Honor has officially rolled out the Android 16 Beta 3 Developer Preview for its latest flagship, the Magic 7 Pro, making it one of the first non-Google phones globally to offer access to the upcoming OS. Starting May 7, developers can download and test Android 16 on the device, months ahead of the final release expected in June 2025.
This early access program reflects Honor’s ongoing partnership with Google, building on its previous involvement with Android 15 Beta 1 across the Magic 6 Pro and Magic V2. It also signals Honor’s renewed commitment to long-term software support, now promising up to seven years of Android OS and security updates in select markets, something that puts the brand in a competitive tier alongside Google and Samsung.
Android 16, internally codenamed “Baklava,” is approaching platform stability, with Beta 4 already available and the stable build likely to land around Google I/O 2025. Until recently, these beta builds were exclusive to Pixel phones, but Google has expanded access to include top-tier flagships from Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Vivo, and now Honor. Notably absent from the list is Samsung, which is still preoccupied with rolling out Android 15-based One UI 7.
For developers and testers with the Magic 7 Pro, flashing the beta ROM requires a bit of technical effort. The process involves downloading the appropriate package from Honor’s developer site, enabling USB debugging, and executing a Python-based script through the Honor Suite on a PC. The installation won’t wipe user data, but the system moves to a separate user partition, rendering existing data inaccessible unless backed up in advance.
This release isn’t intended for average users. Like any early beta, Android 16 Beta 3 is buggy and can lead to unexpected behavior. A known issue listed by Honor even includes a low-probability scenario where the phone might restart randomly. Still, for developers eager to test the new APIs and help shape the experience ahead of the full release, this is a significant window.
Honor’s addition to the Android 16 beta list is more than just a developer opportunity, it’s a sign that the company is leaning deeper into the Android ecosystem and global relevance, especially as it eyes a stronger presence in Europe and beyond.
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