Google simply rolled out Android 16, and the replace shall be making its strategy to the broader Android ecosystem over the approaching months. In the event you’ve acquired an eligible Pixel (Pixel 6 and above), you’ll be able to set up Android 16 proper now, and whereas it’s brief on thrilling new options — these are coming later this yr — it brings loads of usability adjustments.
With Android 16 behind us, Google is tough at work on Android 17. Whereas we do not know what options will find yourself within the subsequent iteration of Android, we are able to make a number of guesses — Google omitted options within the steady Android 16 construct that confirmed up within the beta, and there is a good chance that these will find yourself in Android 17.
Android 17 codename
Google would not have dessert codenames — that ended with Android 10 — nevertheless it nonetheless makes use of inner codenames with Android releases. Android 14 was Upside Down Cake, Android 15 was Vanilla Ice Cream, and with Android 16, Google switched again to Baklava, so if it maintains a constant naming scheme, Android 17 will doubtless be one thing round C, so we might get cheesecake or chocolate bar.
This stuff leak effectively prematurely, so we do not have to attend too lengthy to know extra concerning the codename or launch particulars.
Android 17 options
We’re effectively previous the purpose the place new Android variations get groundbreaking options; the purpose with each new model replace is to deliver tweaks to safety and privateness options, and ship usability adjustments that make a distinction in each day use. That mentioned, Google simply showcased a daring new design language with Android 16, dubbed Materials 3 Expressive.
There’s only one drawback — Materials 3 Expressive is not launching till This fall 2025 on Pixels, and meaning different gadgets will miss out on the UI overhaul at the least till Android 17. That’s if producers like Samsung, OPPO, Vivo, and Xiaomi even hassle to combine the design aesthetic.
That wasn’t the case with Materials You on these gadgets; whereas these manufacturers used some options just like the dynamic coloration picker, they broadly retained their distinct visible styling in lieu of the colourful hues of Google’s design. Whereas it could be nice to see a Vivo telephone with a UI just like that of a Pixel, that simply is not going to be attainable.
We must always get a greater concept of the options within the coming weeks, however Android 17 ought to get higher protections in opposition to native web entry and manufacturing unit reset. Google showcased these options this yr, however they did not make it to Android 16, so it is a good guess that they will debut subsequent yr.
Android 17 launch date
Google switched up its Android technique with Android 16; as a substitute of releasing the steady construct on the finish of Q3 or early This fall, it launched the discharge in Q2. Ostensibly, that is to make sure that gadgets launching within the fall — together with the Pixel 10 and Galaxy Z Fold 7 — debut with the most recent Android construct as a substitute of getting the replace later within the yr.
Along with that, Google is releasing a secondary Android replace that may come out in This fall, dubbed the minor launch. It is clear that that is the trail the search large is taking with Android generally, and we should always see preliminary Android 17 builds someday within the month of November 2025. That was the case final yr with Android 16, and there is no motive to recommend Google would alter its timeline with Android 17.
Clearly, we’re mild on particulars concerning Android 17 in the intervening time, however that may change over the approaching weeks as Google particulars its plans.