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A day after Apple’s WWDC 2025, Google released major phone software upgrades, starting with the Android 16 update rollout.
The update starts Tuesday, rolling out to Pixel phones with group chat, Google Photos AI edits, and corporate badge support. This update also improves accessibility, messaging, and contact customization, which are the hallmarks of the innovative experience. Beyond Android 16, Google launched separate “Pixel Drop” features for eligible Pixel phones, keeping devices fresh between Android 16 updates.
Android 16 update features and customization
The Android 16 update introduces iOS-style lock screen notifications and a refreshed Material 3 Expressive design for better visual clarity. It also adds anti-theft measures and advanced protection, offering better security for users, especially public figures and high-profile users.
Furthermore, Bluetooth Low Energy audio support arrives in the new update. This improves call quality when using external devices instead of your phone’s mic. In addition, Android 16 users can now natively control the volume on their devices, making the interface more intuitive and responsive.
Android 16 will add desktop-style tablet windowing support and customizable keyboard shortcuts later this year.
Similarly, group chat in RCS is included in the Android 16 update. By implication, this allows users to mute chats or set custom icons easily. The update also enables HDR screenshots and an adaptive refresh rate. Beyond this, it also supports smarter notifications for a cleaner drawer experience.
Pixel Drop and Google Photos enhancements
Google Photos now suggests tools like erase, move, or reimagine, features that align with the Android 16 update experience. Users can now use their favourite devices in Google Home. Additionally, they can use Google Wallet for public transport via Wear OS. Google’s June Pixel Drop launches alongside the Android 16 new features, enhancing Pixel phones with practical tools and visual tweaks.
A new “Pixel VIPs” widget allows users to view call history, messages, and shared events from contacts, enhancing social interaction among users. Similarly, Pixel phones now support improved video captions. Users can enjoy sounds like whispers or yawns, helping deaf people understand content better.
Other improvements with the Android 16 Features
You can now create custom stickers with text prompts in Gboard, expanding the Android 16 update’s creative reach. Essentially, AI-powered summaries come to the Recorder app in French and German, boosting multilingual support under the Android 16 rollout. Australian users gain access to Emergency SOS via satellite, one of the Android 16 update’s life-saving new features. Similarly, a battery health tool is now available on Pixel 8a and the latest. Unfortunately, Pixel 8 and 8 Pro are excluded.
It is also worth noting that Android’s Magnifier app gains haptic search feedback. It importantly allows users to point and receive touch-based responses, a smart update perk. Corporate users can also store work badges in Google Wallet and use Gemini in Docs to summarize and translate content.
Android’s Chrome browser handles PDF links better, giving users smoother transitions between documents and a refined Android 16 update bonus. The June Pixel Drop begins Tuesday, paired closely with the wide release of the Android 16 update to users worldwide.
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