Breaking news for Android. Get the latest on apps, carriers, devices, and more!
Android is Google’s mobile operating system, launched in September 2008, although its history technically began with the release of the Android alpha in November 2007. To this day, Android powers the majority of the world’s smartphones and comes in several different flavors across many phone makers.
Android, before it was Android, was a company called Android Inc. That company was founded in Palo Alto, California, in 2003 by a crew of four: Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White. The company and its project was acquired by Google in 2005 for a sum of more than $50 million, although the exact number is unknown. The company’s founders joined Google as part of the deal.
In its infancy, Android was an operating system built not for touch screen smartphones like the iPhone, but rather BlackBerry-like devices with physical keyboards. It’s well documented that after Apple shocked the world with the iPhone, ahead of its nearest competition by at least a couple years, Google and Android Inc. had to go back to the drawing board to build something competitive.
Adoption by third-party makers
It didn’t take long after the launch of the iPhone for various manufacturers to enter the market with their alternatives — and Google’s Android immediately became the obvious platform of choice for just about everyone except Microsoft. HTC was the first manufacturer on board, and introduced the T-Mobile G1 running Android in September 2008. Soon after, HTC, Motorola, Samsung, and carriers like Sprint and T-Mobile jumped on board to form the Open Handset Alliance.
Android makers across the world
Iconic Android handsets
There have been thousands of Android phones released since Android’s inception, but some have been more important to the platform’s history than others. There was the original T-Mobile G1, as mentioned, but there was also the HTC One Google Play Edition, Moto G, Samsung Galaxy S4, and others. Some of the most iconic Android handsets include:
HTC G1
HTC Nexus One
Samsung Galaxy S, S2, S3, S4, and their successors
HTC Incredible S
Samsung Nexus S
Samsung Galaxy Nexus
Samsung Galaxy Note
Nokia 8
BlackBerry KeyOne
Google Pixel and its successors
In more modern times, there are several Android smartphones makers that popped up across various niches and in several international markets. Huawei is a dominant Android maker in China and many European markets, while Samsung is by far the most popular maker in the United States by far — effectively creating a duopoly with Apple. Today, there are dozens of major device makers contributing to the Android ecosystem.
Android has seen countless software revisions over the course of its life, but in modern times the OS usually sees a major release on an annual cadence. In the earlier days, Google famously gave its major software releases dessert-themed codenames, but retired that practice in 2019 with the release of Android 10.
Version
Name
Release
Devices
2.3
Gingerbread
February 9, 2011
Nexus S
4.0
Ice Cream Sandwich
October 19, 2011
Galaxy Nexus
4.1
Jelly Bean
July 9, 2012
Nexus 7
4.2
Jelly Bean
November 13, 2012
Nexus 4, 10
4.3
Jelly Bean
July 24, 2013
Nexus 7 (2013)
4.4
KitKat
October 31, 2013
Nexus 5
5.0
Lollipop
November 3, 2014
Nexus 6, 9
5.1
Lollipop
March 9, 2015
Android One
6.0
Marshmallow
October 5, 2015
Nexus 5X, 6P
7.0
Nougat
August 22, 2016
Nexus 5X, 6P
7.1
Nougat
October 4, 2016
Pixel, Pixel XL
8.0
Oreo
August 21, 2017
Pixel, Pixel XL
8.1
Oreo
December 5, 2017
Pixel, Pixel XL
9
Pie
August 6, 2018
Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL
10
10
September 3, 2019
Pixel 3, 3a
11
11
September 8, 2020
Pixel 4
List of major Android OS platforms
While Android proper is certainly the most widespread of Google’s Android operating systems, the company has also launched many offshoots of the main OS over the years. There’s Android Auto, Android Wear (now Wear OS), Android TV (now rebranded to Google TV), as well as versions of Android built for tablets and Android Things (now defunct).
If you’re a regular 9to5Google reader, you probably already know the turbulence happening inside the consumer electronics space. We’re all collectively looking down the barrel of significantly higher prices across the board, primarily — though not exclusively — thanks to increased component demand from AI companies. Put simply, buying a smartphone in 2026 is about to suck, but with a little bit of planning, you aren’t completely out of hope.
As revealed in the ongoing court saga, Google and Epic Games have apparently struck a new deal that involves Android, Unreal Engine, and some sort of “product development,” and it’s going to remain a secret for the time being.
In what could be a bug or behavior change, the Google Play Store is not showing available updates for system-level apps if you have automatic updates disabled.
Rewind almost 15 years, and the Android ROM scene was thriving. Nightly builds, tons of projects, we truly were living in a golden age. Nowadays, things have changed significantly. Just what happened to the custom ROM scene, and can it be revived?
If you’ve been dreaming of a life that revolves around just a single device — your phone — capable of replacing your laptop, desktop, and more, a new piece of hardware might give you exactly what you’re looking for. Unfortunately, you’ll need to accept some cut corners to get there.
The Northern Lights have been visible in huge portions of the Northern Hemisphere due to stronger geomagnetic storms. Here’s how to take a picture of the Northern Lights using a Google Pixel smartphone or other Android devices.
Google announced changes to Android app sideloading last year that would require developer verification as a safety measure, but the company somewhat backtracked with a solution for “experienced users” that would allow for installs without verification. Google is now doing some early prep work on the “Install without verifying” flow, which Google itself calls “high friction.”
A new report has been published, indicating that X users are dwindling while the number of Android and iOS visits to Threads has steadily increased and surpassed the Twitter it once was.
Smartphone accessories aren’t just add-ons, they’re a huge part of the experience of using and owning your device. But, for Android users, it’s often felt like we’re getting the short end of the stick, with a whole world of accessories that only ever seem to care about the iPhone. Finally, though, that feels like it’s changing.
One big trend in Android in recent years has been positioning self-proclaimed “flagship killer” smartphones at a lower price point by dropping down to a last-gen or step-down chipset. With its new Dimensity 9500s and Dimensity 8500 chipsets, MediaTek is looking to power those devices.
Google’s Fast Pair protocol delivers one of the best Bluetooth experiences you’ll find today, automatically pairing wireless earbuds, speakers, and other accessories and sharing those details across your account. Unfortunately, a new paper reveals some pretty serious security concerns with some Fast Pair devices, and you’ll need to update each of your gadgets individually to fix it.
Ayaneo might’ve made a splash late last year with is Xperia Play-esque Pocket Play smartphone, but if you’ve been holding out on buying one of those over, say, a new Pixel, you’ll need to wait a little longer.
Announced at CES 2026 this week, the new 8BitDo Flip Pad is a USB-C controller for Android phones (and iPhones too) that sits on top of your display and seems just perfect for emulators.
Proper Qi2 support on Android has been rather elusive thus far, with only Google’s Pixel 10 series bringing the feature to a mass audience. While there are rumblings of support from Samsung in 2026, another Qi2 Android phone has been confirmed for next year, it’s just not one anyone expected.
After a somewhat underwhelming release last year, privacy-focused brand Punkt is back with the new MC03 smartphone, which is based on Android and ships with “AphyOS,” and coming to the US this year.
Coming from the same company that revived a physical keyboard for your smartphone, the “Clicks Communicator” is a dedicated piece of hardware that acts as a phone for your phone and is all about managing your messages.
The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed at developers.
One thing that I thought we’d see more of in 2025 was how Gemini could control your Android phone. There was the May demo and other underlying work, but we don’t have Google’s complete vision yet.
Is the curtain falling on big-ticket Android updates? Does a yearly release cycle even matter anymore, or is it just a sign of the times that there isn’t much left to really add to our smartphones?
Android
Breaking news for Android. Get the latest on apps, carriers, devices, and more!
Android is Google’s mobile operating system, launched in September 2008, although its history technically began with the release of the Android alpha in November 2007. To this day, Android powers the majority of the world’s smartphones and comes in several different flavors across many phone makers.
Table of contents
What is Android?
Android Inc.
Android, before it was Android, was a company called Android Inc. That company was founded in Palo Alto, California, in 2003 by a crew of four: Andy Rubin, Rich Miner, Nick Sears, and Chris White. The company and its project was acquired by Google in 2005 for a sum of more than $50 million, although the exact number is unknown. The company’s founders joined Google as part of the deal.
In its infancy, Android was an operating system built not for touch screen smartphones like the iPhone, but rather BlackBerry-like devices with physical keyboards. It’s well documented that after Apple shocked the world with the iPhone, ahead of its nearest competition by at least a couple years, Google and Android Inc. had to go back to the drawing board to build something competitive.
Adoption by third-party makers
It didn’t take long after the launch of the iPhone for various manufacturers to enter the market with their alternatives — and Google’s Android immediately became the obvious platform of choice for just about everyone except Microsoft. HTC was the first manufacturer on board, and introduced the T-Mobile G1 running Android in September 2008. Soon after, HTC, Motorola, Samsung, and carriers like Sprint and T-Mobile jumped on board to form the Open Handset Alliance.
Android makers across the world
Iconic Android handsets
There have been thousands of Android phones released since Android’s inception, but some have been more important to the platform’s history than others. There was the original T-Mobile G1, as mentioned, but there was also the HTC One Google Play Edition, Moto G, Samsung Galaxy S4, and others. Some of the most iconic Android handsets include:
In more modern times, there are several Android smartphones makers that popped up across various niches and in several international markets. Huawei is a dominant Android maker in China and many European markets, while Samsung is by far the most popular maker in the United States by far — effectively creating a duopoly with Apple. Today, there are dozens of major device makers contributing to the Android ecosystem.
Full list of Android OEMs
History of major Android versions
Android has seen countless software revisions over the course of its life, but in modern times the OS usually sees a major release on an annual cadence. In the earlier days, Google famously gave its major software releases dessert-themed codenames, but retired that practice in 2019 with the release of Android 10.
List of major Android OS platforms
While Android proper is certainly the most widespread of Google’s Android operating systems, the company has also launched many offshoots of the main OS over the years. There’s Android Auto, Android Wear (now Wear OS), Android TV (now rebranded to Google TV), as well as versions of Android built for tablets and Android Things (now defunct).
Buying a new phone in 2026 is going to suck, so it’s worth planning ahead
If you’re a regular 9to5Google reader, you probably already know the turbulence happening inside the consumer electronics space. We’re all collectively looking down the barrel of significantly higher prices across the board, primarily — though not exclusively — thanks to increased component demand from AI companies. Put simply, buying a smartphone in 2026 is about to suck, but with a little bit of planning, you aren’t completely out of hope.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle and Epic Games struck a secretive $800 million deal, ‘helping Google market Android’
As revealed in the ongoing court saga, Google and Epic Games have apparently struck a new deal that involves Android, Unreal Engine, and some sort of “product development,” and it’s going to remain a secret for the time being.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle Play Store not showing Android, Pixel system app updates [U]
In what could be a bug or behavior change, the Google Play Store is not showing available updates for system-level apps if you have automatic updates disabled.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat happened to custom ROMs? [Video]
Rewind almost 15 years, and the Android ROM scene was thriving. Nightly builds, tons of projects, we truly were living in a golden age. Nowadays, things have changed significantly. Just what happened to the custom ROM scene, and can it be revived?
Expand Expanding CloseThis Android phone could double as your next Windows PC, but you won’t want it to
If you’ve been dreaming of a life that revolves around just a single device — your phone — capable of replacing your laptop, desktop, and more, a new piece of hardware might give you exactly what you’re looking for. Unfortunately, you’ll need to accept some cut corners to get there.
Expand Expanding CloseHow to take pictures of the Northern Lights with Google Pixel and other Android phones
The Northern Lights have been visible in huge portions of the Northern Hemisphere due to stronger geomagnetic storms. Here’s how to take a picture of the Northern Lights using a Google Pixel smartphone or other Android devices.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle app finally redesigns voice search on Android
Google is rolling out a significant redesign and modernization of voice search on Android.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle calls Android’s new sideloading flow ‘high friction’
Google announced changes to Android app sideloading last year that would require developer verification as a safety measure, but the company somewhat backtracked with a solution for “experienced users” that would allow for installs without verification. Google is now doing some early prep work on the “Install without verifying” flow, which Google itself calls “high friction.”
Expand Expanding CloseThreads is reportedly getting more visitors on Android than Twitter/X is
A new report has been published, indicating that X users are dwindling while the number of Android and iOS visits to Threads has steadily increased and surpassed the Twitter it once was.
Expand Expanding CloseAsus confirms it will ‘no longer’ make Android smartphones as it shifts focus to AI
Asus has reiterated that it will “no longer” be making “new” Android smartphones with its focus shifting towards the market built up by AI.
Expand Expanding CloseNo one cares about Android accessories, but is that finally changing?
Smartphone accessories aren’t just add-ons, they’re a huge part of the experience of using and owning your device. But, for Android users, it’s often felt like we’re getting the short end of the stick, with a whole world of accessories that only ever seem to care about the iPhone. Finally, though, that feels like it’s changing.
Expand Expanding CloseMediaTek Dimensity 9500s and Dimensity 8500 debut for Android’s ‘flagship killer’ phones
One big trend in Android in recent years has been positioning self-proclaimed “flagship killer” smartphones at a lower price point by dropping down to a last-gen or step-down chipset. With its new Dimensity 9500s and Dimensity 8500 chipsets, MediaTek is looking to power those devices.
Expand Expanding CloseMany Google Fast Pair devices need an update to patch exploits that allowed attackers to track you
Google’s Fast Pair protocol delivers one of the best Bluetooth experiences you’ll find today, automatically pairing wireless earbuds, speakers, and other accessories and sharing those details across your account. Unfortunately, a new paper reveals some pretty serious security concerns with some Fast Pair devices, and you’ll need to update each of your gadgets individually to fix it.
Expand Expanding CloseAyaneo delays slider Android gaming phone to address shipping and support concerns
Ayaneo might’ve made a splash late last year with is Xperia Play-esque Pocket Play smartphone, but if you’ve been holding out on buying one of those over, say, a new Pixel, you’ll need to wait a little longer.
Expand Expanding CloseNotability, a popular note-taking app for iOS, is finally coming to Android
Roughly 15 years after its launch on iOS, the popular note-taking app Notability is finally coming to Android in the near future.
Expand Expanding Close8BitDo Flip Pad looks like the perfect portable controller for Android emulators [Gallery]
Announced at CES 2026 this week, the new 8BitDo Flip Pad is a USB-C controller for Android phones (and iPhones too) that sits on top of your display and seems just perfect for emulators.
Expand Expanding CloseThere’s finally another new Android phone with Qi2 coming, but will there be more in 2026?
Proper Qi2 support on Android has been rather elusive thus far, with only Google’s Pixel 10 series bringing the feature to a mass audience. While there are rumblings of support from Samsung in 2026, another Qi2 Android phone has been confirmed for next year, it’s just not one anyone expected.
Expand Expanding Close‘Foldy Bird’ uses your foldable hinge to play Flappy Bird, and it hurts my soul
You can play Flappy Bird and speedrun wearing out your foldable phone’s hinge at the same time.
Expand Expanding ClosePunkt MC03 is a $699 privacy-focused Android phone, OS requires a subscription
After a somewhat underwhelming release last year, privacy-focused brand Punkt is back with the new MC03 smartphone, which is based on Android and ships with “AphyOS,” and coming to the US this year.
Expand Expanding CloseThe ‘Clicks Communicator’ is a message-centric Android phone with a physical keyboard [Gallery]
Coming from the same company that revived a physical keyboard for your smartphone, the “Clicks Communicator” is a dedicated piece of hardware that acts as a phone for your phone and is all about managing your messages.
Expand Expanding CloseAsus won’t make any new Android phones in 2026, but it might not be done yet
Asus has seemingly confirmed that it is mostly done with Android phones, with no plans to release new devices in the Zenfone or ROG lineups in 2026.
Expand Expanding CloseWhat’s new in Android’s December 2025 Google System Updates [U]
The monthly “Google System Release Notes” primarily detail what’s new in Play services, Play Store, and Play system update across Android phones/tablets, Wear OS, Google/Android TV, Auto, and PC. Some features apply to end users, while others are aimed at developers.
Expand Expanding CloseGemini control to Android: Will we talk to our phones more in 2026?
One thing that I thought we’d see more of in 2025 was how Gemini could control your Android phone. There was the May demo and other underlying work, but we don’t have Google’s complete vision yet.
Expand Expanding CloseDo yearly Android updates matter anymore? [Video]
Is the curtain falling on big-ticket Android updates? Does a yearly release cycle even matter anymore, or is it just a sign of the times that there isn’t much left to really add to our smartphones?
Expand Expanding Close