Google I/O 2025 what to expect: Pixel 9a, Android 16, and everything else

Google I/O 2025 is set to kick off on 20 May at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California. There’s bound to be plenty of tasty treats for Android fans to sink their teeth into at Google’s annual developer event.

And if you’re not fortunate enough to attend in person, fear not – there will be a Google I/O 2025 live stream for free online, to ensure you don’t miss a single thing.

Read more: Google Pixel 9a preview: specs, release date and everything we know

Google I/O 2025: when does it start in the US and UK?

The Google I/O keynote start time is 10am PT local for Google on America’s West Coast, which is 1pm ET on the other side of the US, and 6pm BST in the UK. Things typically last for around a couple of hours, so tune in with us – we’ll embed the live stream below as soon as it’s available –and you’ll be among the first to hear about what’s new in Android 16, as well as all plenty of AI updates. There’s plenty more that could break cover, too, with Google having a history of surprise reveals at I/O, as well.

If you’d rather check the livestream out via YouTube, that’s cool too. You’ll find it on Google’s YouTube page, where there will also be a version available in American Sign Language for accessibility. Anyone who’s really into Google will also find it easy to stream other sessions and talks from Google I/O 2025. The opening keynote is the main draw for most people, but there’s a full programme running from 20-21 May, and anyone registered with the Big G as a developer can stream along.

You’ll find a handy big ‘Register’ button in the top right-hand corner of the official Google I/O website, where the opening shindig is also being aired in its entirety.

Join us to watch all the action unfold, but if you don’t have time, check back after the event for all the latest news and easy-to-understand analysis from the show, which we’ll be covering in full. In the meantime…

Google I/O 2025: what we expect to see

One of the only guaranteed hardware announcements we expect to see at I/O will be the long-awaited Pixel 9a, which, from everything we know so far, is shaping up to be one of the best-value handsets of the year. The Pixel ‘a’ range has long been praised for delivering a pure, long-updated Android experience with quality camera hardware and the latest Google features to boot, and we expect this year to be no different.

Android 16 will also, unsurprisingly, take up a fair chunk of stage time at Google I/O 2024. Currently available in beta, it includes all manner of new features focused on productivity, privacy, and security. And, of course, this leads us onto the topic of AI — a trend that refuses to slow down its momentum.

We will almost certainly get updates on Google Gemini. Expect new features and improvements to existing capabilities like Circle to Search. Google I/O has been very AI heavy in the last few years, and we expect this to continue. With Google I/O 2025 taking place just a couple weeks ahead of WWDC, Google will be keen to get ahead of Apple. This probably won’t be hard to do with Apple Intelligence’s poor release.

In addition, we could see an update on the Wear OS smartwatch front, with some other surprises thrown in for good measure. Join us at kickoff on 20 May, and we’ll be sure to update you with all the latest news, as it happens.

Read more: I think the Google Pixel 8a is the best value phone in 2024, and it’s not even close

About

Connor is a writer for Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website. He has been writing for around seven years now, with writing across the web and in print too. Connor has experience on most major platforms, though does hold a place in his heart for macOS, iOS/iPadOS, electric vehicles, and smartphone tech. Just like everyone else around here, he’s a fan of gadgets of all sorts! Aside from writing, Connor is involved in the startup scene. This exciting involvement puts him at the front of new and exciting tech, always on the lookout for innovating products.