Google is prone to launch Android 16 sooner than common subsequent yr, in line with particulars noticed on the corporate’s documentation for its smartphone working system. The supply code for Android 15 was released final month, however Google’s Pixel smartphones are but to obtain an replace to the corporate’s newest working system. This purported swap would possibly enable Google to ship its subsequent technology of smartphones with Android 16 out-of-the-box, one thing that wasn’t attainable with the Pixel 9 sequence. In the meantime, Google is reportedly resetting the alphabet primarily based inside codename for Android 15 and Android 16.

The corporate’s Android 15 Compatibility Definition Doc (CDD) contains references to an “Android 25Q2” launch (via Android Authority) that appears to be the following model of Google’s smartphone OS. The publication additionally noticed a remark from a Googler within the Android Open Supply Challenge (AOSP) that refers to a change that shall be launched with “25Q2/Android W”.

Google’s Android CDD refers to an “25Q2 launch”
Picture Credit score: Screenshot/ Google

Different references to imminent API modifications associated to the purported 25Q2 launch additionally helps the speculation that it is going to be a significant launch and never an Android 15 quarterly platform launch (QPR). It’s because Google freezes the addition of latest APIs earlier than releasing a brand new OS model, and no new APIs may be added till the following model replace.

These clues recommend that Android 16 will arrive a lot sooner than earlier variations, which have usually been launched in September or October lately. It’s presently unclear whether or not Google’s Pixel smartphones may even obtain an early replace to Android 16 subsequent yr.

One purpose for this transformation could possibly be in order that Google can be sure that the newest model of Android is able to ship on its smartphones — the Pixel 9 sequence is operating on Android 14, which was launched a yr in the past.

In the meantime, a separate reports claims that Google has reset the alphabet-based codenames for its upcoming Android variations, beginning with Android 15, which was beforehand known as Vanilla Ice Cream. Whereas Android 16 was anticipated to be codenamed with a dessert beginning with the letter W, it seems that the sequence has already been reset.

Whereas Android 15 was beforehand known as Vanilla Ice Cream internally, Google’s newest construct numbers recommend that the letter V has been changed with A. Equally, Android 16 shall be codenamed ‘baklava’, in line with the publication. Whereas the time period has already been noticed in code for the upcoming model, some Google engineers are nonetheless referring to the discharge as Android W.