Today, Google released the first developer preview for Android 16. At launch, the Android 16 DP1 system images are available for the Pixel 6 series and newer models. Considering the presence of the Pixel 6 series in the list of Android 16 DP1 eligible devices and other reasons, a popular Android insider now hints that the devices could get stable Android 16 next year.
The Google Pixel 6 series could get a stable Android 16 update next year
Google, at the launch of the Pixel 6 series, said it would offer 5 years of software updates, out of which three would include Android updates. The remaining two years would only include security patches. With Android 15 rolling out in October, the Pixel 6 series reached the end of official support for Android updates.
Now, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro are only left to get security updates until at least October 2026. However, the list of eligible devices for Android 16 DP1 released by Google says otherwise. Apart from the Pixel 7, 8, and 9 series, Google has also added the Pixel 6 series to the list of devices eligible for the first developer preview of Android 16.
Mishaal Rahman (via Android Police) believes that it could be an indication that the Pixel 6 series might get the stable Android 16 update in 2025. He further notes that he would “be shocked” if Google doesn’t do so and added a few more things in his latest report to support his speculation.
Rahman adds that A-series phones with later release dates have received quarterly platform releases (QPRs) in the past. But, the same isn’t true in the case of the main phones in the lineup. He referred to the rollout of Android QPR3 as an example. To catch you up, the Pixel 5a received Android 14 QPR3 with the June Pixel update. However, the Pixel 4a (5G) and Pixel 5 didn’t. Considering that, one can assume the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro won’t receive Android 16, but the Pixel 6a will.
Possible reasons why Google could do so
According to him, that won’t be the case with the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro. The Android reporter notes, “It doesn’t make sense for Google to do, for multiple reasons.” One prominent reason behind this is the use of the same SoC across the Pixel 6 series and Pixel 6a. He points out that the things Google would do to push Android 16 to the Pixel 6a would carry over to the Pixel 6 series too.
In addition, “porting Android 16 (and later Android 17)” will allow Google to live up to its promise of providing 5 years of security updates to the Pixel 6 series. Worth noting that despite practicing backporting security patches, Google suggests phone manufacturers migrate their devices to the latest Android version.
Rahman further adds that the company recommends doing that to keep the “device’s Linux kernel up-to-date with the latest fixes.” He also expects Google to push Android 17 as the final update to the Pixel 6 series. Moreover, it’s uncertain at this point if Google is planning anything as such.
