Android 17: Release Date, New Features & Eligible Phones

Google simply had its Android-focused I/O occasion and with it, lastly pulled again the curtain on what we are able to count on to see with the model’s subsequent huge cell replace: Android 17. Though there are nonetheless a couple of lingering questions that most likely gained’t be answered till we get an opportunity to check out Android 17 for ourselves, the early sense is that this may very well be a serious leap ahead for Google’s platform, with a number of options which are positive to make iPhone customers jealous.

In case you’ve been following our information protection over the previous couple of months then you definitely’ll know that the hearsay mill and numerous beta assessments have churned out countless tidbits of data over what Android 17 would possibly entail, and whereas this meant that a few of the shock was taken out of the primary occasion, there are a couple of new options which have caught us off guard, and most of them are associated to AI.

It’s no actual secret to anybody that Google is main the cost proper now in terms of AI on smartphones, adopted intently by Samsung, whereas Apple is leagues behind. It’s precisely why Apple will supposedly enable its AI mannequin to lean on Gemini from iOS 27 onwards for extra complicated requests, so it is sensible why Google is continuous to double down on Gemini for Android 17.

Nonetheless, for individuals who are on the fence about AI or simply aren’t enamoured by what it brings to the desk, there are many non-AI-led options that Google is implementing in Android 17, so it’s price seeing what they’re and how one can profit from them. Additional on, we additionally focus on when you’ll be able to count on to see Android 17 arrive in your machine.

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Android 17: What’s new?

Gemini Intelligence expands the scope of cell AI

Gemini may be very a lot on the coronary heart of Android 17, and there are tons of recent AI-powered options which are launching underneath the umbrella of Gemini Intelligence, all with the idea of executing multi-step duties in your behalf.

Google confirmed off a handful of examples of Gemini Intelligence in motion, probably the most spectacular of which concerned displaying the AI mannequin a poster for a tasting tour in Costa Rica, after which asking it to search out one thing comparable for a gaggle of six individuals by way of Expedia. Within the demo, Gemini Intelligence was capable of observe down a reserving within the background for a tour that match the invoice, with the ultimate step of merely paying for the reserving itself being supplied as much as the person to manually affirm it.

In one other demo, Google confirmed how Gemini Intelligence could be put to work by way of the Chrome browser because of a devoted summon button subsequent to the tab quantity. Right here, the person requested Gemini to search out and guide close by parking for an occasion that was being checked out within the browser, and it was capable of just do that, all with an understanding of the timings that had been proven on the web page. Similar to earlier than, the one half that the person needed to concern themselves with was the checkout proper on the very finish.

Google additionally confirmed off how Gemini Intelligence may very well be used to shortly fill in additional complicated varieties, resembling these for a flight reserving which could require passport particulars. It’s all slightly spectacular, and if it could possibly work in fairly the identical approach because it’s been demoed then the very nature of how we use our smartphones may very well be about to vary. In any case, who would wish to undergo a laborious reserving course of once more if you happen to may simply ask AI to do it for you?

Credit score: Google

The speech-to-text facet of Gemini can also be getting a serious improve right here, with an replace often called Rambler. Though speech-to-text has existed on smartphones for years now, anybody who’s put the characteristic to the take a look at can seemingly attest to blended outcomes, however Rambler is way extra superior and able to eradicating pauses or filler phrases from the ultimate copy.

It may additionally perceive requests inside a sentence, so if you happen to’re making an attempt to make plans with a buddy for Monday however resolve midway via your speech that Wednesday could be extra handy, you’ll be able to ask Gemini to vary the day talked about and Rambler will maintain it. Going one step additional, Rambler can also be able to recognising a number of languages as you converse, so for any multilinguals on the market, you’ll be able to voice your concepts in whichever tongue feels greatest within the second and Rambler will work to accommodate you.

That is precisely the sort of innovation that might lastly make speech-to-text messaging a dependable type of communication, and in a roundabout approach, it will additionally assist to fight the unnecessary scrolling that sometimes occurs after you ship a message to somebody. In case you can keep centered on the duty at hand, whether or not that be cooking or working at your laptop computer, and easily reply to a message solely by way of your voice, then there’s little probability of taking place a doomscrolling rabbit gap.

This might have been included within the above part as it’s powered by Gemini Intelligence, however we wished to focus on it right here as Google’s lacklustre method to widgets (one thing which has been traditionally much better on iOS) may lastly be coming to an finish.

As a way of ending our look forward to Google to develop new widgets, the model has tasked Gemini with doing it on the corporate’s behalf, and permitting the person to place collectively a customized widget based mostly on what they want.

Credit score: Google

Google’s demo confirmed off a couple of templates resembling ‘Markets’ and ‘Each day Transient’ that can assist you construction a brand new widget, however if you happen to’re feeling adventurous, you’ll be able to simply describe what you’re after to Gemini, and the AI will maintain it. The instance Google confirmed right here was the person asking for a countdown widget to their subsequent marathon, which presumably scanned the Google Calendar within the background, nevertheless it took just some seconds for a reliable widget to be put collectively.

Whether or not or not these widgets match the eye-catching aesthetic of iOS widgets is up for debate, however the means to have customized widgets is bound to have Apple followers questioning why they’ll’t do the identical.

As a lot as we love testing the newest smartphones, there’s no denying that whenever you’ve obtained social media apps put in, the temptation to doomscroll could be a bit too nice at instances which is why we’re huge followers of any technique to assist get rid of the exercise. We’ve seen some nice options resembling app timers and focus modes, nevertheless it now seems that Google is trying to mix the very best of all measures into one useful characteristic often called Pause Level.

The best way it really works is that, when you’ve opened an app that’s recognized for its distracting qualities, you’ll be met with a scaled-back UI, imploring you to take a second to breathe and ponder whether or not you actually need to make use of the app in any respect. You’ll even be given an inventory of other, extra intellectually stimulating apps which may serve you higher, resembling Google Play Books.

Credit score: Google

In case you do genuinely want to make use of the app in query then you’ll be able to set a quick timer to make sure that you don’t waste an excessive amount of time with it. The entire thing appears like an amazing addition to the ecosystem – adhering to the much-discussed concept that if you happen to add simply sufficient friction into the combo then individuals shall be much less more likely to spend time on social media.

Recording your response simply obtained simpler

Right here’s one for all of the content material creators on the market. As a result of there’s all the time a endless marketplace for response movies, Google is trying to make the method of filming them a lot simpler than earlier than. With its new Display screen Reactions software program, you’ll be able to display file and movie by way of the selfie digicam concurrently.

The software program will even lower out the background round you with none fuss, so you’ll be able to direct viewers to the main focus of your ire or reward. 

Larger compatibility with AirDrop

We’re nonetheless not fairly over the truth that the Pixel 10 and Samsung Galaxy S26 ranges can obtain information by way of AirDrop given simply how essential the software program has been to Apple’s walled backyard, however its growth has clearly confirmed to be widespread with the Android crowd as Google is now trying to carry extra telephones into the fold with Android 17.

Not solely are telephones from Honor, OnePlus and Xiaomi trying to be included, nevertheless it’s now potential for Android customers to generate a QR code by way of Fast Share which may then be scanned by an iPhone person to obtain a specific file. As a way of breaking down the limitations between Android and iPhone, particularly inside households which have customers of each ecosystems, we’re all for it.

Credit score: Google

Safety enhancements for peace of thoughts

Safety upgrades are pretty commonplace with every new model of Android however there are a couple of notable additions with this newest spherical which are positive to have an effect on every day use. 

For starters, one of many huge points concerning digital safety within the fashionable age is that of unhealthy actors making an attempt to impersonate your financial institution over the telephone. It’s straightforward for much less tech-savvy folks to get caught out however now Google is trying to sort out the issue head-on as Android can converse together with your banking app within the background to search out out if a name is real or not, after which finish the decision earlier than any of your particulars could be extracted. Keep in mind that this software program will solely work with a handful of banks to start with, however right here’s hoping that extra hop on board this system.

The brand new Stay Menace Detection characteristic can let you realize if an put in app is performing in a peculiar approach. If an app has been compromised then you definitely’ll be prompted to uninstall it instantly earlier than it could possibly do any harm.

Customers will even be given extra instruments if their telephone is stolen, because the ‘Mark as misplaced’ characteristic ensures that biometric authentication is required to show off a telephone, and never simply the passcode or PIN.

When will Android 17 be launched?

Whereas Google has but to announce an official launch date for Android 17, we do know that the primary batch of eligible telephones could have the replace put in this summer time.

Nevertheless, Android 17 has been out there in its beta type for a couple of months now, having launched in early February. The complete secure launch is anticipated to launch in June or July 2026.

It’s additionally price 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, resembling Samsung’s One UI or OnePlus’ OxygenOS, however these with a Pixel telephone will get it first (extra particulars on this under).

For context, listed below 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

Which telephones are getting Android 17?

The primary telephones to obtain Android 17 would be the Samsung Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10 ranges, at an unspecified time in the summertime.

As with all new Android launch, whereas the newest and biggest telephones are shoo-ins to obtain the brand new software program, lots of older telephones aren’t so fortunate. You possibly can learn our in depth breakdown right here (and which telephones gained’t get it), however for a fast look as to which telephones from the large manufacturers are coated, right here’s what you might want to know.

Beginning with Google’s own-brand of Pixel telephones, not solely can we count on the upcoming Pixel 11 units to be the primary of their sort to launch with Android 17 proper out of the field, however each mainline Pixel telephone courting again to the Pixel 6 line-up will get the replace sooner or later.

Sadly, which means anybody utilizing a Pixel 5 and under 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 threat having their telephone extensive open to software program bugs and safety exploits. Fortunately, you gained’t should spend an excessive amount of, as lots of Samsung’s price range telephones, together with previous-gen picks such because the Galaxy A16 and the Galaxy A36, are eligible.

Simply as with Samsung, there’s quantity of selection in terms of the Xiaomi telephones nonetheless being supported. As an illustration, if you happen to’re nonetheless rocking 2023’s Xiaomi 13T, you gained’t should improve your telephone for not less than 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 tablet to swallow on condition that the telephone value round £950 on the time of launch, and it’s now being outlived by mid-range telephones which are solely half that worth.

It’s an identical scenario 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 shall be high quality, although.

Luke Baker

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