Google rolled out Android 15 stable version a couple of weeks back. As rumoured, the company has confirmed that the next major release of Android will happen in Q2 of 2025.
The company also said that there will be another minor release in Q4 2025, so there will be two Android versions in 2025 with new developer APIs. These releases will help to drive faster innovation in apps and devices, said Google.
Android 16 in Q2 2025
The Q2 major release will be the only release in 2025 to include behaviour changes that can affect apps, said Google and added that it is planning the major release for Q2 rather than Q3 to better align with the schedule of device launches across its ecosystem, so more devices can get the major release of Android sooner.
This confirms that the Pixel 10 series will likely get the August release or even earlier with Android 16 unlike the October release of Android 15, since the stable version of Android 16 should arrive by June 2025. It will also release the Android 16 developer preview soon, which will likely begin as early as December 2024.
Minor Android release in Q4 2025
The minor release in Q4 will include new APIs, but, like the incremental quarterly releases, it will have no planned behavior changes, minimizing the need for compatibility testing.
To differentiate major releases (which may contain planned behavior changes) from minor releases, minor releases will not increment the API level. Instead, they’ll increment a new minor API level value, which will be accessed through a constant that captures both major and minor API levels.
Regarding this, Google said:
Our aim with these changes is to enable faster innovation and a higher level of quality and polish across releases, without introducing more overhead or costs for developers. At the same time, we’re welcoming an even closer collaboration with you throughout the year. Stay tuned for more information on the first developer preview of Android 16.
The shift in platform releases highlights Android’s commitment to constant evolution and collaboration. By working closely with partners and listening to the needs of developers, Android continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in the mobile world. It’s an exciting time to be part of the Android ecosystem, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds!