Google has started rolling out Android 17 QPR2 Beta 1 to eligible Pixel devices, introducing the first beta of the December 2026 Quarterly Platform Release.

Samsung is set to unveil its Android 17-based One UI 9 official version tomorrow. The new foldable phones will ship with the latest software early next month. Meanwhile, Google has just entered the next phase of Android 17 journey.

Android 17 QPR2 Beta 1

Rather than adding major new features, the Android 17 QPR2 Beta 1 update focuses on stability with fixes for Bluetooth pairing, Gemini-related crashes, notifications, accessibility, and several other issues.

The update is also notable because Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have reached the end of their Android beta journey, with the Android 17 QPR1 beta series serving as their final preview release.

Starting July 22, Android users in the US will be able to discover and install eligible third-party app stores directly through Google Play, marking a major shift in how apps can be distributed on the platform.

Google has introduced the Play Catalog Access Program, a new initiative that allows approved third-party Android app stores in the US to access listings from the Play Store catalog beginning July 22.

Well, Google is not completely stepping out of the picture. Apps obtained through these external stores will still be downloaded through Google Play’s infrastructure, and Google’s standard service fees will continue to apply to eligible app downloads.

In practice, the discovery experience becomes more open, while Google’s backend systems continue handling key parts of the installation process.

Store operators must pay a $5,000 upfront security review fee during onboarding, followed by a $5,000 annual fee to retain access to Google’s Play catalog. They must also satisfy extensive security, operational, and compliance requirements.

Perhaps the most significant restriction is geography. Participating stores can only target users in the United States and are legally prohibited from using Google’s Play catalog to distribute apps outside the US.

Still, beginning July 22, Android users in the US will have more choice than ever before, and developers will have new ways to reach customers without relying entirely on Google’s traditional Play Store model.

Xiaomi joins Samsung rivals in starting the Stable Android 17 update rollout. Google first initiated the official deployment on Pixel phones, with Xiaomi becoming the latest to offer a free upgrade to its latest flagship smartphone lineup.

Stable Android 17 has started to land on Xiaomi 17 series devices, while the latest Samsung flagships are still testing Beta software. Meanwhile, Samsung’s official Android 17 reveal is set to take place on July 22 in London.

Samsung is lagging in Stable Android 17 rollout

Samsung launched Android 17-based One UI 9 Beta testing in early May 2026. Users of the Galaxy S26 series can gain early access to the software. However, the Beta Program is not available in all countries but limited to just six.

Beta participants have recently received the fourth Beta update. The firmware took almost a month to arrive after its previous Beta version. Still, Beta 4 remained limited to addressing a handful of issues related to the software.

Although Samsung’s Android 17 rollout is set for early August, the software will stay limited to the Z Fold 8, Fold 8 Ultra, and Flip 8 phones. Existing devices, such as the Galaxy S26 series, would be getting it by September 2026.

Google’s Pixel phones started installing Android 17 in mid-June 2026. Xiaomi 17 series is the latest to be eligible for the major OS upgrade. More Chinese brands would now kickstart the rollout of their custom skins built on Android 17.

Samsung may keep its Beta Program running for another month. The current focus is the unveiling of new foldables and smartwatches. Once done, it will be shifted to marketing the sales of these devices to build momentum.

Judging from the previous strategies, the Korean tech giant is unlikely to begin shipping the latest OS immediately after the release at Unpacked. The software will be kept reserved to push consumers toward new foldables.

Google started rolling out Android 17 QPR1 Beta 7 to Pixel phones. The changelog mentions three improvements for the Quick Settings panel. It also brings the latest July 2026 security patches to eligible Pixel devices.

Android 17 QPR1 Beta 7 focuses on polishing the Quick Settings experience by fixing several annoying bugs. Google resolved an issue where Battery Share failed to start charging or repeatedly played the charging animation instead of working properly.

The update also fixes a visual glitch that left an empty space between the battery and mobile data icons in the Quick Settings status bar after Wi-Fi was turned off.

Additionally, Google addressed a crash affecting the Quick Settings font size controller, which previously prevented users from changing their text size directly from the quick access panel.

The latest Beta update is available for Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel Tablet, Pixel Fold, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9a, Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL, Pixel 10 Pro Fold, and Pixel 10a.

Android 17 QPR1 Beta 7 release notes

• Battery Share from Quick Settings failed to start charging or repeatedly displayed the charging animation.
• Turning off Wi-Fi created an empty gap between the battery and mobile data icons in the Quick Settings status bar.
• A crash in the Quick Settings font size controller that prevented users from adjusting their text size from the quick access panel.

Together, these fixes make Quick Settings more reliable and consistent in day-to-day use.

Google has a native Signatures app for documents, and it’s started rolling out to Android phones. The new app comes as part of the June 2026 Google Play system update and assists you in signing documents when needed.

Since the feature arrives through Google Play system updates, eligible devices can receive it regardless of who made the phone, as long as they’re running the required Play system version, as per AndroidAuthority.

The new Signatures app is designed to simplify something many people still rely on third-party apps for. Whenever Android detects that an app or document requires a signature, the new workflow can appear automatically.

As the name suggests, the app users to insert a saved signature instead of creating one from scratch every time. It feels like Google’s latest effort to move another everyday productivity task directly into Android itself.

Once inside the app, users can create and save their signature for future use. Android also supports storing initials, which are commonly required when signing contracts or reviewing documents.

Users can choose from multiple font styles if they prefer a typed signature, while those who want something more personal can upload a photo of their handwritten signature instead.

Google has also included basic management tools. Users can keep multiple signature variations, upload new versions whenever needed, and remove signatures they no longer use.