Google tries to fix one of Android’s worst issues, but it’s up to the manufacturers to make it work

One of the biggest drawbacks of owning an Android smartphone is that software updates are often few and far between. Most manufacturers rarely rush to release new software, but it’s not all their fault. For years, Google has been releasing one Android version per year, defining the release cycle of virtually every third-party OEM. 

This week, Google introduced what’s probably the most significant change to Android updates since its launch. Instead of launching one annual Android version every year, the company is moving to more frequent releases.

Unlike the usual Pixel drops, the new version of Android 16 is meant to also reach devices from other manufacturers. That’s why Google said that launch is “a new chapter for how Android updates work.” As impactful as that may sound, there’s a chance Google’s effort goes nowhere unless manufacturers embrace the new reality.

What did Google change with Android 16?

Until now, Google has launched one major Android update every year. What made those updates “major” were not only the new user-facing features but also the new APIs available to developers. Sometimes, Google also launched one of its so-called quarterly platform releases (QPRs), which usually didn’t feature new APIs. Those smaller updates didn’t require an update to the Android SDK (software development kit) version or a new name.

Now, Google is keeping its promise from last year and is pushing more frequent SDK updates. The latest update, which the company calls Android 16 QPR2, is the first to utilize a minor SDK version and includes not only new features but also new APIs.

Unlike major releases, those minor updates don’t introduce any app-impacting behavior changes. That means app developers won’t need to update their apps to make them compatible with the new OS version unless they want to use the new APIs.

The new release schedule could change Android phones

The new accelerated release timeline is meant to address one of the biggest frustrations across the Android world. Now, only Pixel smartphones have the latest Android features shortly after launch, and some third-party devices have to wait for months before being able to implement them.

For example, the new notifications summary feature wasn’t part of the initial Android 16 release, but it’s included in the QPR2 version. That means devices like the OnePlus 15 and the Galaxy S25 can get it with a software update way before the release of Android 17. 

More importantly, brand-new phones, such as the upcoming Galaxy S26 series, can have all the latest Android features at launch. That could put an end to the feature disparity between Google’s own Pixel phones and the rest of the Android world. 

Android updates need improvement

Of course, it’s not as simple as having more frequent Android updates. It all depends on how third-party manufacturers handle software on their devices. Google can’t force any other company to release updates more often, and OEMs don’t seem eager to start doing it.

Even Samsung, which is probably the exemplary Android manufacturer, took over three months to start rolling out One UI 8 to its older flagship devices. Brands like Sony, Motorola, and OnePlus needed even longer, and many older and lower-class devices from various brands still don’t have Android 16 available.