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Google will detail Android 16 today, a week ahead of Google I/O – and we're covering it live

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Google will kick off its I/O 2025 developers conference next week, but in a break from tradition, it has decided to unveil its latest Android early.

The Android Show: I/O Edition will stream live later today, where it will announce all the features and changes coming with Android 16. That is tipped to include a major design change, plus a few other surprises, so it should be a very big deal.

The new software will invariably arrive on Pixel devices first, but will then roll out to many of the other best Android phones from multiple manufacturers over the coming year.

So stick with us right here as we chart the launch of Android 16 today, up to and through The Android Show presentation itself.

Android 16 essential reading

Here are some of the biggest rumours and details on Android 16 we've covered so far:

Also check out the latest on Android 16 below:

LIVE: Latest Updates

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What will be left for Google I/O?

Google I/O

(Image credit: Google)

With Google opting to focus on Android early, it's right to wonder what will be left to talk about during I/O next week.

The event starts on Tuesday 20 May and we expect it to almost exclusively centre on Gemini. After all, the AI system is said to be replacing Google Assistant completely and soon – many will want to know what that will entail.

We'll be covering Google I/O in full too, so we'll let you know more on our expectations and the latest gossip closer the time.

6 exciting features coming with Android 16 (hopefully)

Android 16

(Image credit: Future / Chris Hall)

Although Google is yet to confirm the new features coming with Android 16, we've already had a number of sneak peeks thanks to the beta builds that were made available. We've also had a few leaks in recent times.

That's how we've managed to put together our list of the 6 headline features you should look out for.

Compatible Pixel handsets

Google Pixel 9 review

(Image credit: Future)

Google is yet to detail which Pixel phones will support the final build of Android 16, but the latest beta release was compatible with Pixel 6 and above. So, if you have or are planning to buy a device from the Google Pixel 9 family, you can rest assured that it'll definitely run on the new software.

Watch The Android Show live

The Android Show mascot – May 2025

(Image credit: Google)

The Android Show: I/O Edition will start at 6pm BST / 10am PDT today and you can watch it right here on T3.

We don't yet know the runtime of the presentation, but it's likely we'll hear a lot about the new Material 3 Expressive design. We'll also hopefully find out when the final build of Android 16 will be available to Pixel phone owners.

Google lets the cat out of the bag early

Material 3 Expressive

(Image credit: 9to5Google)

One of the biggest leaks we've had came from Google itself.

It is alleged to have accidentally posted a blog on Android 16's new Material 3 Expressive design. The page was quickly withdrawn, but not before eagle-eyed journalists managed to grab some of the screens from it. The words were also archived online.

It will basically bring a bolder, clearer and more useful design language to your phone. We'll undoubtedly hear more about it during The Android Show, but it's great to see Google taking the OS in a new direction.