By Tech Target 
Ahead of its public release, the next major build of Android has achieved a number of significant milestones. The fourth beta version for Android 16 has recently begun to be released by Google, achieving the second platform stability.
Updates can now be released through the Google Play Store by developers who have tailored their apps to run on Android 16. Since all of the background features and app behaviors have been completed, the most recent beta update is also the near-final version.
Why is it important?
The public beta testing of Android 16 has so far only been available on Google Pixel handsets. Google claims that more device companies are jumping on the Android 16 Beta 4 test bandwagon. Based on the most recent release of Android 16, the following companies are currently preparing their own beta updates:
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Honor, iQOO, Lenovo, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, Sharp, Vivo, and Xiaomi. For instance, China’s Oppo has said that a beta version of ColorOS 15, which is based on Android 16, is now available for the Oppo Find X8 in three different regions.
A public beta version of the Xiaomi 15 and 14T Pro smartphones will soon be made available, and Xiaomi is currently a participant in the developer beta testing program. The Vivo X200 and iQoo 13 smartphones are also undergoing developer-focused testing, and the OnePlus 13 is included in the test pool.
What has Android 16 added?
Although Android doesn’t have a completely new user interface, it does include several new features. First, real-time updates and live alerts with a progress bar are now integrated into the whole system. Users will be able to transmit the audio stream from their phone to several Bluetooth-enabled headphones and earbuds thanks to Audio Share.
Additionally, adaptive refresh rate technology—which enables the display to automatically adjust the refresh rate to conserve battery life—will be included in the update. Additionally, Google is granting developers more precise control over the haptic input that appears in their applications.
Regarding the camera specifically, Android 16 uses a hybrid exposure system that greatly simplifies the process of adjusting exposure, ISO, and lighting in camera apps. Similar capabilities for adjusting hue and color temperature in video capture are also being extended by the next-generation operating system.
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Users will be able to exchange medical and health information in the FHIR standard across various apps, thanks to enhancements made to the Health Connect platform. This time, Google is also giving accessibility features a significant boost.
The business claims that Android 16 gives users of LE Audio hearing aids the option to alternate between using their phones’ microphones for voice calls and the built-in microphones on their devices. At Google’s next I/O developers event in May, we should learn more about Android 16 and when it will be available to the general public.