Android 18 expected release date, supported devices and must-know features
Google's Android bot from Dev Summit 2026. | Image by Google
What's expected to change vs Android 17:
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- New graphics features for developers, such as mesh gradients and progressive blurs, built to be efficient on battery and frame rates
- Revamped contact permissions, so third-party apps don't get your full contact list
- More agentic AI expected, building on Android 17's Gemini Intelligence
- Customization changes expected for the lock screen, quick settings and system menus
- Pixel 12 series will likely ship with Android 18 out of the box
Expected release timeline:
- The stable release of Android 18 is expected around June 2027.
Android 18 release date
- No official date has been revealed yet. Expected announcement timeframe is June 2027
| OS version | Announcement date |
|---|---|
| Android 18 | June 2027* |
| Android 17 | May 12, 2026 |
| Android 16 | June 10, 2025 |
| Android 15 | Developer preview: February 16, 2024, General availability: September 3, 2024 |
*Expected dates
Android 18 was already mentioned as it appeared on the agenda for Google's Android Dev Summit 2026. The session was called "Elevate your apps with the latest graphics features in Jetpack Compose and Android 18".
Currently, Android 18 is expected to be officially unveiled in June 2027. Android 17 was announced on May 12, 2026 during The Android Show, and its stable version arrived five weeks later on supported Pixel phones.
The Pixel 12 series, which is expected to come in August 2027, will likely come with Android 18 out of the box. Samsung, on the other hand, may debut One UI 10 based on Android 18 with its foldables in the summer of 2027 as well.
Android 18 eligible devices
- No official list has been published yet. Pixel phones from the Pixel 7 up are expected to get it first
- The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro expected to receive Android 18 as their last major update
Pixel phones get new Android versions first as per tradition. The Pixel 7 series reaches the end of its update life in October 2027, which means Android 18 may be the final big update for these phones.
Expected Pixel devices for Android 18:
- Pixel 12 series
- Pixel 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro XL, 11 Pro Fold
- Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, 10 Pro Fold, 10a
- Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold, 9a
- Pixel 8, 8 Pro, 8a
- Pixel 7, 7 Pro, 7a
- Pixel Fold
The Pixel 6 and 6a are likely not getting Android 18. Meanwhile, the phones from the Pixel 12 lienup, including the Pixel 12 Pro Fold, are expected to launch with the new OS out of the box.
For other manufacturers, Android 18 availability depends on each company and carrier. For Samsung, a One UI 10 rollout is expected after the 2027 foldable phones luanch.
The Galaxy S26 and Galaxy S27 series will likely be the first in line for the new OS update, along with recent Galaxy Z Fold and Flip models.
Android 18 features
- Graphics features: mesh gradients and progressive blurs, with battery life focus
- Revamped contact permissions rumored
- No other features confirmed or leaked yet
Currently, the only official Android 18 feature is the aforementioned graphics update. A mesh gradient is a color blend that can curve and swirl in different colors. It would offer soft backgrounds.
A progressive blur, on the other hand, just blurs gradually, so an image is sharp at the top and turns blurry towards the bottom, which would add a good visual effect while keeping the readability on the top.
Google showed developers during its session on the new visuals how to build both effects without sacrificing battery life or display refresh rates.
Meanwhile, recent leaks suggest Android 18 may revampt contact permissions. Third-party apps will no longer get access to your complete contact list, according to reports, which would be a big plus on the security and privacy side.
The rest of Android 18's feature set is still under wraps.
Android 17 brought Gemini Intelligence, which had the ability to handle tasks across different apps on your behalf. The update also brought App Bubbles for multitasking, Pause Point to fight doomscrolling, improvements to Gboard's Rambler and prompt-based custom widgets.
Andrdoi 18 is likely to continue enhancing Gemini Intelligence and other AI features. More customization changes for the lock screen, system menus and the quick settings menu are also expected.
Android 18 beta preview
- The beta is not out yet
- Beta 1 is expected around mid-February 2027, based on Android 17's schedule
Google skipped the Developer Preview stage with Android 17 and went directly from Canary to Beta builds. If the same happens with Android 18, here's roughly how the schedule may look like:
| Build | Expected timing |
|---|---|
| Canary | Continuous, late 2026 to early 2027 |
| Beta 1 | mid-February 2027 |
| Beta 2 | late February 2027 |
| Beta 3 | late March 2027 |
| Beta 4 | mid-April 2027 |
| Stable release | June 2027 |
Keep in mind that the dates above are based on the Android 17 timeline and could potentially shift. Once Android 18 beta builds arrive, Pixel owners will be able to enroll in the program.
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