Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.
Android just entered a new era of frequent updates with the latest Android 16 release
December 22025
- Google has released the second major Android 16 updatemarking a shift away from the traditional single yearly OS upgrade.
- Starting with Android 16Google will push out more frequent releases that include bigger features and new developer APIs.
- The update is rolling out now to eligible Pixel deviceswith broader availability expected later.
Google has started rolling out what it’s calling the second Android 16 update. Arriving first on eligible Pixel devicesthe update might look like a typical Pixel Drop given its Pixel-first rollout. HoweverGoogle is framing it differently due to its overhauled Android update schedule announced last year.
Why this isn’t a Pixel Drop
Beginning with Android 16Google said it would shift away from the traditional model of one annual OS upgrade supplemented by minor quarterly updates. Insteadthe company said it would deliver multiple Android releases throughout the yeareach containing new system features and developer APIsnot just cosmetic tweaks.
Don’t want to miss the best from Android Authority?
- Set us as a favorite source in Google Discover to never miss our latest exclusive reportsexpert analysisand much more.
- You can also set us as a preferred source in Google Search by clicking the button below.
Google had previously confirmed that two such updates were planned for Android 16 in 2025. Today’s rollout is the second of those releasesarriving roughly six months after the official version of Android 16 first launched in June.
In a blog post announcing today’s releaseGoogle writes“With today’s Android 16 release updatesyour device is getting smartermore personaland easier to manage. This release also marks a new chapter for how Android updates workmoving from a singleyearly operating system update to more frequent releases. This means you get the latest features as soon as they’re ready.”
As previously explained by my colleagueMishaal RahmanGoogle typically uses Quarterly Platform Releases (QPRs) to ship new features; howeverthese rarely include new APIs or changes that affect developer tools. Only on rare occasionssuch as with Android 12L in 2022 and Android 8.1 in 2017has Google released a QPR substantial enough to bump SDK versions.
Howeverwith Android 16these deeper updates are becoming standard rather than exceptions. That means the main Android 16 release in June wasn’t the only one this cycle with new features and APIs.
Google hasn’t given this latest Android 16 update a special marketing namebut for claritywe are referring to it as Android 16 QPR2since it’s the second quarterly release following the initial launch of Android 16. Google says that the update has begun rolling out to eligible Pixel phoneswith broader availability on other devices expected later.
Thank you for being part of our community. Read our Comment Policy before posting.