Google is preparing to make a change in Android TV operating system updates. According to information obtained, the company will now release Android TV versions every two years instead of every year. Google, which will skip Android TV 15 and move directly to Android 16, aims to offer this update to users in mid-2026. This decision of the company was taken because users do not renew their televisions as frequently as smartphones and their TV usage habits are different. It is curious what impact this new update approach will have on the television industry.
User trends in the TV industry point to a much slower renewal process compared to mobile devices. Many users use the device for 5 to 10 years after purchasing a television and focus on hardware features such as screen size, resolution, price and sound quality rather than the operating system in their purchasing preferences. With this change, Google aims to reduce the pressure on television manufacturers to switch to the latest Android version. While operating system updates are made rapidly in the smartphone world, the fact that such frequent innovations are not deemed necessary in televisions also brings to the fore the impact of software updates on the user experience.
Since Android TVs are generally devices focused on media consumption, the impact of software updates on user experience is more limited than on mobile devices. Google’s decision to offer an update every two years rather than a new Android TV update every year was preferred because it would not fundamentally change users’ television experience. Making TV updates once a year is considered an unnecessary burden for both device manufacturers and users. In addition, Google’s new approach maintains the flexibility to update periodically to comply with regulatory requirements and technology evolution.
Google shared the new Android TV update schedule with partners
Google shared the new schedule of Android TV updates with its partners at a partner conference it held recently. In line with the new decision, updates of the Android TV operating system will now be carried out every two years, and these updates will include both new features and regulatory changes. Removing the obligation for TV manufacturers to update more frequently can reduce costs in the Android TV ecosystem and provide a more balanced development process.
However, this change may also affect the speed at which smart televisions keep pace with technological advances. Today, increasing smart home devices and internet of things (IoT) compatible systems enable televisions to have a more central position in the in-home ecosystem. However, Google’s spread of updates over two years also raises the question of how quickly these devices can support innovations in smart home integration. For example, if updates such as faster processor support or improved connectivity options are offered at longer intervals, users may have to wait longer to use some features.