10 best features of Android 16 Developer Preview 1 & 2

New Android versions usually launch in the fourth quarter of each year, but 2025 breaks this tradition. According to the Android Developers Blog, Android 16 will debut much earlier, with two consecutive releases. The first stable version is slated for Q2 2025, followed by another release in Q4 2025.

Since Android 16's first release is scheduled for launch earlier than usual, Google has already rolled out Developer Previews 1 and 2, which highlight numerous new features and APIs aimed at helping developers. While these additions might be less exciting for the end user, they promise a better overall experience.

This article lists the best features highlighted in Android 16 Developer Preview 1 and 2.

Note: This article is subjective and solely reflects the writer's opinions.

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What are the best features of Android 16 Developer Preview 1 & 2?

1) System triggered profiling

Profiling Manager is an API added in Android 15 that allows developers to diagnose system traces and identify the causes of app crashes or malfunctions.

Now, a system-triggered profiling function will be introduced. Whenever your Android system detects app issues, such as slow cold starts or Application Not Responding (ANR) errors, it will automatically begin profiling and collecting diagnostic data. This feature will provide developers with more resources to resolve these problems quickly.

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2) Richer Haptics

Android's haptic system has hardly been implemented in a meaningful way, and apps rarely take advantage of it. It's safe to say Apple iOS has a better haptic system, thanks to its robust API.

With Android 16, Google will introduce an API that allows apps to set distinct amplitude and frequency curves.

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3) New APIs for photo picker and health records

Photo picker UI in Android 15 (Image via Google, Android Developers Blog)

The photo picker will get a new API that is supposed to integrate seamlessly with the Photos app while providing a secure way for applications to access pictures and videos from your device.

There is also a new API that allows apps to access and save health records in the FHIR format, which is the standard for healthcare data storage and exchange.

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4) Better job introspection

This API helps developers discover why a job is pending, which can lead to "Application Not Responding" (ARN) errors. It indicates whether the delay is due to constraints set by the developer or the Android system.

This API can also check the history of recent job constraints to an app. If the developer can find what's causing the job constraints, they will be able to resolve the issues and minimize ARN errors.

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5) Adaptive refresh rate

Testing Adaptive refresh rate (Image via Google, Android Developers Blog)

The adaptive refresh rate feature was first introduced in Android 15. It allows the system to adjust the display’s refresh rate to match the content’s frame rate, currently played using dedicated VSync steps.

Android 16 expands this functionality to do the same thing on a per-app basis.

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6) Job execution optimizations

With Android 16, Google will adjust the runtime quota for the execution of both regular and expedited jobs. This will result in an app's better background runtime and keep it stable for longer.

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7) Disruptive Accessibility Announcements are deprecated

Android 16 will remove accessibility announcements since they can negatively impact users relying on accessibility features like TalkBack and Screen Reader.

Instead, developers are encouraged to use alternative accessibility APIs for better support in their apps.

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8) Privacy Sandbox

Privacy sandbox on Android (Image via Google, YouTube/Android Developers)

The Privacy Sandbox for Android will introduce stronger safeguards to protect user privacy from unauthorized apps, minimizing data collection and sharing.

Additionally, a new SDK runtime will load Software Development Kits (SDKs) in a separate and isolated environment to ensure they don’t access user data.

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9) Cloud and search support in photo picker

The new photo picker will not only be able to show photos from local storage but also from cloud storage, possible even GDrive. It will include a built-in search functionality for easier access to images.

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10) Enhanced security

Android 16 enhances support for the robust security features of the Wi-Fi 7 system, including an Advanced Encryption Standard-256-based encryption system for better protection against data breaches and Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attacks.

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More exciting features are expected in the Android 16 Beta 1 update, which is anticipated for release in January 2025.

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