Samsung has yet to roll out the Android 15-based One UI 7.0, and Google has already started rolling out the first public beta of Android 16. This also means we could see the One UI 8.0 beta (if not the final) hit eligible phones earlier this year. That way, we can get a preview of what’s coming to One UI 8 (or Android 16) this summer.
You may have seen the Android 16’s Live Updates feature somewhere
The highlight of Android 16’s first public beta seems to be Live Updates, which “help users monitor and quickly access important ongoing activities.” Sound familiar? It’s similar to what One UI 7.0’s Now Bar does, though to be fair, that’s Samsung’s version of iOS 16’s Live Activities, which launched in 2022.
Both Apple and Samsung let you get notifications for things like live sports scores and app updates, but Android 16’s version is pretty basic — mostly just progress trackers. Google says it’s best suited for things like ride-sharing, food delivery, and maps. Samsung’s Now Bar floats at the bottom of your lock screen, while Apple uses its Dynamic Island for notifications. Android 16, on the other hand, pins Live Updates at the top of the regular notification stack, so it doesn’t quite stand out like the other two.
On top of that, Android 16 is improving support for larger screens, with a focus on app resizing. Developers need to make sure their apps work on devices like foldables and tablets. This means apps should open in full-screen mode on bigger displays. For now, developers can opt out, but starting with Android 17 in 2026, it will be mandatory—games will be the only exception.
That said, Android 16’s first public beta is available for several Pixel devices, starting with the Pixel 6, including the mid-range Pixel 6a, which launched in 2022. At least someone’s not forgetting about the older phones. Wuff.