Google is quietly giving Pixels months of exclusive Android features and security patches

Android 17 is the first since 3.x to add new APIs without releasing to the AOSP

GrapheneOS says Android 17 QPR1 adds new APIs that are only available on Pixels, with other OEMs and AOSP projects waiting until QPR2 in December 2026. The project has already ported its code to Android 17 QPR1 but cannot release it yet, and Google is also late on GPL source requests. GrapheneOS calls the arrangement a dubious competitive edge for Pixels.