Google’s Android Upgrade—Why You Need A New Phone In 2026

InnovationCybersecurityGoogle’s Android Upgrade—Why You Need A New Phone In 2026ByZak Doffman,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Zak Doffman writes about cybersecurity, surveillance and privacy.Follow AuthorMay 16, 2026, 04:39am EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.All change for Android gettyBad news for hundreds of millions of owners of Android smartphones. It turns out that if you want Google’s latest upgrade, anything other than a 2026 phone won’t be good enough. And that means even Samsung’s nearly new, $1500-plus Galaxy S26 doesn’t make the cut.As Android specialists @AssembleDebug have just warned, Google’s new “Gemini Intelligence features are only available on Android devices with the most advanced capabilities and spec requirements.” That means Google’s Pixel 10 series and Samsung’s Galaxy S26 series.ForbesAfter 15 Years—Apple Changes Green Bubbles On Your iPhoneBy Zak DoffmanGoogle says Gemini Intelligence has been built with security and privacy at its center. This is about automating tasks, but that comes with risks. "Because great AI experiences require uncompromising privacy, we’ve grounded Gemini Intelligence on Android in three core principles." Those are “explicit user control, comprehensive data protection (and) operational transparency.”All change for Android getty if (!window.cnxel) { window.cnxel = {}; window.cnxel.cmd = []; var iframe = document.createElement('iframe'); iframe.style.display = 'none'; iframe.onload = function() { var iframeDoc = iframe.contentWindow.document; var script = iframeDoc.createElement('script'); script.src = '//cd.elements.video/player.js?cid=62cec241-7d09-4462-afc2-f72f8d8ef40a'; script.setAttribute('defer', '1'); script.setAttribute('type', 'text/javascript'); iframeDoc.body.appendChild(script); }; document.head.appendChild(iframe); const preloadResourcesEndpoint = 'https://c...