Grade: B
Google changed a lot of things with Android this year, bringing the launch window of Android 16 ahead by several months so the stable build is ready by the time the Pixels debuted in the fall. Along with that, it changed how it handles Android updates, with a major build going out in the summer and a minor release in the winter.
Overall, there’s much greater enthusiasm around what Google has to share with the broader Android ecosystem in 2026. With Android XR headsets debuting, the integration of ChromeOS with Android, and all the new features Google is baking into Android, it’s going to be an exciting year.
I made a set of predictions around Android OS last year, and it’s time to see how they held up.
Regular updates: C
Look, Google does a great job rolling out regular software updates to Pixels, and it’s great to see so many feature-filled updates hitting even older devices. I don’t have any issues with that, and obviously, Android platform releases also go out to Google’s devices the moment they’re available.
My issue is with the broader Android ecosystem. Most brands still do a pathetic job with software updates (looking at you, Xiaomi and Motorola), and Google needs to step in and set the terms a little better in these situations. As it stands, there’s just no reason for most phone manufacturers to bother with updates, and I want to see that change.
I’ll admit this is getting better with flagships; most brands now deliver updates within a few months of the stable build, and most high-end phones will get at least four platform updates (unless you’re using an ASUS phone). But with phone hardware getting much better over the last 18 months, these devices are designed to last the better part of a decade, and the software is more often than not the limiting factor.
UI tweaks: A
I like what Google is doing with the Pixel’s UI. While Material 3 Expressive may not be to everyone’s liking, I enjoy the interface’s design, and I can’t get enough of how playful and vibrant it is. As someone who tests a lot of Android phones, there’s no consistency or originality when it comes to most interfaces, with most Chinese brands now emulating the Liquid Glass design of iOS 26.
In that context, it’s great to see Google have a solid vision for the software and deliver it coherently. I would like the interface to make its way to other Android brands, but I know that’s just wishful thinking; after talking to most phone brands, it’s clear that they have their own ideology when it comes to the UI.
AI everywhere: B
Most phone brands have AI-assisted features just because it is the buzzword de jour. Google does a better job in this area, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL has a strong AI suite that’s actually good to use. Magic Cue has been plenty of fun to use, and it is great at surfacing actionable information based on context. Real-time call translate works really well, and it does an eerily good job at mimicking your voice.
The features I use the most are around image editing; the Pixel holds up pretty well in this area, and utilities like Add Me are genuinely great. If there’s one criticism, it’s that Google doesn’t organize these features; you’ll stumble upon most of these as you use the phone. Samsung organizes all its AI features in the phone settings, so you can easily see what’s available — Google needs to do something similar.
Android and ChromeOS integration: C
Google is taking its sweet time merging ChromeOS into Android, and although the brand talked about the upcoming integration, we haven’t really heard much about it. Recent leaks point to “Aluminium OS” as the desktop-class operating system that’s taking over, and the Android-based OS will be tightly integrated with AI — because you just can’t build anything these days without a smattering of AI.
The goal with Aluminium OS is to make Android itself flexible so it can run on a much wider range of devices. Google did this to an extent with Android 15 and Android 16 by integrating foldable-focused features, and having an actual desktop OS built in is going to be exciting. That said, it doesn’t look like we’ll see what Google intends to do with Aluminium OS at least until mid-2026.
Android XR: A
I genuinely like XR glasses now, and I’m thrilled to see what’s going on with Project Aura, where Google is collaborating with Xreal over XR glasses. These glasses come with an integrated OLED display and look highly interesting, and Google is said to be working on smart glasses similar to the Ray-Ban Meta Gen 2, but with Gemini integration.
