Even flagship devices like the Pixel 10 Pro and Galaxy S26 Ultra need the fastest possible internet connection to run as smoothly as you’d expect them to. It appears that Android 17 has come with some improvements that are addressing the issue and could speed up your internet connection.
Android 17 could give you much faster internet speeds
Google appears to have introduced some connectivity improvements with the latest Android 17 beta that are making internet connections work much faster than before. Reddit user Dry-Property-639 reports that their Pixel 9 started reaching much higher download speeds after it got the latest Android 17 update installed.
The reported download speed on the Pixel 9 has reached a bit over 2,000 Mbps, which could be an improvement of about 50% when compared to the download speeds achieved before the update. According to Dry-Property-639, the same phone on the same network used to reach about 1,350 Mbps before getting the latest OS version.
What version of Android are you currently using?
How much faster is the internet with Android 17 exactly?
Pixel 9 can get over 2,000 Mbps download speeds with Android 17. | Image by u/Dry-Property-639 on Reddit
This could mean some excellent news for Android users, but there are several caveats that must be taken into account. Most importantly, this test was run only on a Pixel 9 smartphone, meaning the improvement is noticeable only on this specific device.
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In fact, another Reddit post by the same user has the results of an earlier test, which shows a slightly slower speed, which appears to have been achieved on the same Pixel 9 and the same network. This clearly demonstrates that the Pixel 9 specifically was getting a steady flow of improvements.
Still, there’s a question whether the same result would translate to Pixel phones as a whole or if it is limited to this specific model. It also leaves open the possibility that other Android phones won’t get the improvements, as they could be limited to Google’s devices. This could be especially disappointing for owners of entry-level phones, as they’re unlikely to see the same speed bumps even after getting an Android 17 update.
On a brighter note, the same Reddit user has shared a Speedtest screenshot from a test they say was run on a OnePlus 11 on the same network. The speed achieved with that phone is 2,140 Mbps, which is higher than both results of the Pixel 9.
The speed reportedly achieved on a OnePlus 11 | Image by u/Dry-Property-639 on Reddit
All three tests have apparently been made on the same WiFi network powered by the high-end Xfinity Advanced Gateway XB10 modem provided by the user’s ISP. This modem supports WiFi 7 with tri-band WiFi, including the most advanced 6GHz band, and is capable of squeezing out the maximum possible speeds from the redditor’s premium internet service with a 2Gbps download limit.
Why could Android 17 get faster WiFi speeds?
Pixel 9 supports WiFi over a 6GHz band. | Image by PhoneArena
Over the last few years, Google has been focused on various optimizations and speed upgrades for its mobile operating system. It only makes sense for Android 17 to be another such update, delivering even more improvements across the board.
While the company hasn’t mentioned anything that is specifically focused on connectivity, such improvements make sense even if they’re unintentional. Optimizing the system itself and improving the efficiency of the Android backend could naturally lead to speed improvements both for WiFi and cellular connectivity.
That being said, we should probably wait and see whether Google has additional information to share with us. Until we get more firm details, like specs, affected models, and speed claims from the company, we should take this with a grain of salt.
Budget phones need this upgrade more
I find it difficult to imagine many situations that would let me notice the difference between 1 Gbps and 2 Gbps download speeds. However, if a lower-end phone can suddenly fully utilize a gigabit connection, it could lead to a very noticeable improvement. That’s why I’d love to see Google working on making Android run even better on budget phones, which would also impact flagships of the world.
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Ilia, a tech journalist at PhoneArena, has been covering the mobile industry since 2011, with experience at outlets like Forbes Bulgaria. Passionate about smartphones, tablets, and consumer tech, he blends deep industry knowledge with a personal fascination that began with his first Nokia and Sony Ericsson devices. Originally from Bulgaria and now based in Lima, Peru, Ilia balances his tech obsessions with walking his dog, training at the gym, and slowly mastering Spanish.
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