Android 16 is now available for every one using an eligible Pixel device. With every new Android release comes doubts of whether your current phone will get the update. And with Android 16 being a major release, you would want to try it out on your device. Pixels have always been the first in line to get new Android versions, and if you own one, here are all the supported Pixel phones and devices that can update to Android 16.
Android 16 supported Pixel phones and devices
Google Pixel 8 series and newer models are all supposed to receive a total of seven years of Android updates. Pixel 7, Pixel 6 and the original Pixel Fold were initially promised three years of major updates.
Android 15 was supposed to be the last update for Pixel 6 series, but Google later surprised Pixel 6 and 7 owners with a two-year extension, making these phones eligible for Android 16.
Here's an updated and complete list of Pixel phones that will get Android 16.
- Pixel 9
- Pixel 9 Pro
- Pixel 9 Pro XL
- Pixel 9 Pro Fold
- Pixel 9a
- Pixel 8
- Pixel 8 Pro
- Pixel 8a
- Pixel 7
- Pixel 7 Pro
- Pixel Fold
- Pixel 7a
- Pixel 6
- Pixel 6 Pro
- Pixel 6a
- Pixel Tablet
While the Pixel 6, 6 Pro, and 6a will also get Android 17 and maybe even Android 18, since Google tends to measure software updates in terms of years, not versions. With Google recently adopting a bi-yearly release cycle, we could see Android 17 release later this year, followed by Android 18 in the first half of 2026. Since the Pixel 6 series is now supported until October 2026, they may remain eligible for a couple more major Android updates.
Android 16 features on Google Pixel Phones
For those wondering what Android 16 brings to the table, the new and upcoming features include Material 3 Expressive, which completely revamps Android's UI. It's complemented by Live notifications, better predictive back gestures, Advanced Protection, and new security and camera APIs to strengthen security and camera features. Here's a quick rundown on the new features you'll find with Android 16 on a Google Pixel phone:
- Advanced Protection mode disables a few Android features that can be exploited by bad actors.
- Search in Photo picker helps you search for photos from your photo library with ease.
- Enhanced Predictive back gestures improves the gesture animations and makes it available across more regions of your Pixel device.
- Live Updates are similar to iOS’ Live Activities, allowing apps to update notifications live to reflect the status of a ride or a food order.
- Material 3 Expressive completely revamps the user interface on Pixels, making it more expressive and colourful. The revamped UI is seen across Quick Settings, Launcher, Settings app and many more UI elements.
- There are new camera APIs and improvements like Hybrid auto-exposure, Colour temperature and tint adjustments. It also includes Night mode detection, Ultra-HDR and more.
- Lastly, it boasts better Factory Reset Protection and brings a host of new privacy features like Privacy Sandbox, Local Network Permissions and more.
Android 16 is currently also available in Beta and recently-introduced Android Canary release. Beta users can test Google's Material 3 Expressive design and try out upcoming features early. So if you're interested, you can install Android 16 Beta on your Pixel phone.
It's worth noting that, despite more stability than Developer Previews, QPR Betas could contain bugs which might hamper your experience. Therefore, it's not advised to install these Beta builds on your primary devices.
Google is expected to launch the Pixel 10 series soon with Android 16 out of the box, alongside which it may also finally bring Material 3 Expressive. Stay tuned as we cover the release and bring more insights when the revamp rolls out.
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