"Android 16 fights against the stretching of unattractive apps and black bar screens."
Android 16 will remove applications that impose resizing restrictions. Adaptability becomes the new standard, benefiting foldable devices, tablets, and desktop layouts.
The initial beta version of Android 16 is now available, aimed at developers and enthusiasts who wish to explore the new features available on their compatible Pixel hardware. While there aren't many significant updates, real-time updates, a simplified version of Apple's Live Activities system, support for the Advanced Professional Video (APV) codec, and the ability to enable night mode in camera apps are included.
The most relevant change is what Google has termed app adaptability. Essentially, application windows will be able to be freely resized to fit all screen sizes and orientations. While this may seem trivial, on a platform where dimensions and aspect ratios vary across different brands, the user experience of applications quickly becomes a challenge. The situation is further complicated by the variety of formats, such as phones, tablets, foldable devices, and desktop environments on large screens (like Samsung DeX). This has led to unappealing compromises: awkward letterboxing or stretched app interfaces that are not visually pleasing. Some brands, like Samsung and Oppo, have developed custom tools for resizing application windows, but there was no universal solution for Android enthusiasts.
Google has been attentive to users' frustrations for some time. With the arrival of Android 12L, the company intensified its efforts to improve the app experience on large screens. With Android 16, it seems they are getting closer to an optimal solution. The company has indicated that this version limits the ability of apps to restrict screen orientation and resize on large screens. Adaptive apps will be the future, and those that try to impose limits on scalability and orientation changes will no longer be able to do so.
This means that, regardless of format or screen size, apps will automatically adjust to the available space. The new adaptability standards will apply on Android and any other compatible platform where they can be accessed natively, including the internal screens of large foldable devices, desktop-capable tablets, and desktop environments like Chromebooks.
One of the best pieces of news is that users will have control over how they want apps to adapt to their device's screen. Google has mentioned that Android 16 will offer an optional setting for users to maintain the default behavior of apps regarding aspect ratio adjustments. The company acknowledges that developers might encounter challenges, such as overlapping content or buttons that fall off the screen, so the change will be gradual. During the first phase of the transition this year, developers will be able to opt out of the adaptability standards for their applications. However, by 2026, these standards will become platform-wide standards with no option for exclusion.
