As someone who uses Android every single day, the arrival of a new major version is always an exciting moment for me.
It’s usually pretty easy to predict when it’ll arrive, too. With a couple of exceptions, Google appeared to have settled into a consistent September/October release window.
Until now, that is. With Android 16 , Google decided that 10 June was the most appropriate release date. June! Before summer officially started, and more than two months ahead of the expected launch of the Pixel 10 series .
As you can imagine, I was excited. As someone who’s used the Pixel 9 Pro XL (one of the few currently compatible devices) for months , I was ready to experience something new.
However, my experience with Android 16 so far couldn’t have been more disappointing. A combination of missing features and broken functionality has left me regretting being among the early adopters.
Material not very expressive
Android 16 will bring lots of changes with it, but undoubtedly the most significant is ‘Material 3 Expressive’. This new design language is a big change compared to the previous ‘Material You’ interface, using colour, shape and movement in an attempt to deliver an experience that feels more personal and interesting.
Based on official screenshots and Google’s descriptions, I’m not convinced this will be a successful move , despite being part of the Gen Z target demographic. But I am very excited to give it a try, and open to changing my mind.
Material 3 Expressive is nowhere to be seen yet
Sadly, unless I download the beta, I won’t get a chance any time soon. Material 3 Expressive won’t actually be available until the QPR1 update, with rumours suggesting its launch could coincide with the Pixel 10 on 20 August. At the time of writing, that’s seven weeks away! The current version is disappointingly familiar .
My question is: why? Why launch ‘Android 16’ as a half-baked version without its headline changes? Why not wait until later in the year when Material 3 Expressive is actually available? And why pretend that people are getting Android 16, when it’s really just a rehashed Android 15 for now?
The version of Android 16 I’m currently using isn’t totally devoid of changes, with a new VIP widget, support for custom stickers and real-time photography tips all being added. But none of these would convince anyone to upgrade – I certainly wouldn’t have bothered if I’d known.
It’s really bugging me
However, Android 16 has a much bigger problem than the lack of new features. It’s a buggy mess right now, at least in my experience.
Here are all the issues I’ve run into since getting Android 16 just a couple of weeks ago: app crashes on a daily basis; unresponsive apps several times a week; parts of one app incorrectly overlaid on another on multiple occasions; 10 pop-ups, three seconds apart, asking me if I wanted to close the ‘unresponsive’ WhatsApp or wait (it was working just fine).
It’s Android 16 in name only
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Oh, and one time where the phone just switched itself off and wouldn’t respond for several minutes, despite having plenty of charge. It eventually came back to life after plugging in and intermittently holding down the power button.
None of these are major issues in and of themselves (except maybe the unresponsive phone), but they are all very annoying. Combined, the bugs make for a clunky, frustrating experience that you just can’t rely on.
As a result, the version of Android 16 on my Pixel 9 Pro XL is undoubtedly worse than Android 15. I wish I’d never upgraded (or downgraded, in this case), especially on my main phone, and I’d urge you to do the same, at least until most of the bugs are patched.
If not, you could be in for a few nasty surprises.
Author: Anyron Copeman, Mobile Editor, Tech Advisor
Anyron is Mobile Editor at Tech Advisor, where he’s been a mainstay of the editorial team since 2019. In his current role, Anyron is responsible for all smartphone, tablet and mobile network coverage on the site. A BA Journalism graduate, he has experience with a wide range of consumer tech products and services, including smartphones, tablets, foldables, wearables and more.
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