Real-World Performance Benchmarks on the Google Pixel 8a with SmartViser's viSer Neo With every new Android release, Google introduces new capabilities designed to improve security, intelligence, connectivity, and the overall user experience. While feature announcements often attract the headlines, mobile operators, device manufacturers and test laboratories need to answer a more important question: Do these updates deliver measurable improvements in real-world performance? To answer this question, SmartViser used its viSer Neo active test automation platform. Following the release of Android 17, we benchmarked the Google Pixel 8a running Android 16 and Android 17 under identical test conditions to evaluate the impact of the new operating system on everyday mobile usage. Our benchmark evaluated key aspects of smartphone performance across the mobile experiences that matter most to users, including network performance, web browsing, messaging, multimedia streaming and gaming performance. Consistent Testing for Reliable Results To ensure a fair comparison, both test campaigns were executed using the same Google Pixel 8a device, identical SIM configuration and the same automated test sequence. The benchmark was performed under controlled conditions using SmartViser's viSer Neo test automation, eliminating human variability and ensuring repeatable results. Throughout the tests, viSer Neo continuously collected application performance metrics alongside detailed radio measurements, allowing user experience to be correlated with actual network conditions. What's New in Android 17? Android 17 builds on the solid foundation established by Android 16, introducing further improvements in performance, connectivity and AI-powered capabilities. Feature Android 16 Android 17 AI Integration Expanded Gemini integration Enhanced on-device AI and smarter contextual assistance Performance Improved background task management Further system optimisation and faster resource scheduling Connectivity Enhanced 5G support Improved modem efficiency and connectivity management Privacy & Security Advanced privacy sandbox features Additional privacy controls and stronger security protections Battery Management Adaptive battery improvements More intelligent power optimisation User Experience Refined interface and animations Smoother system responsiveness and UI refinements Future Connectivity Initial NTN enhancements Expanded support for emerging technologies, including NTN While many of these enhancements operate behind the scenes, they have the potential to influence network responsiveness, application performance and overall user experience. Test Environment Validation Before analysing application performance, viSer Neo verified that both benchmark campaigns were executed under comparable conditions, including volume and brightness. Figure 1 Device configuration verification prior to benchmarking. Screen brightness, voice call volume and multimedia volume were configured identically for both Android 16 and Android 17 using SmartViser viSer Neo. Maintaining consistent device settings ensures that observed performance differences are attributable to the operating system and network conditions rather than variations in device configuration. Radio Environment Analysis One of the key strengths of SmartViser's viSer Neo is its ability to continuously monitor radio conditions throughout an automated benchmark. This enables engineers to correlate application performance with the quality of the mobile network experienced during testing. For this benchmark, the primary radio indicators analysed were Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), which reflects signal strength, and Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), which measures signal quality and interference. RSRQ (Signal Quality) RSRQ is a key indicator of LTE radio quality. Better (less negative) values indicate lower interference and generally allow the network scheduler to allocate radio resources more efficiently. Figure 2 Distribution of LTE Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) during the benchmark. Android 17 spent 60% of the test in the highest-quality radio conditions compared with 41.6% for Android 16, indicating a cleaner radio environment with lower interference. This improvement aligns with the observed increases in download throughput and reductions in latency. The benchmark shows that Android 17 spent considerably more time operating under excellent radio quality conditions. The percentage of measurements within the best RSRQ range (-8 to -3 dB) increased from 41.6% on Android 16 to 60% on Android 17, representing a substantial improvement in overall signal quality. Although Android 17 also recorded a small increase in the proportion of measurements within the poorest category, these represented only 5.1% of the total benchmark and had a limited impact on the overall results. Overall, the RSRQ distribution indicates that Android 17 experienced a cleaner radio environment with lower interference during much of the benchmark. This is consistent with the higher download throughput and lower latency measured during testing. RSRP (Signal Strength) RSRP measures the received LTE signal strength. Unlike RSRQ, stronger signal strength alone does not necessarily translate into higher throughput, but it provides useful context for interpreting network performance. Figure 3: Distribution of LTE Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) during the benchmark. Although Android 17 experienced slightly weaker received signal strength than Android 16, it still achieved significantly higher download throughput. This demonstrates that signal quality (RSRQ) had a greater influence on overall performance than signal strength alone, highlighting the importance of analysing multiple radio KPIs when benchmarking mobile devices. The RSRP results indicate that Android 17 generally operated with slightly weaker received signal strength than Android 16. While Android 16 spent most of the benchmark in the stronger -100 to -91 dBm range, Android 17 recorded a higher proportion of measurements in the -110 to -101 dBm range. Interestingly, despite the weaker received signal strength, Android 17 still achieved a very good performance. This highlights an important principle in mobile network performance: signal quality is often more important than signal strength. The improved RSRQ distribution observed during the Android 17 benchmark indicates lower interference and more efficient utilisation of the radio channel, enabling better overall network performance despite the slightly lower signal strength. Web Browsing Performance To evaluate web browsing performance, SmartViser's viSer Neo measured the loading time, which represents the point at which a webpage becomes responsive to user interaction. This metric closely reflects the perceived responsiveness experienced by users during everyday web browsing. The benchmark results show mixed performance between Android 16 and Android 17. Figure 4. Comparison of webpage loading times measured using SmartViser viSer Neo on the Google Pixel 8a. Android 17 achieved a 9% faster minimum loading time, demonstrating strong browser responsiveness under optimal conditions. Although the average and maximum loading times increased due to isolated long-loading events, the concurrent improvements in download throughput and network latency indicate that these variations are more likely attributable to external web or server conditions than to the Android 17 operating system itself. KPI Android 16 Android 17 Average Loading Time 1,451 ms 1,730 ms Minimum Loading Time 1,225 ms 1,114 ms Maximum Loading Time 1,721 ms 4,570 ms Data Performance Speed Test: Download Throughput One of the most significant improvements observed during the benchmark was in download throughput. Under identical automated test conditions, the Google Pixel 8a running Android 17 consistently achieved higher download speeds than when running Android 16. Figure 5. Comparison of average and maximum download throughput measured using SmartViser viSer Neo on the Google Pixel 8a. KPI Android 16 Android 17 Average Download Speed 104.37 Mbps 140.14 Mbps Maximum Download Speed 270.79 Mbps 416.02 Mbps Data Performance Speed Test Upload Throughput This chart below shows a different trend from the download throughput results. While Android 17 delivered a significant improvement in download performance, upload throughput remained largely unchanged, with a small reduction in the average upload speed. Figure 6. Comparison of average and maximum upload throughput measured using SmartViser viSer Neo on the Google Pixel 8a. While the average upload speed under Android 17 was approximately 10% lower than Android 16, the maximum throughput remained identical at 150.8 Mbps, indicating that Android 17 preserves the device's uplink performance and that the observed variation is most likely attributable to normal network conditions rather than operating system changes. KPI Android 16 Android 17 Average Upload Speed 26.00 Mbps 23.34 Mbps Maximum Upload Speed 150.80 Mbps 150.80 Mbps Ping RTT This is a good result for Android 17. Lower latency is one of the most important indicators of perceived network responsiveness, benefiting applications such as web browsing, cloud services, online gaming, video conferencing and messaging. Figure 7. Comparison of network Round-Trip Time (RTT) measured using SmartViser viSer Neo on the Google Pixel 8a. Android 17 achieved lower average, minimum and maximum latency than Android 16, reducing average RTT by 4.8% and maximum RTT by 10.1%. These results indicate a more responsive and consistent network experience, particularly for interactive applications such as web browsing, cloud services, gaming and video conferencing. KPI Android 16 Android 17 Average RTT 65.17 ms 62.07 ms Minimum RTT 27.58 ms 22.41 ms Maximum RTT 126.03 ms 113.27 ms Why Lower Latency Matters Latency has a direct impact on many everyday mobile applications: Web browsing: Faster page requests and quicker interaction with websites. Video conferencing: Reduced conversational delay and smoother communication. Online gaming: Improved responsiveness and lower input lag. Cloud applications: Faster synchronisation and file access. Messaging services: Quicker message delivery and acknowledgements. Although throughput often attracts the most attention, latency is frequently a better indicator of perceived user experience. The consistent reduction in RTT observed with Android 17 complements the significant increase in download throughput, demonstrating improvements in both speed and responsiveness. SMS Performance As part of this year's benchmark, SmartViser introduced SMS performance testing to evaluate the responsiveness of one of the most fundamental mobile network services. Although often overlooked in favour of data-centric applications, SMS continues to play a vital role in two-factor authentication (2FA), emergency alerts, enterprise messaging and IoT communications. Figure 8. Comparison of Mobile Originated (MO) SMS transmission times measured using SmartViser viSer Neo on the Google Pixel 8a. Android 17 delivered slightly faster average and minimum SMS sending times while maintaining virtually identical maximum transmission times. These results confirm that Android 17 preserves the reliability of core messaging services and introduces no measurable regression in SMS performance. The benchmark measured the time required to send a Mobile Originated (MO) SMS message from the Google Pixel 8a under both Android 16 and Android 17. The results show that Android 17 maintains excellent messaging performance, with a small but consistent improvement across all measured KPIs. The average SMS sending time decreased from 1,379 ms to 1,362 ms, representing an improvement of approximately 1.2%. Similarly, the minimum transmission time improved by nearly 3%, while the maximum transmission time remained virtually unchanged. KPI Android 16 Android 17 Average SMS Sending Time 1,379 ms 1,362 ms Minimum SMS Sending Time 1,185 ms 1,151 ms Maximum SMS Sending Time 1,564 ms 1,561 ms Gaming Performance Graphics performance plays a critical role in the overall user experience, particularly for Mobile gaming. Maintaining a stable frame rate close to the display refresh rate ensures smoother gameplay, improved responsiveness and a more fluid visual experience. Figure 9. Comparison of WebGL graphics performance measured using SmartViser viSer Neo on the Google Pixel 8a. Both Android 16 and Android 17 maintained a stable average frame rate of 59 FPS, demonstrating that Android 17 preserves graphics rendering performance and delivers a consistently smooth gaming experience without introducing performance regressions. KPI Android 16 Android 17 Average Frame Rate 59 FPS 59 FPS Minimum Frame Rate 58 FPS 58 FPS Maximum Frame Rate 62 FPS 60 FPS Both operating systems maintained an average frame rate of 59 FPS, with the minimum frame rate remaining stable at 58 FPS throughout the test. These results indicate that Android 17 preserves the smooth and consistent rendering performance required for modern mobile games and graphics-rich applications. Although Android 16 recorded a slightly higher peak frame rate (62 FPS compared with 60 FPS), this difference is minimal and has no practical impact on the overall gaming experience. More importantly, the consistent average and minimum frame rates demonstrate that Android 17 maintains stable graphics performance without introducing frame drops or rendering instability. Streaming Efficiency To assess multimedia performance, SmartViser's viSer Neo measured YouTube streaming efficiency during automated video playback. This KPI evaluates how effectively video content is delivered and played without interruptions, making it an excellent indicator of the end-user streaming experience. Figure 10. Comparison of YouTube streaming efficiency measured using SmartViser viSer Neo on the Google Pixel 8a. Both Android 16 and Android 17 maintained streaming efficiencies above 96%, demonstrating excellent multimedia performance. Android 17 achieved a slight increase in average and maximum efficiency, confirming that the operating system upgrade preserves a smooth, high-quality video streaming experience. KPI Android 16 Android 17 Average Streaming Efficiency 96.0% 96.2% Minimum Streaming Efficiency 95.1% 94.2% Maximum Streaming Efficiency 96.8% 97.2% Battery Performance Full Battery Endurance Benchmark Battery life remains one of the most important indicators of smartphone performance. To evaluate the impact of Android 17 on power efficiency, SmartViser performed a full battery endurance benchmark using the Google Pixel 8a. Unlike short-duration battery tests, this benchmark measured the complete battery discharge cycle. Both devices were fully charged to 100% before testing commenced and executed the same automated viSer Neo test campaign continuously until the battery was completely depleted and the device automatically powered off. This battery benchmarking methodology provides an accurate representation of real-world battery endurance under sustained mixed usage. Figure 11 Battery capacity throughout the full automated benchmark. Both Google Pixel 8a devices started the test at 100% charge and executed the same viSer Neo test campaign until the battery was completely depleted. Android 17 achieved a slightly longer operating time (10 h 35 min 26 s) than Android 16 (10 h 31 min 57 s), demonstrating that the performance improvements introduced by Android 17 do not come at the expense of battery endurance. KPI Android 16 Android 17 Difference Battery Endurance 10 h 31 min 57 s 10 h 35 min 26 s +3 min 29 s (+0.6%) Initial Battery Level 100% 100% Identical End Condition Device powered off Device powered off Identical Current Consumption by Application To complement the battery endurance measurements, SmartViser also monitored the average current drawn during each application scenario executed by viSer Neo. Figure 12 Average battery current measured during each automated test scenario. Android 17 maintained a power consumption profile comparable to Android 16, with slightly lower current draw during Speed Test, WebGL Gaming and YouTube Streaming. These results indicate that Android 17 delivers higher network performance while preserving excellent energy efficiency. Average current consumption remained highly consistent between Android 16 and Android 17 across all application scenarios. Several workloads actually required slightly less current under Android 17: Speed Test: approximately 1% lower current consumption WebGL Gaming: approximately 2% lower YouTube Streaming: approximately 2% lower These reductions suggest that Android 17 introduces modest improvements in system efficiency during more demanding multimedia and networking tasks. Conversely, Web Browsing and Ping testing exhibited slightly higher current draw under Android 17. However, the differences are relatively small and had little impact on the overall battery endurance measured during the complete benchmark. Overall, the current consumption profile confirms that Android 17 maintains an energy profile comparable to Android 16 while simultaneously delivering improved network performance. Conclusion The benchmark demonstrates that Android 17 represents a mature and efficient evolution of the Android platform. Compared with Android 16, Android 17 delivers: A higher average download throughput Higher maximum download throughput Lower network latency Stable gaming performance Excellent multimedia quality Reliable SMS performance Stable battery life Perhaps the most significant finding is that these performance improvements are achieved without increasing power consumption or compromising battery endurance, highlighting the efficiency gains introduced by Android 17. For mobile operators, device manufacturers and certification laboratories, the results confirm that Android 17 provides measurable improvements in user experience while maintaining the stability expected from a major operating system release. Disclaimer: Testing was performed between 15th July and 30th of July 2026 on a live UK network. Results may vary depending on network, device, location and other environmental conditions. About SmartViser viSer Neo SmartViser's viSer Neo is a comprehensive active test automation solution designed to evaluate the real Quality of Experience (QoE) delivered by smartphones and mobile networks. Supporting both Android and iOS devices, viSer Neo automates end-to-end testing of voice, messaging, web browsing, video streaming, gaming, battery performance and network connectivity while simultaneously collecting more than 100 network, radio and application KPIs. By replacing manual testing with fully automated, repeatable workflows, viSer Neo enables mobile operators, device manufacturers, chipset vendors, regulators and certification laboratories to accelerate validation, detect regressions earlier and benchmark devices under consistent real-world conditions. One of viSer Neo's key differentiators is its ability to correlate radio-layer measurements, device performance metrics and application Quality of Experience within a single automated test campaign, providing engineers with deeper insight into the root causes of performance variations. All charts, dashboards and benchmark visualisations presented in this report were generated using SmartViser's Viser Web Services (VWS) Analytics Studio. VWS Analytics Studio provides an intuitive web-based analytics platform that transforms the rich dataset collected by viSer Neo into interactive dashboards, detailed KPI visualisations, and comprehensive benchmark reports. Engineers can explore hundreds of network, device and application metrics, compare multiple devices or software versions, identify trends over time, and rapidly investigate performance anomalies. By combining automated testing with powerful analytics, SmartViser delivers a complete end-to-end solution—from test execution through to actionable insights—helping organisations make informed decisions based on objective, repeatable measurements. Get the latest news from SmartViser. Make sure to subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter and follow us on LinkedIn. Susie Siouti is the Chief Commercial Officer for SmartViser helping organisations in the Telecommunications industry offer superior end-user quality of experience and service with the introduction of innovative test automation products. Susie has 20 years of experience in the Telecoms industry and in that time has led teams across the world mainly in Testing and Compliance. Holding an MBA from Henley Business School brings a diverse set of skills and expertise, including business acumen, strategic thinking, financial management, sales and marketing expertise, leadership, and innovation. Susie joined SmartViser in 2016, is part of the internal steering committee, responsible for developing and implementing the company's commercial strategy and encouraging a customer-centric culture. The main mission is to help organizations to create value by offering better quality products and services by improving operational efficiency and innovation.

Rennes, France – 29 October 2026 – SmartViser SAS, a specialist in automated testing and quality assurance for mobile networks and devices, today announced that ANRITSU CORPORATION has completed the acquisition of additional SmartViser shares. As of 27 October 2026, SmartViser has become a consolidated subsidiary of Anritsu. The transaction follows Anritsu’s announcement of 31 March 2026 and builds on a relationship that began in March 2025, when Anritsu acquired an initial 32.72% stake in SmartViser. Since then, the two companies have worked together on joint customer engagements while SmartViser has maintained its operational independence. Building on a proven partnership SmartViser provides automated test solutions to mobile network operators, device manufacturers, and enterprises. Its viSer portfolio covers performance evaluation of mobile networks and devices, functional testing, quality-of-experience monitoring, and testing for compliance with the EU smartphone and tablet energy labelling regulation (EEI – Energy Efficiency Index). Joining the Anritsu Group allows SmartViser to bring its test automation and efficiency expertise to a global customer base, combined with Anritsu’s advanced telecommunications test solutions. Together, the companies will address growing demand beyond the smartphone market, including private networks, mission-critical communications (MCX), and the automotive sector. Continuity for customers and partners SmartViser will continue to operate from its headquarters in Rennes, with its existing team, products and customer commitments unchanged. Customers will benefit from greater scale, broader global reach, and an expanded combined solution roadmap. Gilles Ricordel CEO of SmartViser highlighted “Joining the Anritsu Group is a major milestone for SmartViser. Since 2025, our partnership has shown how well our test automation expertise complements Anritsu’s world-class test solutions. With Anritsu’s global reach behind us, we can bring our technology to more operators, device makers and industries, from mission-critical communications and private networks to automotive, and do it faster.” Together, SmartViser and Anritsu aim to contribute to a carbon neutral and smart society. Learn more about Anritsu You can find more information about SmartViser and its innovative software on the Web at www.smartviser.com Press Contact and General Information SmartViser Susie Siouti Chief Commercial Officer info@smartviser.com

Android 15 vs Android 16: Real-World Benchmarks on the Pixel 8a with SmartViser’s Viser Neo At SmartViser, we prioritise rigorous testing with our Viser Neo automation platform whenever a new Android release arrives. Each upgrade introduces new features, refinements, and potential optimisations—but the real question is: do they make a measurable difference in end-user experience? Using our Viser Neo active test automation platform, we benchmarked Android 15 (“Vanilla Ice Cream”) against Android 16 (“Baklava”) on the Google Pixel 8a. Our tests focused on the areas most relevant to users: battery life, gaming, web performance, data throughput, and streaming efficiency. To ensure fairness, both devices were set up under strictly controlled conditions: automatic brightness was disabled, volume levels were aligned, and all battery power-saving features were switched off. This guarantees that results reflect the OS performance itself, not environmental inconsistencies. Feature Differences: Android 15 vs Android 16 Android 15 Highlights Privacy & Security: Theft Detection Lock, Private Space, stronger authentication. Multitasking: Partial screen sharing, app pair shortcuts for foldables/tablets. Notifications: Notification Cooldown to limit repetitive alerts. Media & Developer Tools: HDR image format support, predictive back gesture, improved app archiving. Android 16 Enhancements Material 3 Expressive UI: Richer animations, dynamic colors, blur effects. Notifications: Live Updates, adaptive progress-based alerts. Desktop Multitasking Mode: Early implementation for tablets and large screens. Security & Privacy: Advanced Protection, USB port blocking, offline lock, enhanced Health Connect API. Audio/Media: Auracast audio sharing, APV codec for high-quality video, integrated photo picker with cloud services. Performance & Dev Tools: Enforced adaptive apps, improved scheduling, and vertical text support. Category Android 15 Android 16 UI & Design Material You refinements Material 3: Expressive animations, color, blur effects Notifications Notification cooldown Live Updates, progress notifications, bundling, cooldowns Multitasking App pairs, partial screen sharing Desktop mode (tablet), adaptive apps support Media & Pickers HDR support Embedded photo picker with cloud integration Security & Privacy Theft detection, private space Advanced Protection, USB/blocking, battery health tools Audio/Video APV codec, Auracast audio sharing Health Data Integration FHIR support in Health Connect Performance & Dev Tools App archiving, ART improvements Compatibility mode, efficient scheduling Test Environment Validation Before diving into performance benchmarks, it’s critical to ensure both Android 15 and Android 16 were tested under identical and controlled conditions. Using Viser Neo, we validated the test environment and recorded the following baseline parameters: Volume (Voice Call): Both OS versions were set to an average level of 5. Brightness: Both maintained the same average brightness setting of 11, with automatic brightness disabled. Volume (Music): Both set to the same maximum level of 6. These consistent settings confirm that differences observed in later benchmarks—whether in battery performance, gaming, web performance, data throughput, or streaming—can be attributed to the OS changes rather than test setup inconsistencies. Web Browsing Performance To evaluate real-world browsing speed, we tested multiple websites and measured Interactive loading time using Viser Neo. Results showed: Average Loading Time: Android 15 – 492 ms, Android 16 – 484 ms Minimum Loading Time: Android 15 – 80 ms, Android 16 – 70 ms Maximum Loading Time: Android 15 – 4106 ms, Android 16 – 4388 ms Overall, both OS versions delivered near-identical browsing performance, with Android 16 showing a slight advantage in average and minimum loading times. The higher maximum value on Android 16 suggests that occasional page load spikes still occur, likely influenced by network or rendering variations rather than core OS changes. These findings indicate that end users moving from Android 15 to Android 16 are unlikely to notice significant differences in day-to-day browsing speed. Data Performance Using Viser Neo, we benchmarked HTTP download and upload throughput to assess raw data performance under controlled conditions. The average results were: Average Download Throughput: Android 15 – 46.93 Mbps, Android 16 – 42.89 Mbps Average Upload Throughput: Android 15 – 22.37 Mbps, Android 16 – 21.57 Mbps In both upload and download, Android 15 slightly outperformed Android 16, though the differences are small enough that most users may not notice in everyday tasks such as web browsing, social media uploads, or streaming. These results could be influenced by subtle differences in network stack behaviour or background OS processes in Android 16. Battery Performance To simulate a typical day of user activity, we ran continuous mixed-use scenarios including gaming, browsing, streaming, file transfers, and idle time. Both Android versions were tested under identical conditions with all power-saving features disabled. Battery Life: Android 15 – 17h 13m 08s Android 16 – 17h 13m 11s The results show no meaningful difference in endurance, with both versions performing almost identically. Current Consumption (per activity): Gaming (WebGL) remained the most demanding activity, averaging around -1350 mA on both OS versions. Other tasks such as web browsing, video streaming, HTTP upload/download, and local playback showed similar consumption across Android 15 and 16, confirming stable energy profiles. Battery Temperature: Average temperature on Android 15: 25.9°C Average temperature on Android 16: 26.2°C Both showed consistent thermal management patterns, with Android 16 running fractionally warmer but without significant deviation. Takeaway: Battery endurance, consumption distribution, and thermal stability remain consistent between Android 15 and 16. Users upgrading should not expect gains or losses in daily longevity, which highlights the maturity of Google’s power optimization across Android releases. Gaming Performance Gaming remains one of the most demanding use cases, so we tested WebGL-based graphics performance to measure frames per second (FPS). Average FPS: Android 15 – 52 FPS, Android 16 – 48 FPS Minimum FPS: Android 15 – 42 FPS, Android 16 – 35 FPS Maximum FPS: Android 15 – 62 FPS, Android 16 – 61 FPS While both OS versions delivered a smooth experience, Android 15 consistently achieved slightly higher frame rates across all measurements. On Android 16, frame rates dipped more significantly at the lower end (minimum FPS), which could result in occasional drops in fluidity during demanding gaming sessions. This suggests that while Android 16 introduces new system-level features and UI improvements, its graphics pipeline may still require further optimisation for high-performance gaming. For most casual users, the difference will be marginal, but heavy gamers may notice Android 15 running a touch smoother under intensive loads. Streaming Performance For video streaming, we measured streaming efficiency, representing how consistently data was delivered and rendered without stalling or buffering. Average Efficiency: Android 15 – 99.9%, Android 16 – 99.8% Minimum Efficiency: Both Android 15 and 16 – 99.7% Maximum Efficiency: Both Android 15 and 16 – 99.9% These near-perfect results show that both OS versions handle video streaming seamlessly, with no meaningful difference between Android 15 and Android 16. End users should expect smooth playback, stable buffering, and no visible degradation when upgrading. Conclusion & Recommendation Our benchmarking of Android 15 vs Android 16 on the Google Pixel 8a, using SmartViser’s Viser Neo test automation, shows that the two operating systems deliver a very similar end-user experience under controlled lab conditions. Battery Life & Thermal Stability: Both OS versions lasted over 17 hours, with almost identical current consumption across usage scenarios. Temperature remained stable, with Android 16 only marginally warmer on average. Web Browsing: Both OS versions were highly comparable, with Android 16 showing a slight edge in average and minimum loading times, though occasional load spikes still occur. Data Performance: Android 15 recorded slightly higher upload and download throughput, but the difference is small and unlikely to impact real-world user experience. Gaming: Android 15 achieved higher average and minimum FPS, making it the better performer for intensive gaming. Android 16 is smooth for casual play but may require further optimisation for demanding titles. Streaming Efficiency: Both versions delivered near-perfect performance (≈100%), ensuring smooth and reliable video playback. SmartViser’s Take For end users, upgrading to Android 16 will not drastically change performance in key areas like battery life, browsing, streaming, or daily app usage. The main improvements of Android 16 lie in new features, UI refinements, and enhanced security tools rather than raw performance gains. If you are a heavy gamer, Android 15 may still feel marginally smoother, but most other users will not notice a difference. If you value security, privacy, and new functionality, Android 16 is the clear choice, offering features like Advanced Protection, improved multitasking, and Material 3 UI updates. Ultimately, the upgrade decision comes down to whether users prioritise stability and slightly better gaming on Android 15, or new features and improved system-level protections on Android 16. At SmartViser, our role is to ensure these insights are backed by real measurements under repeatable conditions, helping the industry and end-users alike make informed choices. About SmartViser’s Viser Neo All benchmarks in this study were conducted using SmartViser’s Viser Neo test automation solution. Viser Neo enables fully automated, repeatable, and reliable performance testing across any device—regardless of operating system, chipset, model, or brand. This flexibility allows us to deliver unbiased insights and validate real-world end-user experience across a wide range of scenarios. With Viser Neo, manufacturers, operators, and enterprises can accelerate device benchmarking, compare OS upgrades, and ensure that every change delivers measurable value to end users. Susie Siouti is the Chief Commercial Officer for SmartViser helping organisations in the Telecommunications industry offer superior end-user quality of experience and service with the introduction of innovative test automation products. Susie has 20 years of experience in the Telecoms industry and in that time has led teams across the world mainly in Testing and Compliance. Holding an MBA from Henley Business School brings a diverse set of skills and expertise, including business acumen, strategic thinking, financial management, sales and marketing expertise, leadership, and innovation. Susie joined SmartViser in 2016, is part of the internal steering committee, responsible for developing and implementing the company's commercial strategy and encouraging a customer-centric culture. The main mission is to help organizations to create value by offering better quality products and services by improving operational efficiency and innovation.

SmartViser delivers test automation for operators, OEMs & mission-critical organizations, optimizing testing, QoE, coverage & cost. Innovative Test Automation and Active & Passive Network Monitoring Products and Solutions Covering connectivity, networks, device assurance, non-terrestrial and mission-critical testing for both public & private networks. Talk to an expert Learn what's new Arrange a free trial Discover our Voice Quality benchmark of flagship devices. Get the Report Our mission? Help you release products and services in the market on budget and on time with superior end-user experience and quality Save time Accelerate time to market Increase productivity Optimise testing time by an average of 75% Automate time-consuming and repeatable tests Improve quality Increase test capacity and coverage Run 24/7 testing campaigns Streamline testing processes Test more and smart Reduce costs 1/10th of the cost versus manual testing No additional hardware No complex setup Simple standalone solution Optimise QoE Quickly identify weaknesses with user experience Test as an end-user Get actionable and powerful analytics on results Gain your competitive advantage Press Release SmartViser announces a significant milestone in its strategic development, with Anritsu acquiring an additional 18.28% of SmartViser’s shares, bringing its total shareholding to 51%. Learn More Meet SmartViser at these upcoming events More events Our solutions Accelerate development and ensure performance with powerful intelligence insights Audio MOS Learn more Device validation Learn more 5G Test Automation Learn more Battery Energy Labelling Learn more Quality of Experience Learn more PTT Performance Learn more Battery Testing Learn more Talk to an expert Learn what's new Arrange a free trial Our testing and consulting services Test as a Service (TaaS) Learn more SFR Test House Learn more EEI Testing Learn more Consultancy Learn more Field Trials / Live Network Testing Learn more ViserMark Learn more They trust us "All the elements we needed to automate our tests were successfully brought together with SmartViser, the support and the test solution. We have doubled our testing load and halved the testing time. We have both won on both sides!" Testing and Validation Team FRENCH OPERATOR View success stories View More

Attend SmartViser events to explore test automation trends, share knowledge & connect with industry leaders and experts. SmartViser Events & Conferences Explore upcoming 2026 events and conferences featuring SmartViser's innovative solutions. SmartViser are showcasing test automation solutions at two events very soon. Don't miss the opportunity to witness firsthand the groundbreaking developments shaping this industry's future. Our team of experts will be able to answer any questions to help you find out what you need to succeed in deploying 5G services and devices and help optimise and simplify the everyday life of mobile device test teams of all sizes and complexities. We look forward to meeting with you soon! Meet SmartViser at these upcoming events MVNO Nation Europe 2026, 3–5 November, Alicante Colloque AGURRE 2026, 19 November, Paris Book a meeting Discover the SmartViser events you may have missed SmartViser was proud to participate in Critical Communications World (CCW) 2026 in London, the leading global event for mission-critical communications professionals. During the event, SmartViser showcased its comprehensive portfolio of MCX testing and monitoring solutions, designed to maximise the performance and reliability of mission-critical networks throughout their lifecycle. As demand for dependable MCX services continued to grow, SmartViser demonstrated solutions that enabled organisations to: Validate network readiness before deployment Continuously monitor network performance and service stability Measure key MCX KPIs, including PTT Access Time, Mouth-to-Ear latency, Audio Quality (MOS), service availability, and call performance Attendees also discovered how SmartViser’s technologies supported real-world mission-critical operations through the ACMOSS use case, where the viSerTempo solution helped monitor and ensure the performance of France’s Future Radio Network (RRF). In addition, SmartViser was honoured to be selected for two Tech Tours at CCW 2026, recognising the company’s innovation and expertise in the critical communications sector. Read the highlights SmartViser, together with its partner Anritsu, was pleased to participate and exhibit at the Third Stage of Tour de France des Ports 2026 — a unique event dedicated to demonstrating real-world use cases of 5G Private Networks. This initiative highlighted the transformative benefits of 5G Private Networks. From SmartViser’s side, cutting-edge innovations for service assurance were showcased using real devices. With the growing importance of private mobile networks, businesses needed the right management, diagnosis, and analysis solutions to: Ensure compliance with critical KPIs Provide business units with clear visibility into service levels Together, Anritsu Service Assurance and SmartViser demonstrated a solution that was: ✔ Independent of the underlying technologies ✔ Highly customizable ✔ Open and adaptable ✔ Providing true end-to-end visibility — from network infrastructure to user experience monitoring The solution was demonstrated live on the infrastructure deployed by Invenio Techs, supporting the various port use cases highlighted during the event. Learn more about viSer SmartViser attended MWC 2026 in Barcelona, where we showcased our latest innovations in test automation and network performance monitoring. At our stand visitors experienced live demonstrations and real-time analytics, including continuous 24/7 monitoring of Spain’s mobile networks, highlighting real-world performance across different conditions. We also presented our end-to-end approach to network assurance, combining active and passive monitoring to deliver: ✔ Accurate, real-world performance insights ✔ Actionable KPIs across public, private, and mission-critical networks ✔ True visibility of user experience and network behaviour MWC 2026 was a great opportunity to connect with the ecosystem and demonstrate how SmartViser enables operators and service providers to validate performance, detect issues early, and ensure reliable connectivity at scale. MWC 2026 Reflections SmartViser was pleased to attend CES 2026 alongside our partner Anritsu. Our CTO, Xavier Frère, and CCO, Susie Siouti, represented the company at the Anritsu booth in the LVCC West Hall (Booth #6267). During the event, we supported live demonstrations of end-to-end (E2E) Connectivity Testing, featuring SmartViser’s signaling and protocol monitoring solution to assess communication quality for connected cars, verify key network KPIs, and validate V2N connectivity. CES 2026 provided a great opportunity to demonstrate how SmartViser and Anritsu are advancing connected mobility through innovative testing solutions and real-time network insights. Learn more about Anritsu's showcase In October 2025 , SmartViser, together with partner Anritsu, took part in the Tour de France des Ports , an event dedicated to demonstrating real-world 5G Private Network use cases. The initiative highlighted the transformative benefits of 5G Private Networks, where we presented our latest service assurance innovations using real devices. With private mobile networks gaining importance, businesses need effective management, diagnostic, and analysis tools to ensure KPI compliance and provide clear visibility on service levels. Together, Anritsu Service Assurance and SmartViser offered a solution that is: ✔ Independent of underlying technologies ✔ Highly customizable ✔ Open and adaptable ✔ Capable of delivering true end-to-end visibility — from network infrastructure to user experience Our solution was demonstrated live on the infrastructure deployed by Invenio Techs to support the port use cases featured during the event. Learn more about viSer SmartViser was proud to join over 109,000 industry leaders at Mobile World Congress 2025 in Barcelona , where AI, 5G, and non-terrestrial connectivity took center stage. We launched Viser Temp.o and Viser Mate.o for automated network monitoring, and expanded Viser Neo+ with advanced analytics and mission-critical KPI support. Our demos included speech quality testing (VoNR, VoLTE, OTT), energy labelling compliance, and real-device QoE assessments—showcasing our commitment to smarter, more reliable telecom testing. MWC25 confirmed AI’s transformative role in telecom, and we’re excited to drive that change. Missed us? Let’s connect for a demo. Learn the key insights SmartViser, together with its partner Anritsu, was excited to participate and exhibit at the Tour de France des Ports — a unique event dedicated to demonstrating real-world use cases of 5G Private Networks. 📍 The second stop took place on February 10 & 11 at the Palais du Commerce et de la Mer in Toulon. This initiative highlighted the transformative benefits of 5G Private Networks. From SmartViser’s side, cutting-edge innovations for service assurance were showcased using real devices. With the growing importance of private mobile networks, businesses needed the right management, diagnosis, and analysis solutions to: Ensure compliance with critical KPIs Provide business units with clear visibility into service levels Together, Anritsu Service Assurance and SmartViser demonstrated a solution that was: ✔ Independent of the underlying technologies ✔ Highly customizable ✔ Open and adaptable ✔ Providing true end-to-end visibility — from network infrastructure to user experience monitoring The solution was demonstrated live on the infrastructure deployed by Invenio Techs, supporting the various port use cases highlighted during the event. Learn more about viSer SmartViser attended GITEX GLOBAL 2025 in Dubai from 13–17 October at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Our Regional Sales Manager, Constantinos Panayiotou, was on-site meeting partners and visitors. We showcased how SmartViser’s viSer test automation and monitoring platform supports: 🟢 Mobile Network Operators 🟢 Smartphone manufacturers 🟢 Mission-critical and private networks 🟢 Automotive industries With SmartViser test automation, organisations can: ✅ Speed up device and network validation from lab to field ✅ Automate regression and certification at scale ✅ Continuously monitor QoE/QoS for stronger service assurance ✅ Orchestrate remote testing anytime, anywhere Learn more about viSer SmartViser was proud to exhibit at TCCA Critical Communications World 2025 and to take part in the GCF/TCCA Workshop on June 20, reinforcing our commitment to mission-critical communications standards. At CCW, we showcased solutions to boost the performance and reliability of Business and Mission Critical (MCX) networks, with real-world use cases for MCX PTT, data, video, and call services. Our highlights: ✅ Active Testing – Pre-launch troubleshooting and validation to ensure readiness. ✅ Network Monitoring – Continuous service tracking for stability, coverage, and real-time performance. We’re proud to support the future of critical communications with smarter, more reliable testing. Missed us at CCW? Let’s connect Learn the key insights Want help or have a question? Get in touch OUR RESOURCES 6G Blog Learn about the benefits and challenges of 6G. Know more Video Overview Want to see what viSer can do? Check the video! Watch the video Success Stories Discover our main success stories with Telecoms and other industries. Know more Latest News Want to meet us? Discover the events we are attending and exhibiting at. Know more

SmartViser works with media to optimise smartphone reviews using test automation, reducing test cycles and improving data quality. Media Success Story We work with many media and publication organisations that provide up-to-date smartphone reviews and information on mobile brands and developments. Learn how we have helped one organisation to introduce a full test automation solution MOVING FROM A SEMI-AUTOMATION TO A FULLY AUTOMATED TESTING SOLUTION MEDIA ORGANISATION DEVICE TESTING TEAM AUTOMATING BATTERY LIFE TESTING FOR MORE ACCURATE MOBILE REVIEWS CHALLENGES: Battery life testing procedures run in a semi-automatic manner All testing was performed manually during office hours SOLUTION: SmartViser used viSer as a Test Automation solution installed onsite in testing labs Deployment of a fully automated mobile testing solution for testing the battery life of smartphones Customised testing procedures that can be precisely defined to meet dynamic changes in technology RESULTS: Shorten Test Times Shorten testing cycles enable mobile reviews to be released to the readership faster than ever before Improved Data Quality Greater emphasis on quality of information gained from improved accuracy of test results Reliable, Efficient and Future Proof Mobile Testing A reliable testing environment for assured accurate results fully comparable with previous test results Added customisation allows for the identification and investigation of abnormalities during testing phases A flexible test automation solution that supports easy adaptation to meet future mobile review requirements Interested in viSer? - Book a Demo More Media Success Stories BENCHMARK TESTING OFFERS HIGHER-QUALITY INSIGHTS FOR SMARTPHONE BUYER GUIDES LEARN MORE >> Testimonials What our customers say about us "All the elements we needed to automate our tests were successfully brought together with SmartViser, the support and the test solution. We have doubled our testing load and halved the testing time. We have both won on both sides!" "Up so far, we’ve always been running our battery life tests in a semi-automatic manner. This meant testing was conducted only during office hours and this took a toll on the time needed to complete each phone review. " GSMArena "All the elements we needed to automate our tests were successfully brought together with SmartViser, the support and the test solution. We have doubled our testing load and halved the testing time. We have both won on both sides!" "We were looking for a solution to measure smartphones battery life in a more realistic way than just having a video played on a loop on the device. SmartViser fully answered this need and provided the most complete solution we ever had. As a result, we now automate 90% of Testing". LES NUMÉRIQUES Want help or have a question? Get in Touch Trusted by