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's Find My Device can now let you track your friends – and I can't decide if that's cool or creepy
Android's Find My Device network now lets you track friends and family alongside your belongings, thanks to a new beta feature. And that sounds both useful and slightly creepy.
Google is working on its own version of Apple’s Hide My Email, and you might soon be able to try it yourself
Google is reportedly working on a new Shielded Email feature that will hide your email address when signing up for accounts, similar to the existing Hide My Email feature offered by Apple.
Your next Android phone could get up to eight years of software updates – but there are catches
Android phones running the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip will get up to eight years of software and security support, with more to come.
Google Messages could soon tell you which group chat members have read your messages - and I'm ready to snoop like never before
Snoop after you send
Google Messages will soon get a big upgrade for photo and video quality – and I’m going to use this a lot
Google Messages is making a change to its camera and gallery functions that should make it much easier to send photos and videos to your friends and family in their original quality.
Google Wallet loyalty cards are getting an upgrade – giving you one less reason to carry around the real thing
Google Wallet loyalty card upgrades are here promising offers and coupons – here’s what we know.
Android’s Emergency SOS just gave one Pixel owner my worst privacy nightmare – here’s how to avoid similar embarrassment
Emergency SOS caused one user major embarrassment when it shared a video of them naked – here’s how to make sure that doesn’t happen to you.
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.
