Coincidence or not, Google decided to release the final version of Android 16 the day after Apple unveiled its new operating systems! And by happy coincidence, the two rivals each launched a major overhaul of the interface of their respective OS: Liquid Glass for Apple, Material 3 Expressive for Google.
What's new in Android 16?
While the desire on both sides is to make the operating system more expressive, Apple is focusing on transparency and lighting effects, while Google is playing the roundness and "emotion" card. This doesn't mean much in absolute terms, but the idea is to create a connection with the user with a more organic interface. However, we'll have to wait a little while before seeing Material 3 Expressive arrive: the final touch is expected later this year, probably this fall.
The new features don't stop there. Android 16 is full of improvements and new features, some more important than others, like Live Updates, the equivalent of Apple's Live Activities for displaying dynamic notifications on the lock screen—to track a Google Maps route or the arrival of a delivery.
Widgets will also be placed on this same lock screen. Messaging app notifications will be summarized by Gemini's AI. A new settings panel will show battery health. Quick settings and the notifications panel are clearer and better separated... We covered the new features of Android 16 in this article.
Android 16 will be available for installation starting today on compatible Pixel devices (starting with the 6th). The update should soon appear in the smartphone's settings, but those in a hurry can retrieve the system image.
As always with new versions of Android, deployment on other smartphones is at the mercy of manufacturers. Some will want to be the first to offer Android 16, while others will take their time. On Samsung's side, One UI 8—which is based on Android 16—is already available in public beta, with a final release scheduled for this summer.
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