Motorola was quick to launch its Android 17 beta program, announcing it just days after Google released the first beta for Pixel devices in February 2026. And to everyone’s surprise, the brand kept expanding the beta program to more and more devices, now available for over a dozen smartphones. However, on the other hand, the company is struggling with the Android 16 rollout, as the update hasn’t reached all eligible devices.

Motorola is struggling to wrap up Android 16 rollout

The company began rolling out a stable Android 16 update to its devices in September 2025, ahead of many of its competitors, including OnePlus, Oppo, and Vivo. The Edge 60 Pro and Edge 50 Fusion were among the first phones to receive the Android 16 update. However, Motorola struggled to deliver timely releases to other eligible devices.

Premium devices like the Razr 2025 and Razr Ultra 2025 weren’t lucky either. They started receiving the Android 16 update towards the end of February 2026. The situation only worsens as you move towards cheaper phones. Making matter worse, there’s no official announcement regarding the eligibility of devices or the rollout schedule for Android 16.

Just as we’re getting close to the Android 17 release, Motorola has started rolling out last year’s update to its entry-level phones, including the Moto G35. Since the company is aggressively working on the Android 17 beta program, we hope it will look to complete the Android 16 rollout as soon as possible.

Motorola looks more promising this year

Motorola has been struggling with software releases over the past couple of years. However, if you’ve been tracking recent rollouts and announcements, it’s clear that the company is working to improve the software commitments and rollouts.

The recent major upgrades, though not timely, have shown signs of improvement. The software support period has also been upgraded significantly in recent months.

Motorola’s mid-range and high-end phones were typically limited to three OS upgrades, now promising up to five. It took a big leap forward earlier this year with the release of Motorola Signature, which promises seven generations of major OS upgrades. That’s the best you can get on an Android device.

In February, Motorola surprised with the Android 17 beta announcement just days after Google announced the Android 17 Beta 1, while other brands took over a month. Even more surprising is that the beta program now covers over a dozen Motorola devices, while other non-Google brands have offered it for very few of their phones.

Motorola seems to be taking its software game seriously, and I hope to see quicker update rollouts this year. Also, it would be very welcoming to hear an official rollout schedule for the upcoming OS releases, providing more clarity on when users can expect the updates to land on their phones.

Be sure to visit the Motorola section on Gizmochina to stay up-to-date with the latest news and developments. Or, if you prefer instant updates, don’t forget to join our Telegram channel.

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Teaser of The Android Show signaled Android 17 would introduce Liquid Glass design, but apparently, that is not happening.

Sameer Samat, Google’s President of the Android Ecosystem, directly responded to the conversation after a Pixel-themed mockup imagined what Apple’s Liquid Glass aesthetic could look like on Android 17.

Apple’s “Liquid Glass” design has triggered a familiar cycle. After the company changed its software direction, others started experimenting with translucent layers, floating buttons, reflective animations, and overdone blur effects.

Android users, especially Pixel and Samsung fans, were already wondering if Google would eventually follow the same road.

Google has spent years building its own design identity through Material Design and, more recently, with Material 3 Expressive. Whether people love or hate the colorful approach, it is at least recognizably Android.

There is also a practical side to this. Apple’s Liquid Glass design is not just about blur. It leans heavily on reflections, layered translucency, depth simulation, and motion effects that constantly shift around the interface.

Android brands copying Apple is nothing new. Even Samsung has borrowed certain ideas over the years. Some One UI navigation layouts and floating interaction patterns clearly moved closer to Apple’s approach after One UI 6.

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• One UI 9 may not rush into Android 17’s Liquid Glass redesign

The bigger picture should become clearer during The Android Show on May 12. Google is already teasing it as “one of the biggest years for Android yet.”

For Samsung users, the important part is this: Android can evolve visually without losing its own identity.

Don't worry. Not happening!

— Sameer Samat (@ssamat) May 5, 2026

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Google has now officially confirmed that the “Android Show: I/O Edition” will stream on May 12, days before I/O 2026 officially kicks off.

Not many details are available, but the messaging is clear. Google is calling 2026 one of the most important years in Android’s history, which points directly to Android 17.

Expect a tighter focus on usability rather than headline-grabbing redesigns. Early reports suggest features like controller remapping and improved multitasking through floating app bubbles.

Google’s Gemini push is evolving into what it calls “agentic AI.” The Android Show will likely preview how deeply Gemini integrates at the OS level.

The Mountain View giant has promised smarter assistants for years, but consistency across devices remains a weak spot. If Android 17 is serious about AI, it needs tighter control over how these features behave across different OEM skins.

Hardware could also make an appearance: Google’s Android XR initiative, introduced last year, is still in its early phase, with smart glasses being the more interesting angle.

The Android Show is not just another livestream. It is a signal of where Google wants Android to go in 2026. For Samsung fans, it’s as crucial as Pixel fans as the upcoming One UI 9 will be based on the Android 17 operating system.

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