Android 16 is Google getting serious about foldables

 

Google officially revealed out Android 16 for those who haven't seen the beta version of the next OS, which includes UI modifications and new animations.

There are reasons why this is sensible and reasons why it may not be: it is divisive, with many individuals already remarking on how much they dislike the changes. But it is also visual. You can't see the underlying modification that improves network connectivity or protects against malicious applications. You can notice new colors, UI components, and animations. In addition, they are popular among many individuals.

This year feels different. There has been a lot of effort on "morphing" the UI in a dynamic fashion; shifting items about, spinning your phone, and running several apps on the screen all have their own unique flare. You may like or dislike it, but it is visible to everybody.

A tablet was not a topic of much discussion (yet). Following the Android Show, Google's Dieter Bohn spent a few minutes to demonstrate several amazing Android phones, but no tablets. Maybe Google has more to say about them, but nothing worth highlighting before the major developer conference begins.

I believe we will hear more about tablets at I/O, but I am pretty certain we will hear far more about foldables. Something tells me that Google believes foldables have a real chance of becoming the popular product that transforms the mobile tech world. And, let's be honest: hearing anything other than AI would be good.

Any firm that manufactures Android devices will struggle to compete with Apple's iPad. That's by design; Apple made sure there was a gadget for every budget, and they come in a variety of sizes to accommodate everyone. If you've ever used an iPad, you know it's a reliable gadget.

The Galaxy Tab S is a fine tablet, but it lacks the stickiness of the iPad. No major Android tablet competes directly with the iPad. I'm not sure why, but that's what it is. People choose Android tablets for a variety of reasons, including the necessity for a low-cost option for their children or their commitment to Samsung's product ecosystem.

You cannot purchase a foldable phone that does not run Android. It's a dead halt. Some models from firms like as Huawei are not "official," but even if the name suggests otherwise, they are Android-based. That is because anyone may get the code and use it whatever they wish. Apple may eventually follow suit and release a foldable phone, but for the time being, anyone looking for a phone that flips or folds up can only find Android.

Google must take advantage of this. I know we see and hear about "large-form-factor" or multi-screen devices every year, but I believe Android 16 will be more than just that.

Foldables have the potential to revolutionize everything. There are currently two difficulties with the category: pricing and durability. You may adore them (I believe the Moto Razr is one of the nicest phones I've ever used), but you can't dispute they cost more and are more delicate.

What I like to call the fragility factor improves year after year. You still need a plastic covering to preserve an unbelievably thin layer of glass, and any deep scratch will destroy everything, but that's the nature of the beast. Designs now include display surface protection, hinges are stronger and wobble less, and the unattractive crease is becoming less noticeable with each subsequent version. A foldable phone will never be sturdy enough to be used on a construction site, but it will withstand everyday misuse far better than before.

Cost is becoming less of an issue, albeit not as rapidly as durability. Foldables, particularly book-style gadgets such as the Galaxy Z Fold or Pixel Fold, are costly to manufacture, contain expensive components, and simply cost more. That is not going to change.

Consider this: you have the option of purchasing a Galaxy S25 Ultra, a Galaxy Tab S10 Ultra, and a Samsung Galaxy Chromebook, or a future version of the Galaxy Z Fold that nearly completely replaces all three. Yes, you read it correctly: Jerry believes that foldables might replace not only phones and tablets, but also laptops and Chromebooks. Call me insane.

Will that actually happen? I don't know. You don't know, and neither does Google or Samsung. However, it is possible if the technology is designed with this future in mind and the software creates a foldable object that "just works". Making it enjoyable to use, watching screen elements shape-shift as you open a display, and adjusting several programs to fit properly on a single screen are all part of it. Just like a laptop.

I'm not ready to declare the tablet dead, and I'm never going to suggest that a phone can replace a laptop. But I do not manufacture consumer electronics or design software for them. I just use what works best for me. If, one day, a foldable is the greatest option because Google has finally taken the category seriously, I'd save a lot of money and buy that one magical gadget.