Android 17 will start hitting Pixel phones with previews today

Android on your wrist is being upgraded today, assuming you have a Pixel Watch. Google says so Wear OS 7 is a major update that brings Gemini Intelligence to the latest models. It’s not all AI, though. For starters, Google says Pixel Watch users can expect a 10 percent battery boost after the update.

The new app, based on Android 17, puts a number of popular features on phones for wearables, including live notifications. Now you can track DoorDash orders or watch a few games. The audio source selector from phones is also coming to the Pixel Watch. For developers, Wear OS will make it easier to adapt widgets optimized for the phone to fit the smaller screen.

The initial release does not include Gemini Intelligence (and the new Neural Expressive feature), but Google says this is planned for the coming months. When it arrives, you’ll have features like the AI-powered Create My Widget and more software steps. The idea that you’ll be able to give Gemini a difficult task like booking concert tickets from the watch is questionable, however. This doesn’t work well on mobile phones where you can watch the robot move around.

Ready, sit, wait

It usually takes several weeks for new Android versions to reach all eligible Pixel devices. Meanwhile, the new OS is available on all Tensor-powered Pixels, from the Pixel 6 series to the current Pixel 10. the overall picture of the system or a OTA file from Google sites. Even if you do, some of the interesting features, such as curved game controls and Pause Point, are not available here.

For anyone with a non-Pixel Android phone, the wait will be longer. Samsung is likely to start redesigning its latest smartphones in a few months, followed by other OEMs such as Motorola and OnePlus. Current phones should be the first in line to be updated, but thanks to the limited features of Android 17, you don’t need much. Google will continue to release Android updates through apps, Play Services, and OEM partnerships.

We are also expecting another major release of Android 17 in late 2026, focused on API and software changes.