Google has detailed several new and previously known Android security features that users can expect to roll out this year.

For years, I've ranked and judged Android phones on their specs. Faster chips, bigger batteries, higher megapixels, and larger batteries. However, in 2026, specs no longer mean everything. Even most mid-range phones are now powerful enough for daily use.

The Android 17 update brings several AI-focused features, including Gemini Intelligence, user interface refinements, security upgrades, and more.

The highlight of this year’s Android Show was Googlebooks, a new line of laptops running Android. They can cast apps from Android phones, pull files directly from a connected Android device, and offer contextual AI suggestions using the mouse pointer. Google says the first of these Chromebook successors are “coming this fall.”

I'm a devoted iPhone user but Android 17 is tempting me with its new video and social features