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Google has officially unveiled Android 16, highlighting the introduction of the new Material 3 Expressive design, enhanced security features, and broader integration of Gemini – beyond just smartphones.
The announcement comes ahead of next week’s Google I/O developer conference, which is expected to deliver a wave of updates across services, apps, operating systems, and AI. To avoid cramming all the key announcements into the traditional two-hour keynote, Google chose to pre-release some details. These were shared during the latest episode of The Android Show, where the company showcased the updated design direction for Android 16, AI-related developments, and a few other notable updates.
What will Android 16 be like? It’s a question that’s been around since the launch of the current version of Google’s operating system. Today, we finally have more clarity. According to Google, Android 16 aims to be faster, more secure, and above all, more user-friendly and visually refined. Here’s a summary of what we’ve learned so far from The Android Show – a preview of the changes and direction Android is heading in the near future.
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Android gets a new design
Let’s start with something that matters most to the average smartphone or smartwatch user. In an era where smartphone performance has made sluggish and bloated system interfaces a thing of the past, manufacturers are now focusing more on design and the overall user experience.
That’s why one of the biggest announcements is the introduction of a new visual design in Android 16. While leaks hinted at this update last week, Google has now officially revealed it. The updated design is called Material 3 Expressive, and it brings a more substantial overhaul to the system’s appearance and layout than we’ve seen in recent versions.
Material 3 Expressive is an evolution of Google’s Material You design language, which was first introduced with Android 12. This upcoming iteration is intended to inject more visual energy into the Android experience. Expect bolder colors, smoother and more natural animations, dynamic theming based on user preferences, a stronger sense of visual depth, and more distinctive typography. The update goes beyond surface-level changes. Animations will not only feel more fluid but will also respond contextually to the environment in some cases. Additionally, haptic feedback will be more nuanced, aiming to enhance the tactile experience of using the interface.
The updated interface is designed to create a more emotionally engaging experience between users and the operating system, aiming for a greater sense of personalization, visual appeal, and intuitive use. Google has made key UI elements more prominent by enlarging them and applying more noticeable colors, with the goal of improving immediate usability. Users will also have more control over customization. The theming options are more extensive, allowing for deeper personalization, and the quick settings panel can now be reorganized more freely to match individual preferences.
Google emphasizes that Material 3 Expressive is designed to make each smartphone feel truly unique. This is to be achieved through new personalization features that allow users to tailor the system’s appearance to match their individual style and personality. But beyond the marketing slogans, the real value lies in how these changes improve everyday user experience.
The focus of Material 3 Expressive is on refining animations to be smoother, more fluid, and natural. These enhancements should be noticeable in areas like quick settings toggles, the notification shade, app closing transitions, and many other parts of the Android interface.
Moreover, it’s not just the system itself – apps are also adopting the updated design language. Google has showcased changes in apps like Photos, Fitbit, and Gmail. In each case, the interface appears brighter and more dynamic, with smoother, more natural animations.
Android 16 will also introduce a real-time updates feature that shows the progress of selected actions directly within notifications.
This new “Real-time Updates” function seems to draw inspiration from similar features found in iOS. It allows important information to be displayed through continuously updating tiles. For instance, it could show the estimated arrival time of an Uber ride to a specific location. These tiles will appear both in the notification center and on the lock screen, accompanied by a small indicator – referred to as a “pill” – near the time at the top of the screen.
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Not only on phones, but also on Wear OS watches
Wear OS, the operating system for smartwatches, will also be updated to reflect the new design language. Google highlights improved animations that are said to adapt to the curved edges of round-screen devices. The system appears to be moving towards a more colorful interface, including dynamic color options, along with new personalization features.
The update also includes improvements to the digital keyboard and gesture-based media controls, with enhanced responsiveness noticeable through more sensitive haptic feedback. Additionally, on-screen forms have been better optimized for smaller displays, and the introduction of new on-screen buttons is expected to improve the ease of managing various functions.
Google has stated that Wear OS 6 includes performance improvements and power optimizations. According to the company, this should result in up to 10% longer battery life between charges.
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Android 16 will receive enhanced security
The number and variety of online scams increase each year, with criminals using increasingly sophisticated methods to manipulate victims. One of the key focuses in Android’s development is security. Google aims to protect users from a wide range of threats, from phone theft to complex cyberattacks.
Android 16 is more than just an update to the Material You design. At the Android Show event, Google announced the introduction of an advanced protection feature that provides a suite of security tools at the device level. These include theft protection, app restrictions, network security and safe browsing functions, as well as spam and fraud protection for calls and messages.
Better fraud protection
With each new version, Android improves its fraud detection methods by incorporating artificial intelligence. As a result, billions of suspicious messages are blocked every month.
Android 16’s updated system will be able to identify various types of scams, including cryptocurrency and financial fraud, ride-hailing scams, gift card fraud, and more. Importantly, this intelligent detection will be performed directly on the device, helping to protect the privacy of user communications.
Android 16 will also offer protection against phone scams by alerting users to suspicious calls and blocking potentially harmful actions. This includes preventing actions such as disabling Google Play Protect, installing apps through a web browser, or granting excessive permissions to apps that could allow them to take control of the device.
In the UK, Google is collaborating with banks to pilot a feature focused on detecting banking fraud. If the trial proves successful, the feature may be rolled out to other countries.
Check your friends with Key Verifier
Fraud often occurs when criminals impersonate someone the user knows. You’ve likely heard stories from messaging apps where contacts suddenly ask for money transfers via Monobank or request that you send an SMS with a code.
To help protect users from scammers pretending to be acquaintances, Google has introduced a tool called Key Verifier.
This feature allows users to verify the identity of the person they’re communicating with through public encryption keys. By checking the key in the Google Contacts app – either by scanning a QR code or comparing numbers – you can confirm that the person on the other end is who you intend to reach.
If an attacker gains access to your friend’s phone number and uses it on another device to send messages – such as through a SIM swap attack – the contact’s status will be marked as unverified in the Google Contacts app.
The key verification feature will be launched in the coming weeks in Google Messages on devices running Android 10 or later.
Theft of mobile devices
Android includes features like remote lock and theft detection lock to secure stolen devices and protect the data stored on them. Recently, Google introduced an identity verification feature for Pixel devices and Samsung One UI 7, adding an extra layer of security. The developer states that this protection method will be available on supported devices from most manufacturers that receive the Android 16 update.
Factory reset protection will be strengthened by restricting device functions if a reset is performed without the owner’s permission. Users will also gain more control over the remote lock feature, including the option to add a security question to help prevent unauthorized actions.
Google is also introducing enhanced protection for one-time passwords generated after locking the phone in Android 16.
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The evolution of localisation – Find Hub
Android 16 aims to support not only the security of your digital life but also your physical belongings. The “Find My Device” service, which helps locate items ranging from a lost phone in the park to misplaced luggage at the airport, has now evolved into a more comprehensive tool called Find Hub.
According to Google, Find Hub allows users to easily locate their devices and tagged items, check whether family members have safely returned home, and share their location during evening walks – all within a single unified interface.
Google has also expanded its list of supported devices and Bluetooth tags through partnerships with several companies. Frequent flyers may find it useful that Google is collaborating with airlines including Aer Lingus, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Iberia, and Singapore Airlines.
This integration will allow users to share the location of their Bluetooth tags with participating airlines starting early next year, making it easier to locate lost luggage.
It’s worth noting that Find Hub is designed to enhance security further by integrating satellite connectivity, where supported by devices and carriers. This feature helps users stay connected with friends and family even in areas without cellular coverage.
The most reliable mobile security from Google
The latest version of Android enhances and expands the features of the Advanced Protection Program, which Google first introduced in 2017. This program makes it easier to activate a range of robust security features on your devices, starting with requirements for security keys or access keys.
The program restricts third-party apps from accessing account data, introduces stricter controls over file downloads, and makes account recovery significantly more difficult for unauthorized users.
When Advanced Protection is enabled, only selected, trusted apps can access Google data, and users receive additional warnings about potentially harmful files and applications.
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Gemini AI – wherever you look
Gemini, Google’s artificial intelligence system, has been available on the company’s smartphones and computers for some time. Now, Google is expanding its reach to more devices. According to the company, Gemini will soon be integrated into vehicles as part of Android Auto. The AI assistant will also appear on Wear OS smartwatches, with further expansion planned. Gemini is expected to be introduced in augmented reality glasses and smart TVs as well. The goal remains consistent: to make AI available everywhere. With Gemini, device interaction aims to become more intuitive and user-friendly. Let’s take a closer look at what this means.
Wear OS 6 watches will also receive integration with the Gemini AI assistant. Users will be able to interact with the assistant using natural language, asking questions or giving commands, such as scheduling calendar events.
Gemini will also be enhanced in Android Auto, enabling it to interact more naturally with the car’s environment and provide useful suggestions, such as the locations of nearby charging stations or restaurants offering gluten-free options. Additionally, Gemini in Android Auto will be able to summarize incoming messages.
The AI assistant will also be integrated into TVs running Google TV. In this context, it will be able to recommend movies and shows – for example, if you ask for engaging children’s videos about the Solar System, Gemini will suggest the most relevant content.
Finally, Gemini will be available on headsets running the Android XR platform, enabling features like trip planning with interactive maps and videos, among others.
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RCS becomes the new standard for communication between smartphone owners
The lead-up to Google I/O 2025 also serves as a good opportunity to highlight the progress made in increasing the adoption of RCS technology. According to Google, smartphone users in the United States now send over a billion RCS messages daily. This level of popularity isn’t surprising, especially considering that RCS is also available on iPhones in the US. What does this mean for users? They can send high-resolution photos and videos or have group chats without needing to install extra apps or sign up for competing services. Overall, this points to ongoing momentum in the adoption of this communication standard.
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When Android 16 will be available to users
The stable version of Android 16 is expected to launch next month, initially available on Pixel devices. However, the amount of Material You Expression elements included in June will be limited. The full rollout of the new design language is likely to be delayed until later this year, although a beta version will be accessible to interested testers during the development process. It’s probable that the new user interface will only become widely available with the update scheduled for this fall.
The Google I/O conference is just a few days away, signaling a period likely to bring a lot of new and interesting updates from the Android ecosystem. It will be worth following closely.
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