Google did one thing sudden this 12 months on the subject of its Pixel telephones and the newest model of Android. The Pixel 9 collection got here out in August, some two months earlier than the same old mid-October launch window that Google gave earlier Pixel fashions. Not like these units, the Pixel 9 nonetheless ran the one-year-old Android OS fairly than the latest launch. Android 15 launched just a few days in the past for the Pixel 9 telephones.
It turned out to be a fantastic choice. Google launched AI telephones earlier than Apple might unveil the iPhone 16 and launch the primary Apple Intelligence options. Google made the Pixel 9 occasion all about AI, making it clear that the majority Gemini options proven in the course of the announcement can be accessible instantly. Android 15 took a backseat to that, because it appeared much less necessary.
That gamble paid off, with the Pixel 9 telephones promoting a lot better than any earlier collection. That’s based on all kinds of latest estimates, although precise figures aren’t accessible.
Extra importantly, Google appears dedicated to a brand new schedule for Android beginning subsequent 12 months. In response to Google, Android 16 needs to be launched within the second quarter of 2025, with an precise launch date having already leaked. This means the Pixel 10 collection is probably going popping out subsequent summer season fairly than October.
Google teased in a weblog put up just a few days in the past that it plans two Android releases in 2025. The “main SDK launch,” which may solely be Android 16, would drop within the second quarter of 2025, subsequently, by June 2025. A minor SDK launch would comply with within the fourth quarter of the 12 months.
Google moved the discharge of Android by 1 / 4:
The Q2 main launch would be the solely launch in 2025 to incorporate conduct adjustments that may have an effect on apps. We’re planning the most important launch for Q2 fairly than Q3 to raised align with the schedule of gadget launches throughout our ecosystem, so extra units can get the most important launch of Android sooner.
Google plans “extra frequent SDK releases” to “assist to drive quicker innovation in apps and units, with larger stability and polish for customers and builders.” I guess Gemini AI is one cause Google is making this huge change to its Android schedule. AI will proceed to be Google’s important focus, and the Pixel telephones will likely be its important {hardware} for Gemini. It is smart to align the Android releases to that schedule.
One benefit of the Pixel 9 launching with Android 14 as an alternative of Android 15 is that it ran extra polished software program than the primary public launch of a next-gen OS. With Android 16 hitting AOSP by the tip of June 2025, Google can have loads of time to repair bugs earlier than the Pixel 10 fashions drop in August. I’m assuming Google would need to launch Pixel telephones in August fairly than October.
This launch schedule additionally advantages different Android distributors. They could replace their flagships earlier than the tip of the 12 months in the identical 12 months a brand new Android model comes out. Have a look at what’s taking place with Android 15 proper now. The Galaxy S24 telephones gained’t get it till early 2025, after the Galaxy S25 launch.
The brand new schedule implies that the primary Android 16 beta launch for builders ought to drop a lot sooner than earlier than. I wouldn’t be shocked if it occurs fairly early in 2025.
What’s fascinating is that Android Headlines already obtained a purported AOSP launch date for Android 16. It’ll be June third, 2025 when Android 16 will head to AOSP and roll out to Pixel 9 and different units.
If the date is correct, Google could be very dedicated to this explicit schedule. It’s unclear why it will occur in early June. With I/O 2025 probably taking place in Could, we’ll uncover extra particulars about Android 16 on the occasion. I’ll additionally word that Apple will unveil iOS 19 someday in early June in the course of the upcoming WWDC 2025 occasion. That’s when it’ll make the primary iOS 19 beta accessible to builders.
Lastly, keep in mind that software program replace delays can at all times occur, no matter what leaks say.
