As somebody who makes use of Android each single day, the arrival of a brand new main model is at all times an thrilling second for me.
It’s normally fairly simple to foretell when it’ll arrive, too. With a few exceptions, Google appeared to have settled right into a constant September/October launch window.
Till now, that’s. With Android 16, Google determined that 10 June was probably the most acceptable launch date. June! Earlier than summer season formally began, and greater than two months forward of the anticipated launch of the Pixel 10 collection.
As you’ll be able to think about, I used to be excited. As somebody who’s used the Pixel 9 Professional XL (one of many few presently suitable units) for months, I used to be able to expertise one thing new.
Nevertheless, my expertise with Android 16 to date couldn’t have been extra disappointing. A mix of lacking options and damaged performance has left me regretting being among the many early adopters.
Materials not very expressive
Android 16 will convey a lot of modifications with it, however undoubtedly probably the most important is ‘Materials 3 Expressive’. This new design language is a giant change in comparison with the earlier ‘Materials You’ interface, utilizing color, form and motion in an try to ship an expertise that feels extra private and attention-grabbing.
Based mostly on official screenshots and Google’s descriptions, I’m not satisfied this shall be a profitable transfer, regardless of being a part of the Gen Z goal demographic. However I’m very excited to offer it a attempt, and open to altering my thoughts.
Sadly, except I obtain the beta, I gained’t get an opportunity any time quickly. Materials 3 Expressive gained’t really be obtainable till the QPR1 replace, with rumours suggesting its launch might coincide with the Pixel 10 on 20 August. On the time of writing, that’s seven weeks away! The present model is disappointingly acquainted.
My query is: why? Why launch ‘Android 16’ as a half-baked model with out its headline modifications? Why not wait till later within the yr when Materials 3 Expressive is definitely obtainable? And why fake that persons are getting Android 16, when it’s actually only a rehashed Android 15 for now?
The model of Android 16 I’m presently utilizing isn’t completely devoid of modifications, with a brand new VIP widget, assist for customized stickers and real-time pictures ideas all being added. However none of those would persuade anybody to improve – I actually wouldn’t have bothered if I’d identified.
I want I’d by no means upgraded (or downgraded, on this case), particularly on my predominant telephone
It’s actually bugging me
Nevertheless, Android 16 has a a lot greater drawback than the shortage of recent options. It’s a buggy mess proper now, a minimum of in my expertise.
Listed below are all the problems I’ve run into since getting Android 16 simply a few weeks in the past: app crashes every day; unresponsive apps a number of occasions per week; elements of 1 app incorrectly overlaid on one other on a number of events; 10 pop-ups, three seconds aside, asking me if I needed to shut the ‘unresponsive’ WhatsApp or wait (it was working simply fantastic).
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Oh, and one time the place the telephone simply switched itself off and wouldn’t reply for a number of minutes, regardless of having loads of cost. It will definitely got here again to life after plugging in and intermittently holding down the facility button.
None of those are main points in and of themselves (besides possibly the unresponsive telephone), however they’re all very annoying. Mixed, the bugs make for a clunky, irritating expertise that you just simply can’t depend on.
Because of this, the model of Android 16 on my Pixel 9 Professional XL is undoubtedly worse than Android 15. I want I’d by no means upgraded (or downgraded, on this case), particularly on my predominant telephone, and I’d urge you to do the identical, a minimum of till many of the bugs are patched.
If not, you may be in for a couple of nasty surprises.