If you’ve been curious about what Google’s next big software update will offer, you’re in the right spot. Android 17, internally codenamed Cinnamon Bun, is set to be one of the most significant upgrades in a while. With a bold visual redesign, smarter AI tools, and tighter security, there’s plenty to explore.
In this guide, we’ll detail every confirmed Android 17 feature, inform you which phones can get the update, and explain what to expect from Samsung, Pixel, and OnePlus. Whether you’re considering upgrading your phone or just want to know what’s coming, this article is for you.
What is Android 17, and when will it be released?
Android 17 is Google’s next major annual update for its mobile operating system. It has API level 37 and follows Android 16, which stabilized in June 2025. Based on this timeline, most industry analysts, including those from Android Authority, BGR, and 9to5Google, predict the stable Android 17 release for June 2026, although Google has only confirmed a “summer” rollout for Pixel devices.
Read this: Top 7 Samsung One UI Features You Should Know About in 2026
The development process has been notably streamlined this time. Google replaced the traditional Developer Preview program with a new Canary release channel, aimed at giving developers a continuous look at new features throughout the year. Beta 4, the last scheduled beta, was released on April 16, 2026, marking the final phase before the stable release.
Keep in mind that when Google rolls out Android 17 for Pixel phones, it doesn’t mean your Samsung or OnePlus will get it on the same day. Each manufacturer needs time to adjust the OS to their software interface—One UI for Samsung and OxygenOS for OnePlus—which usually pushes their updates to Q3 or Q4 of 2026.
Top 7 Android 17 Features You’ll Actually Notice
Material 3 Expressive
The most noticeable change in Android 17 is the introduction of Material 3 Expressive as the default design language across the platform. While Pixel users experienced an early version with Android 16’s quarterly updates, Android 17 will bring it to all compatible devices.
Read this: Samsung One UI 8.5 Eligible Devices List 2026
This update offers dynamic color adjustments, smoother animations, more blur and translucent effects in menus, sliders, and system panels, and a frosted-glass look that gives the interface a more upscale and cohesive feel. This is the biggest visual refresh since Android 12’s Material You, but more refined.
Desktop Mode Gets a Real Upgrade
One of the standout Android 17 features for power users is a greatly enhanced desktop mode. When you connect your phone to an external display, Android 17 provides a PC-like experience with a taskbar, resizable windows, and true multi-window support. This was available in limited form on Pixel devices earlier, but Android 17 delivers the full, polished version to all eligible devices. For anyone who travels for work or wants to use their phone as a productivity center, this is a genuinely useful addition.
Lock Screen Widgets Are Back
Android fans have long asked for the return of lock screen widgets, and Android 17 finally brings them back. The new Hub Mode for the lock screen allows you to add widgets to view useful information at a glance without unlocking your phone, similar to what iPhone users have had since iOS 16. This change may seem small, but it significantly improves daily use.
App Bubbles for True Multitasking
Android 17 introduces App Bubbles, which let you open any app in a floating window that sits above whatever you’re already doing. This is different from split-screen multitasking—bubbles are lightweight, dismissible, and don’t disrupt your current task. Replying to a message, checking a map, or doing a quick search becomes much smoother.
Live Updates: Smarter, Persistent Notifications
If you’ve ever tracked a food delivery or rideshare and had to keep reopening the app to check on it, live updates will be a welcome change. Android 17 adds a new notification template that shows real-time progress on your lock screen, Always-On Display, status bar, and heads-up notifications simultaneously. It works with any app that supports the feature, making real-time tracking a native Android experience.
Gemini AI Integration
Android 17 deepens Google’s Gemini AI integration throughout the OS. This includes smarter notifications, AI-driven widget creation via a new “Create My Widget” tool, and better hands-free task completion. However, the full Gemini Intelligence experience requires a device with at least 12 GB of RAM and support for Gemini Nano v3. Older flagships and most mid-range phones will run Android 17 but may not access all AI features.
Stronger Security and Anti-Theft Tools
Security has seen notable improvements. Android 17 comes with better factory reset protection that creates an anti-theft loop. If someone tries to reset your phone without permission, the device will keep forcing a factory reset until the rightful owner can prove ownership. Additionally, Theft Detection Lock and Remote Lock are now enabled by default on all new Android 17 devices and those upgrading from older versions. The Find Hub’s “Mark as Lost” feature also adds biometric authentication for extra security.
Android 17 Beta: What You Need to Know
The Android 17 beta program started in early February 2026, with four beta builds released before the stable launch. Beta 3, released on March 26, marked the platform’s stability—meaning the core APIs are locked, and app developers can finalize compatibility testing. Beta 4 followed on April 16 as the last scheduled pre-release build.
If you own a Pixel 6 or newer, you can join the Android 17 beta through Google’s official program at android.com/beta. Remember that beta builds are best for secondary devices, as they can have bugs unsuitable for daily use. Beyond Pixel, Motorola has also opened Android 17 beta testing for select Moto Edge and Moto G devices, and brands like OnePlus, Samsung, and Honor are testing early internal builds on their flagship devices.
Eligible Devices for Android 17
Android 17 in Pixel Phones
Google Pixel phones are always the first in line for updates, and Android 17 is no exception. Every Pixel from the Pixel 6 through the Pixel 10 series—including Pixel Fold, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel 9a—is eligible. Users of the Pixel 8, 9, and 10 series benefit from Google’s seven-year software support policy, ensuring they’ll receive updates well beyond Android 17. Note that the Pixel 6 series is on its final major OS update, with support concluding in October 2026.
Ready to try Android 17? Sign up for the Pixel beta at android.com/beta and be among the first to experience Cinnamon Bun before it reaches the masses.
Android 17 in Samsung Phones
Samsung is expected to release Android 17 with its One UI 9 skin, likely starting in late 2026 after the stable Pixel launch. The Galaxy S26 series should be among the first Samsung phones to get the update, alongside the Galaxy S25 and S24 lineups.
Here’s what the Samsung eligibility list looks like based on the brand’s seven-year update promise and current trends:
• Galaxy S Series: S23, S23+, S23 Ultra, S24 (all versions), S25 (all versions), S25 Edge, upcoming S26 series
• Galaxy Z Series: Z Fold5, Z Fold6, Z Fold7, Z Flip5, Z Flip6, Z Flip7
• Galaxy A Series: Recent 2025–2026 models with multi-year update promises
• Galaxy Tab Series: Tab S9 and Tab S10 series
Notably, the Galaxy S22 series is not expected to receive Android 17, as it would exceed Samsung’s published update timeline.
Android 17 in OnePlus Phones
OnePlus will bring Android 17 through its OxygenOS 17 skin. The good news for OnePlus users is that eligibility starts from the OnePlus 11, which launched in 2023. If you own an OnePlus 11, 12, 13, or the latest OnePlus 15, you should receive the update. However, the OnePlus 10 series and older models will not get Android 17.
Read this: OxygenOS 16: The Next Evolution of OnePlus Software
OnePlus has traditionally been faster than other brands in rolling out Android updates, having joined the Android 16 beta program early in 2025. A similar early beta rollout for Android 17 is expected for select OnePlus flagship devices.
What Android 17 Means for Users
For users in the United States, Android 17 provides several improvements of particular relevance. The expanded Quick Share with AirDrop compatibility—originally trialed on Pixels 9 and 10—will roll out to a broader range of Samsung, OnePlus, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Oppo devices later in 2026. This makes file-sharing across platforms much smoother for anyone in mixed iPhone/Android homes or workplaces. The enhanced navigation and Google Maps AI features, including the new Ask Maps function, will also add practical value for those who use their phones for commuting or travel.
Is Android 17 Worth the Excitement?
Android 17 isn’t the kind of release that reinvents the wheel, but it’s a genuinely meaningful step forward. The return of lock screen widgets, a more polished desktop experience, smarter notifications, and deeper AI tools make it one of the more feature-rich Android releases in recent years — especially for users coming from Android 14 or 15.
If your device is on the eligible list, the best move is to bookmark the Android beta program and keep an eye on your manufacturer’s update channel as June 2026 approaches. And if you’re in the market for a new phone and want guaranteed Android 17 support from day one, the Pixel 10 series, Galaxy S25, or OnePlus 13 are all excellent choices with long update windows ahead of them.