Android Apps to Get a Speed Boost: Google Mandates 16KB Page Size for Android 15+
Get ready for a smoother, faster Android experience! Google is rolling out a significant update that will require all new Android apps and updates targeting Android 15 and later to support 16KB memory page sizes. This may sound technical, but the impact on your phone's performance could be substantial.
Why is this happening? For years, Android has operated using 4KB page sizes. Think of these pages as containers holding data. By quadrupling the container size to 16KB, the system can manage memory more efficiently. This means less "bookkeeping" for the operating system and more resources dedicated to making your apps run smoothly. 
According to Google, the move to 16 KB page sizes means faster app launches from 3% to 30%, improved battery usage, quicker camera startup time, and speedier system boot-ups.
Here's a breakdown of the expected improvements:
- Faster App Launches: Apps could launch anywhere from 3% to a whopping 30% faster.
- Improved Battery Usage: Early tests show an average battery life gain of around 4.5%.
- Quicker Camera Starts: Get your camera ready in a flash – startup times could be 4.5% to 6.6% faster.
- Speedier System Boot-ups: Say goodbye to sluggish startups! Android devices are expected to boot up about 8% faster.
This isn't just about shaving off a few milliseconds here and there. These improvements could cumulatively lead to a noticeably snappier and more responsive Android experience. Jerry Hildenbrand from Android Central notes that "possible bottlenecks can be avoided" and that this change makes it "less likely to be a problem in the future."
When Does This Happen?
The new requirement goes into effect on November 1st, 2025. From that date forward, all new apps and updates submitted to the Google Play Store targeting Android 15+ devices must support 16KB page sizes. Google stresses that many apps are already compatible. For developers needing to make adjustments, Google has provided a guide titled "Support 16 KB page sizes". Popular SDK providers like React Native and Flutter already offer support.
What does this mean for you? In short, a more efficient and responsive Android experience. While the technical details might be complex, the benefits are clear: your favorite apps will launch faster, your battery will last longer, and your phone will feel more responsive overall. This change ensures that Android remains competitive and optimized for the latest hardware advancements.
Google continuously improves Android under the hood to provide their user base with devices that run smoother and longer. 
