- Android 16 Beta 2 rolls out to select Pixel Devices
- The new beta reveals camera features, a new shortcut to Google Wallet and more
- There is still no release date for Android 16, though it probably launches much later in the year
Although it appears that Android 15 only recently rolled out to handsets from various phone manufacturers, Google is already pushing forward with Android 16 – the other beta is currently choosing Pixel smartphones (Google Pixel 6 or later).
We are already seeing tips and demo versions of new features suggesting that Android 16 will be an important update to the world’s most popular mobile operating system, with new camera tools, live messages and a practical new trick to Google Wallet.
Google’s blog from Android Developers has published two submissions about the first and second versions of Beta, showing new features for users and new developer -focused tools.
The internal code name for Android 16 is Baklava, which makes sense to me – this is already formed to be an update with layers of new features to dig in. Read on for a influence of the top five new features so far.
Android 16 brings a number of new camera tools, many of which are aimed at professionals.
There is a new hybrid auto-exposure mode that allows users to manually control ISO and exposure time while the phone handles exposure, giving a semi-gone between the current automatic and full manual modes.
A few minor updates make their way to the Android 16s Camera app: Support for Ultra HDR images is included and there is a new API that allows third-party apps to detect when night mode is needed and switch to it in the app itself.
Support for the advanced professional video code also comes to Android with this update, as well as precise temperature and tint for video recording.
A new Google Wallet -Andvej
With Android 16 Beta 2, Google has added a practical new shortcut to Google Wallet users who are sure to save time when you pay for things with your smartphone.
The Google Wallet app can now be opened with a double press on the power button that opens the camera by default on most Android hand sets.
So accessing this new feature means saying goodbye to a long -lasting favorite shortcut, but it’s great to have the opportunity.
Personally, I hate the feeling of holding a queue or fumbling around my home screen looking for the Google Wallet app when I pay for something with my phone so I look forward to trying this feature most of all.
Better app change of size
As a long time fan of folding phones, I’m glad to watch Google take steps to make the app change size on larger screens.
Android 16 stages option for apps to limit their screen size and orientation on larger screens, such as those found on tablets or the inner screen on folding phones. This should allow apps to better utilize large panels and give users of these devices a better experience in a wider range of apps.
While it still comes down to app developers to make sure their apps work well across multiple screen sizes, this is a positive step from Google to make tablets and folding devices feel like a portal for the true Android experience.
Live updates
A new type of review comes to Android with its next version live updates is designed to help users keep an eye on events and other live-to-on as they unfold lockscreen.
It’s a similar – yes, the same – idea as Apple’s Live activities, with the biggest difference that Android implementation is not dependent on the dynamic island or another version of it, such as the dynamic cloud found on modern OnePlus -The phones.
As Android Authority notes, Google has suggested that live updates could be used for riding sharing, food delivery and navigation, including use cases. The Live Updates feature includes support for status beams and text reminders, for example, upcoming turns when using navigation apps.
Gemini extensions
This one is a little more mysterious as Google hasn’t given us much to go off, but it seems that the Gemini extensions launched with the Samsung Galaxy S25 series will soon make their way to more Android phones.
The Android developers -the blog simply say that Google “works to make this functionality available on even more form factors”.
The Gemini extensions available on the Galaxy S25, and its larger sibling Galaxy S25 Plus and Galaxy S25 Ultra, allows Google’s AI assistant to access and use other apps on the phone.
In theory, this gives Gemini the opportunity to perform more complex tasks such as creating a shopping list and saving it to Samsung Notes.
So there you have it – five of the best new features that come to all the best Android phones via Android 16. What do you think of these new features? What do you want to see come to Android 16? Tell us that in the comments below.
