Android Studio Panda 1 - Features, Release Notes & What’s New in 2026
Android Studio Panda 1 (version 2025.3.1) is the latest stable release of Google’s official IDE for Android development - focused on developer productivity, smarter tooling, simplified build systems, and AI-assisted workflows. This update marks a significant step forward from previous releases, bringing improvements that benefit both beginners and seasoned Android developers alike.
What Is Android Studio Panda 1?
Android Studio Panda 1 is part of Google’s evolving release cycle that uses animal codenames alphabetically. Panda 1 succeeds prior versions by introducing modern tooling enhancements, improved performance, and better integration with AI and build tools. It became available in the stable channel on February 10, 2026.
This release focuses on improving daily productivity and stability while adding notable new capabilities. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new and why it matters:
Top Features & Improvements in Panda 1
1. Simplified JDK Management
One of the most practical improvements is the simplified JDK handling. Android Studio now uses Gradle Daemon JVM criteria to auto-detect or download a compatible JDK for your project. This removes many frustrations around manual JDK setup errors and ensures:
- Fewer setup failures when importing or building projects
- Consistent JDK selection across IDE and command line builds
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Smoother onboarding for new developers or team members
This improves productivity right from project creation to execution.
2. AI-Driven Project Support
Android Studio Panda builds on earlier AI integration efforts. Developers can now leverage AI tools to:
- Accelerate project scaffolding: Generate entire app templates from simple ideas
- Build multi-screen or API-driven apps in minutes
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Explore generative features for UI and backend integration
AI features continue evolving, powering faster prototyping and reducing boilerplate coding time.
3. Compose Preview Screenshot Testing
Compose UI developers get a powerful testing tool that:
- Generates visual HTML reports for your UI
- Helps catch UI regressions early
- Makes it easier to ensure consistent design across builds
This bridges the gap between design and automated testing, especially for Jetpack Compose builders.
4. LeakCanary Integration in Profiler
Memory leaks are a common challenge during app development. Panda 1 directly integrates LeakCanary inside the built-in Android Profiler so you can:
- Analyze memory leaks on your development machine
- Quickly jump from a leak trace to the relevant source code
- Speed up debugging and reduce performance issues
By bringing this tool directly into the IDE, Panda 1 cuts down the time needed to identify and fix leaks.
Why Update to Panda 1?
Here’s why developers should consider upgrading:
🔸 Better build experience: Simplified JDK and Gradle improvements reduce common build errors.
🔸 AI enhancements: Give your workflow a productivity boost with AI assistance.
🔸 Improved UI tooling: Screenshot testing and profiler upgrades help catch issues sooner.
🔸 Stable and polished: Panda 1 is now stable, with multiple patches and fixes improving reliability.
Bug Fixes and Stability Updates
Android Studio Panda 1 has also received a series of patches and bug fixes, addressing issues reported by developers like layout preview bugs, device mirroring problems, and build warnings. These steady improvements make the Panda 1 release one of the most reliable versions yet.
Closing Thoughts
Android Studio Panda 1 is a meaningful release that blends smart automation with powerful debugging and performance tools. Whether you're a solo developer or part of a large team, Panda 1 helps streamline workflows, boost productivity, and keep focus on what matters most creating great Android apps. If you haven’t upgraded yet, check Help > Check for Updates in Android Studio — or download the latest installer from the official Android Developers site.
For complete release notes, detailed documentation, and to download Android Studio Panda 1, visit the official Android Developers website: https://developer.android.com/studio