Android 16 now features iOS-style live notifications on the lock screen for real-time updates and Google’s new Material 3 Expressive design language. There are new capabilities for safeguarding against theft and scams, along with an updated advanced protection mode to maintain security and privacy for public figures.

Google has launched the new mobile operating system, Android 16, for millions of smartphone users. The design has been revamped and numerous customisation features added. It will soon be available to users of Pixel smartphones.

Apple has revamped multitasking and productivity in iPadOS 26 and having used it for two days, it's already shown these four things that Google needs to add to Android.

With the launch of Android 16 earlier this week, Google did not release the Pixel hardware repos and device trees that are particularly important for custom ROM developers. This led to speculation by some that “AOSP is being discontinued.” Google denies that, but it does seem that the Pixel change is intentional.

Android 16 also adds support for hearing aids with LE audio, letting you connect them to your phone and enjoy clearer calls in noisy environments. This update also includes native controls for hearing aids, designed to make the control process easier to access and more consistent.

Thankfully, Google will ease the pain of small-screen multitasking in Android 16 with a new 90:10 split-screen mode. It will allow you to run one app in near full screen, with the other occupying 10% of the screen at the top or bottom. The feature is already available for Galaxy S25 users in the first Android 16-based One UI 8 beta.