The first Android 17 beta has been out for a few days now, but you’d be hard-pressed to find any significant changes over the previous Android 16 QPR3 beta or even the stable release of Android 16 QPR2. This wasn’t a surprise, though. If last year was anything to go by, Android 17’s first release was always supposed to be a developer-focused API and SDK release to help prepare and adapt apps for some new capabilities, while Android 17 QPR1 (coming around August or September 2026, along with the Pixel 11) would bring the major user-facing features and enhancements.
So, if you think that Android 17 will be a lackluster update, strap in because we’re in for a ride that’ll go in crescendo over the whole year, just like Android 16 did. And in case you’re still dubious, here is a list of some of my favorite still-under-development Android 17 features that we expect to land at some point this year.