Pixel 10 Could Boot 30% Faster Thanks to Android 16 Upgrade

Google’s upcoming Pixel 10 lineup is shaping up to be more than just a hardware refresh. A recent report hints that the Pixel 10 startup speed could see a major boost—up to 30% faster boot times—thanks to under-the-hood changes in Android 16.

According to Android Authority’s Mishaal Rahman, Google is modifying how Android loads its essential kernel modules. This tweak speeds up a critical phase in the OS boot process, effectively shaving down startup times. A comment from a Google engineer in the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) even confirms that the change was tested on a Pixel 10 device, showing promising results.

While this doesn’t confirm the exact experience users will feel, a 30% faster boot process could translate to noticeably quicker power-ups—especially useful when you’re restarting your phone during software updates or troubleshooting.

Interestingly, the same update was also tested on a Pixel Fold, suggesting that this won’t be a Pixel-exclusive feature for long. Once baked into Android 16’s quarterly rollout, all Android devices could eventually benefit from this snappier boot process.

That said, it’s unclear how much of this speed-up will be tangible in day-to-day use. Most users rarely shut down or restart their phones unless absolutely necessary. Still, it’s a nice quality-of-life upgrade and an exciting tease for what’s coming with Android 16.

The Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, and Pixel 10 Fold are all expected to debut this August. The new software improvements, paired with fresh hardware, could make this one of the most responsive Pixel launches yet. We’re eager to put that Pixel 10 startup speed to the test once review units land.