – tuning, polishing and quality of life upgrades, quietly patching the friction points left by Android 15.
According to Google, the full version was originally scheduled to land sometime before the end of June.
What is the difference between Android 16 and Android 15? Here are some other changes we know so far:
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New appearance provided by Material 3 Expression UI update
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New accessibility features for tools like dialogue
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Camera improvements such as improved temperature/toning adjustment, new hybrid auto exposure mode, additional support for Ultrahdr images
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Photo selector improvements for apps using this feature
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Third-party applications will be able to disable AI writing tools
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Better night mode detection in photo/video applications
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Auracast Broadcast Audio Supports Compatible Hearing Aids (Specially for Pixel 9 devices)
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Improved text contrast
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Other Gemini features, although there are few details so far
