Android is the mobile operating system used by the majority of smartphones sold globally. It competes with Apple's iOS as the operating system of choice for most people.
Unlike iOS, which is only available on iPhones, Android can be found on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and televisions. What's more, it's used by multiple brands including Samsung, Sony, Xiaomi and of course its creator, Google. As a result of Android’s flexibility and adaptability, you can find Android phones at every price point, with features such as fast charging, high-resolution displays, and multiple cameras.
As Apple does with iOS, Google releases new Android versions on a yearly basis, though different Android manufacturers will often bundle it with their own features and brand it as something different. For example, Android 13 made its debut as OneUI 5 on Samsung phones and ColorOS 13 on Oppo phones.
Android 14 is expected to release on Google Pixel phones towards the end of 2023 and could focus on generative AI, with other smartphone brands following shortly.
Latest about Android
Android 16 will bring these 5 upgrades to your phone – including one I can’t wait to try out
The latest Android 16 beta hints at a selection of new features that could make life easier and more creative for users of the world’s most popular mobile operating system.
Google Messages now lets you send yourself RCS messages – trust me, it’s more useful than it sounds
Google Messages has added the ability to send RCS messages to yourself, allowing for longer reminders and the quick transfer of photos and videos between devices.
Mark your calendars for May 20, 2025, the start date for Google I/O.
Mark your calendars for May 20, 2025
Google Messages could soon let you delete messages for other people, and I can't wait to pretend my cringiest jokes never happened
Google has added a new unsend feature to the most recent unreleased version of Google Messages, which will allow you to delete messages for everybody in a chat rather than only yourself.
Android 16 tipped to get big health monitoring upgrade – and your Fitbit could be the first to take advantage
Android 16 is bringing with it a more comprehensive Health Connect hub, and the Fitbit app is ready for it.
Google Gemini update makes asking the AI for assistance feel more like phoning a friend
Google is making some Gemini Live notifications look like phone calls.
Google Gemini update makes the AI much more useful when your phone is locked
Google Gemini can now use extensions from the lockscreen, here's how to turn it on.
Google Messages will get a big emergency texting upgrade soon – here's what's coming
Google has promised to support emergency texts over RCS, and it looks like a launch could be imminent.
