With Android 15 set to launch in just a few days, you might think it’s too early to talk about Android 16. But interestingly, we already have hints about what Google may have in store for the next big update, expected to debut in 2025.
While none of these features have been officially confirmed, they were spotted in the Android 15 QPR1 beta by tech expert Mishaal Rahman, suggesting that they might make their way into Android 16 eventually.
Improved notification management
Ever felt overwhelmed by a flood of notifications when you turn on a device you haven’t used for a while? It happens to the best of us—once your device connects to the internet, you’re bombarded with old notifications, even those you’ve already seen on other gadgets.
Android 16 could offer a solution to this notification overload, building on improvements seen in Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2. In that update, notifications older than two weeks are automatically dismissed. Instead of full notifications, you just get a short summary, enough to figure out what needs your attention without the usual sound, vibrations, or clutter.
If this feature makes it to Android 16, it could save users a lot of stress by keeping their notification flow cleaner and less disruptive.
Repeated notification detection
Originally introduced in Android 15 Developer Preview 1, this feature was designed to help reduce the flood of notifications from the same app. Instead of your phone ringing at full volume every time, notifications gradually become quieter when you’re bombarded with multiple alerts in a short period.
Though Google removed this feature in later versions of the Android 15 beta, there’s evidence from Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2 that “Notification Cooldown” hasn’t been completely scrapped. If it’s added to Android 16, it could be a game-changer for keeping notification noise down, especially when you need to focus.
Lock screen widgets
Lock screen widgets vanished back in 2014 with Android 5.0, but Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2 reintroduced them on Pixel tablets. Users can now customize and access these widgets with a simple swipe from the right edge of the lock screen.
There’s hope that this feature will be refined in Android 16, making it available on smartphones as well. Imagine having a widget right on your lock screen, allowing you to control your smart lights or air conditioning without unlocking your phone. And to save space, these widgets could be stackable, similar to how Samsung has implemented it on their devices.
Partially hidden chat bubbles
When Google rolled out Bubbles with Android 11 in 2020, it allowed messaging apps to open conversations in a floating window above other apps, making it easy to view or reply to messages quickly. Once done, you could minimize the conversation into a small floating icon for easy access later.
Normally, chat bubbles are either fully visible or completely hidden, but Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2 introduced a third state. You can now move chat bubbles to the side of the screen, keeping them handy without fully obstructing your view.
Floating bubbles for any app
While the chat bubble feature is handy, it’s limited to messaging notifications and can be turned off. As a result, many apps don’t support it. However, the Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2 code suggests Google is testing a feature called “bubble anything,” which could allow any Android app to be used in a floating window.
Once activated, Pixel Launcher adds a “bubble” button to the context menu that appears when you long-press any app icon on your home screen. Tapping this button opens the app in a floating bubble, allowing you to use it while multitasking.
This feature was spotted in the Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2 for Pixel devices, but it’s likely to be part of Android 16.
Conclusion: What’s next for Android?
While Android 15 is just around the corner, it’s exciting to see what could be on the horizon with Android 16. From more intuitive notification handling to better multitasking tools, these potential features aim to make the user experience smoother and less cluttered. Google’s constant innovation keeps pushing the boundaries of what our devices can do, and Android 16 seems poised to be another major step forward.
Fact-check section:
- Mishaal Rahman: Tech expert and former editor-in-chief of XDA Developers, Rahman is known for uncovering features in Android beta builds.
- Lock screen widgets: Reintroduced in Android 15 QPR 1 Beta 2 for Pixel tablets, but not yet available for phones.
- Notification Cooldown: Initially introduced in Android 15 Developer Preview 1, but removed in later versions of the beta.
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