Big features could come to Android 16

Recent leaks have shed light on Android 16, Google’s mobile operating system, anticipated to debut in 2025. While official feature confirmations are still pending, insights derived from the beta version of Android 15 QPR1 suggest an exciting array of improvements for users. Here are some of the expected features of Android 16:

1. Enhanced Notification Management:
   Users of multiple Android devices often experience an influx of notifications when reconnecting to the internet after a period of inactivity. Android 16 aims to address this by refining the handling of old notifications. Building on changes introduced in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, the system is designed to filter out notifications older than two weeks. Instead of alerting users with sounds or vibrations, a concise summary will be provided, enabling users to easily identify pertinent applications or contacts without unnecessary distraction.
2. Notification Cooldown Feature:
   To minimize distractions from repeated notifications from a single app, Android 16 is expected to include a Notification Cooldown feature. This feature allows notifications to gradually decrease in volume rather than continuously sounding off. Discovered in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2, this addition could significantly enhance user focus, especially during work hours.
3. Lock Screen Widgets:
   Many users have long awaited the return of lock screen widgets, which facilitate quick access to functions such as a QR code scanner, Quick Share, and hotspot capabilities. This feature was last available in Android 5 Lollipop but has made a return in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 on devices like the Pixel Tablet. There is a growing desire for this feature to be expanded to more device models in Android 16.
4. Customizable Do Not Disturb Settings:
   To cater to users wanting greater control over their notification preferences, Android 16 may introduce fully customizable Do Not Disturb configurations. As highlighted in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 1, this feature will enable users to adjust various settings, including grayscale mode and dark theme options, as well as allowing the creation of a priority mode for specific notifications. This functionality is akin to the custom Focus mode seen on iPhones.
5. Revamped Settings Menu Layout:
   Android 16 is expected to debut a refreshed design for the Settings menu, which has been a long-awaited improvement. The design changes featured in Android 15 QPR1 Beta 2 indicate a grouping of related settings, such as “Security & Privacy” and “Location,” into distinct boxes for easier navigation. This new layout could streamline the user experience, allowing for quicker access to the desired settings.

These anticipated features of Android 16 promise to enhance usability and overall user experience on Android devices.