Google releases Android 17 for Pixel phones, updates Android Auto UI

Google has begun shipping Android 17 on its Pixel smartphones. The flagship Pixel 10 Pro XL features the Tensor G5 processor, 16 GB of RAM, a 6.8‑inch OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and seven years of security updates. A lower‑cost option, the Pixel 9a, uses a Tensor G4 chip, a 6.3‑inch OLED screen and a 48 MP camera. Samsung’s Galaxy S26 is also slated to receive Android 17 via One UI 8 later this month, offering an Exynos 2600 processor and a 6.2‑inch screen.

Separately, Google has rolled out a refreshed interface for Android Auto. The new design replaces the traditional horizontal progress bar in the music player with a wavy line, an aesthetic change that has reached users through the latest beta build. Early feedback praises the modern look, though some users note that the album art appears smaller than before. The update is currently available to beta participants, with a public release forthcoming.