Android 17: Release Date, Features and Eligible Phones

Now that the mud is beginning to decide on Android 16, particularly for these big-brand flagship telephones with early entry to the software program, it’s time to begin wanting ahead to all we will anticipate from Google’s subsequent main OS launch. To search out out what we learn about Android 17 and its upcoming options, you’re in the suitable place.

Though there’s all the time going to be a debate between iPhone and Android customers over which ecosystem boasts the superior working system, the concept that iOS is leagues forward of Android not tracks in 2026. We’ve seen Apple undertake loads of options that Android customers have loved for years, together with the very useful name screening which lets AI discipline rip-off requires you.

Android 16 launched much more spectacular options, together with the much-discussed Desktop Mode. Taking inspiration from Samsung’s DeX software program, Desktop Mode permits you to hook up your Android telephone to a monitor and use it very similar to a Chromebook, with resizable home windows and apps for a little bit of productiveness once you don’t have a laptop computer at hand.

It’s been nice to see how Android 16 can breathe new life into older telephones, and now we’re simply as wanting to see how Android 17 may increase the bar once more. Listed below are all of the leaks, rumours and beta particulars surrounding Android 17, in addition to key details about whether or not your telephone is eligible and when you’ll be able to anticipate to obtain it.

Foundry

When will Android 17 be launched?

On the time of writing (April), Google has but to announce a launch date for the ultimate construct of Android 17, but when the corporate needs to stay to a roughly annual replace cycle, then June or July could be a secure guess.

Nevertheless, Android 17 has been accessible in its beta kind for just a few months now, having launched in early February.

It’s additionally value mentioning that even when Google does announce a launch date for the ultimate construct of Android 17, it doesn’t essentially imply that your telephone will get that improve on the identical day. Manufacturers must optimise the OS to suit their overlays, equivalent to Samsung’s One UI or OnePlus’ OxygenOS.

For context, listed here are the discharge dates for earlier Android builds:

• Android 16 – June 2025
• Android 15 – September 2024
• Android 14 – October 2023
• Android 13 – August 2022
• Android 12 – October 2021

Supply: Android Builders Weblog

Which telephones are getting Android 17?

As with every new Android launch, whereas the most recent and best telephones are shoo-ins to obtain the brand new software program, a number of older telephones aren’t so fortunate. You possibly can learn our in depth breakdown right here, however for a fast look as to which telephones from the large manufacturers are lined, right here’s what you might want to know.

Beginning with Google’s own-brand of Pixel telephones, not solely can we anticipate the upcoming Pixel 11 units to be the primary of their type to launch with Android 17 proper out of the field, however each mainline Pixel telephone relationship again to the Pixel 6 line-up will get the replace sooner or later. Sadly which means that anybody utilizing a Pixel 5 and beneath might want to decide up a more moderen telephone to remain within the software program loop.

Chris Martin / Foundy

For Samsung Galaxy customers, anybody who nonetheless has a handset from the S22 line-up or older ought to improve or danger having your telephone extensive open to software program bugs and safety exploits. Fortunately, you gained’t must spend an excessive amount of as a number of Samsung’s finances telephones, together with previous-gen picks such because the Galaxy A16 and the Galaxy A36, are eligible.

Simply as with Samsung, there’s a very good quantity of selection in the case of the Xiaomi telephones nonetheless being supported. For example, if you happen to’re nonetheless rocking 2023’s Xiaomi 13T, you gained’t must improve your telephone for a minimum of one other yr, and the identical goes for customers of the Poco F6 vary.

Issues are a bit extra dicey with Honor because it appears as if the corporate’s 2023 flagship, the Honor Magic 5 Professional, is not going to be included as a part of the Android 17 cycle, which is a troublesome capsule to swallow provided that the telephone price round £950 on the time of launch, and it’s now being outlived by mid-range telephones which are solely half that value.

It’s an identical state of affairs for anybody who adopted the high-end Oppo Discover X6 Professional when it first got here out, as that flagship from just some years again is not going to be included within the present replace cycle. Anybody sporting a Discover X7 and above will probably be superb although.

Luke Baker

Lastly, OnePlus customers have a bit extra leeway because it’s solely the OnePlus 10 Professional (2022) and beneath that gained’t be included, so anybody utilizing a OnePlus 11 and above can anticipate to see the Android 17 replace within the close to future.

Which new options will we see in Android 17?

Precedence Charging

Simply probably the most eye-catching characteristic for individuals who are sick of getting to attend round for his or her telephone to cost (we see you Samsung and Google followers), Precedence Charging seems set to hurry issues up immensely.

In line with the third Android 17 beta, Precedence Charging works by pausing any background operations that may in any other case hold the CPU busy, as a substitute focusing all of that vitality into absorbing accessible energy as shortly as potential.

Martyn Casserly

The characteristic supposedly requires a telephone that may cost at speeds of 30W or extra to work, but it surely’s an attention-grabbing idea and we’re wanting to see how a lot of a distinction it will probably make once you’re attempting to hurry out the door and there’s little or no time for a top-up. 

Supply: Android Authority

Bubbles

Android customers will already be acquainted with the bubbles that may seem off to the aspect when sure apps, equivalent to Fb Messenger, are minimised. It’s an amazing characteristic, and one which doesn’t actually have a real equal on iOS, and it now appears as if Google is trying to develop its capabilities.

Underneath this revamped system, apps equivalent to Google Calendar could be minimised as a bubble to be able to shortly check out your schedule with out ever needing to shut the primary app that’s open.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Supply: Android Authority

Contact Picker

Don’t you simply hate it when a brand new app asks for whole entry to your tackle guide and all the delicate contact info that goes with it? Nicely, Google has listened to the outcry and it’s implementing a Contact Picker system into Android 17.

What the characteristic can do is offer you a extra customisable contact that permits you to specify which components of your tackle guide could be accessed by an app. As a way to stop customers from mechanically handing over tons of information to massive manufacturers, this can be a massive win, and it feels paying homage to Apple’s ‘Ask App To not Monitor’ characteristic, which stops corporations from retaining tabs on you after which utilizing that info to ship focused commercials.

Wi-Fi/Cell Information separation

This can be a minor tweak however one which’s positive to be appreciated by a handful of customers (together with our very personal Managing Editor). For just a few years now, management of the Wi-Fi connection and cell information of your Pixel handset has been relegated to a single button on the dashboard, however Google is trying to divide the 2 elements in Android 17.

Chris Martin / Foundry

Now, there are two separate buttons, one for Wi-Fi and one for cell information, which makes it quite a bit simpler to regulate how your telephone connects to the web, relying on the place you’re. It additionally makes a giant distinction to battery life as you’ll be able to shortly cease your telephone from trying to find a Wi-Fi connection when it’s not wanted.

That’s all we all know to this point about Android 17, however hold checking again as we’ll replace the web page with extra info because it seems.