Google released the first public beta of Android 17 last week, giving developers and regular users an early look at the upcoming major update. Although the company has not officially announced the stable release date, it has hinted at a possible launch timeline. Google has also confirmed that the second Android 17 beta will arrive in March.
The first beta mainly includes performance improvements, enhanced camera and media features, support for Versatile Video Coding (VVC), a new loudness management control, and stronger privacy and security options.
Stable Version May Arrive Between April and June
Google has not revealed the exact release date, but the release notes suggest that the stable version of Android 17 could roll out by the end of Q2 2026. The company has labelled the platform release as “26Q2,” indicating availability sometime between April and June.
According to the Android 17 Beta 1 notes, users will get a chance to exit the beta programme without wiping data near the end of the beta cycle in June 2026, which strongly points to a June rollout. Google also confirmed that Android 17 Beta 2 will launch in March 2026. In addition, the company shared a roadmap for Pixel devices — 26Q3 (likely QPR1), 26Q4 (QPR2), and 27Q1 (QPR3). As usual, Pixel smartphones will receive the update first, followed by other brands.
Why the Launch Could Be Earlier
For comparison, Android 16 was launched on June 10 last year. Moving the release schedule earlier would help Google align better with smartphone launch cycles. This would also allow hardware partners to release new devices with the latest Android version pre-installed.
Key Features of the Android 17 Beta
The first Android 17 beta introduces several upgrades, including improved camera and media capabilities, stronger privacy protection, and new connectivity optimisation tools. It also expands companion device profiles and improves permission management.
Additionally, the update adds support for the Versatile Video Coding (VVC) standard and introduces a new loudness management control for improved audio handling.
