Google has officially rolled out Android 16 Beta 2, bringing incremental updates alongside new features for Android devices. As a beta version, this release comes with a few added features to optimize the user experience, such as motion photo mode, hybrid auto-exposure, and the like.
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Android 16 Beta 2 Update Announced: New Features, Eligible Devices, and Expected Stable Release Timeline
Among the new features in Android 16 Beta 2 is the hybrid auto-exposure mode that enables users to set some exposure settings manually, while the auto-exposure algorithm handles the remaining parameters. This allows further freedom compared to the current mechanism, where users can either manually control everything or have an auto-exposure in full control. Another significant upgrade is its extreme control over color temperature and tint for more professional video recording. In the past, this was only achieved using the auto white balance setting.
One of the more promising features in this update is known as “Motion Photo Capture,” which is basically Google’s answer to Apple’s Live Photo. It allows users to capture and enjoy motion photos natively on Android. It also adds UltraHDR image support for the HEIC file format, while Google is also working towards native support for UltraHDR images in AVIF.
The rest of Android 16 Beta 2 beyond camera optimizations includes live updates, improved adaptive refresh rate support, embedded photo picker, and more. All these features in concert are supposed to fine-tune the Android experience for various use cases.
The Android 16 Beta 2 update is currently available for a range of Google Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 series, Pixel 8 series, Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, and the upcoming Pixel 9 lineup.
Google has confirmed that the stable version of Android 16 is expected to launch this summer, with reports indicating a rollout beginning on June 3. More details about the update will likely be shared during Google I/O, scheduled for May 20-21. This timeline suggests that Android 16 will arrive earlier than usual, marking a significant shift in Google’s typical release schedule.
FAQs
Which devices support the Android 16 Beta 2 update?
All recent Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6, 7, 8, and 9 series.
When will the stable Android 16 update be released?
The stable rollout is expected to begin on June 3.
