Android 16 will let you turn your phone into a PC on demand
Google is expected to unveil Android 16 and its features on May 13 at The Android Show: I/O Edition. Ahead of that, Android Authority recently discovered that the upcoming Android iteration will introduce a revamped UI with a customizable Quick Settings panel, redesigned Settings menu, and more.
Now, another report from Android Authority suggests that Android 16 will also let you use your smartphone like a PC by pairing it with an external monitor.
Found on the Google Pixel 8 Pro running the latest beta build of Android 16, the phone offers a desktop mode—similar to Samsung DeX—when connected to an external monitor, with a Chromebook-like user interface.
This will enable users to transform their phone simply by pairing it with an external monitor to get some serious work done. However, this feature is likely to be limited to high-end smartphones equipped with powerful chips capable of driving an external monitor. The phone should also have a fast USB-C port to enable the experience.
Android desktop mode is still under beta testing, and it is unclear whether Google will release this capability on day one of the Android 16 rollout or if the update will be added to eligible devices at a later date.
It's also unclear whether this feature will remain limited to Google Pixel smartphones or if other Android smartphone makers will offer the same to their users. Nonetheless, Android 16 is shaping up to be a much bigger update than anticipated, offering a robust set of new features, an improved UI, and possibly AI-powered experiences.
Google recently seeded the final beta of Android 16, indicating that the launch of the stable version is right around the corner. The Pixel range of smartphones will be the first in line to receive the latest Android experience, followed by devices from brands like OnePlus, Xiaomi, and others, which are already testing Android 16 on their latest flagships.
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