Android rival Apple as they confirm major free upgrade coming to phones today

The tech world is ablaze right now, with everyone talking about Apple's next big thing. All eyes were on the annual Worldwide Developers Conference, with the much-hyped Apple keynote revealing what the tech giant has been tinkering away on behind the scenes.

Even though we didn't get confirmation of a new iPhone, Apple was keen to show off a bright future with the reveal of iOS 26 and the glossy Liquid Glass UI overhaul. While not everyone was impressed with what's supposed to be the biggest iOS revamp since iOS 7, there's no denying that everyone is talking about it.

Trying to take some of the attention away from Apple, Google has just released Android 16 in the midst of WWDC 2025.

In a post from the Apple Developers X account, they wrote: "It's almost time for the Android 16 final release! See you back here tomorrow." That means Android 16 should release today (June 10).

Among the changes, Android 16 will improve its Advanced Protection Mode. Android devices will automatically reboot after a certain period of inactivity in hopes of preventing USB hacks. Elsewhere, there's a new battery health feature, Quick Google Wallet controls, detail-rich screen notifications, and more.

Other devices need time to add their own customization, meaning Android 16 will likely only launch on Google Pixel devices to start with. Like when certain iPhones will be locked out of iOS 26, phones older than the Pixel 6 won't be able to run Android 16.

Much like there were complaints that Apple failed to launch iOS 18 with Apple intelligence, Google's big Material 3 Expressive visual overhaul isn't coming just yet. Although some will be able to try it out as part of the Android 16 quarterly platform release 1, most will have to wait until later this year until we'll be able to make the most of the brighter aesthetic.

Even though Google itself hasn't confirmed it's taking a leaf out of Apple's book, the fact it wants to connect to its users on a more ‘emotional’ level suggests it's been taking notice of what its rival has been cooking up in the lab.

There are sure to be those who grumble that Android 16 pales in comparison when compared to the visual revamp of iOS 26, but let's not reopen old wounds of the Apple vs Google tech wars.

Poking fun at Android 16's imminent release when compared to iOS 26, one skeptic wrote: "Don't you dare make it glassy. I'm gonna rip out the OS from my Pixel if you do."

Another added: "Further adding salt to Apple's wounds."

A third said: "Does it have unreadable glass effects? If it doesn't, I don't want it 🤣🤣."