Google executive basically confirms ‘Aluminium OS’ is launching this fall

For months, we have been tracking a massive shift in Google’s computing strategy. From the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra-based ‘Sapphire’ to the Intel-based ‘Ruby’ and Snapdragon X Plus-based ‘Bluey’ devices, the hardware for Project Aluminium has been taking shape in the Chromium Gerrit. We knew Google was building a fleet of premium, Android-baselined ChromeOS laptops, but the actual release timeline has been the subject of some debate.

Recently surfaced court documents from the Google Search antitrust trial even suggested the project might be pushed back to 2028, leaving us wondering when these high-end devices would actually see the light of day.

Thankfully, we now have what feels like a pretty solid answer. In a recent interview with Android Authority at MWC 2026, Google’s President of the Android Ecosystem, Sameer Samat, put those delay rumors to rest and essentially confirmed that Aluminium OS is arriving later this year.

The 2026 release feels locked in

When asked directly about the timeline and whether Aluminium OS was still expected in 2026, Samat initially hesitated before stating, “Yes, I’m super excited about later this year.”

While he didn’t give an exact month, “later this year” in Google-speak almost always points to the traditional fall hardware window. This perfectly aligns with the development cycle we’ve been tracking for these flagship-tier baseboards. Google is gearing up to launch a new era of consumer laptops to take on devices like the new MacBook Neo, and they are doing it in 2026.

According to Samat, the driving force behind this new OS is the resurgence of the laptop form factor, fueled largely by AI. While smartphones and tablets have dominated the conversation for years, generative AI tools require the screen real estate, multitasking capabilities, and physical keyboards that only a laptop can provide.

But beyond AI, Aluminium OS is about continuity. Samat noted that Android users have been begging for their phones and laptops to work better together. With Aluminium OS and the upcoming ‘Handoff’ features in Android 17, Google is finally building a tightly integrated ecosystem that can rival Apple’s seamless cross-device experience.

Chrome OS isn’t going anywhere

Perhaps the most reassuring part of the interview is the clarification on the fate of Chrome OS. With Aluminium OS stepping into the spotlight, many assumed traditional Chromebooks were on the chopping block.

Samat made it very clear that this is not the case. “Development for Chrome OS will absolutely continue as is,” he stated, praising its unmatched management capabilities. We’ve stated as much here at Chrome Unboxed, too.

Instead of replacing Chrome OS, Google is adopting a dual-OS strategy. Chrome OS will remain the undisputed king of the education sector and enterprise deployments where simplicity and security are paramount. Meanwhile, Aluminium OS will serve as Google’s premium consumer offering—a platform that blends the vast Android app ecosystem, deep phone integration, and cutting-edge AI features into flagship hardware. And now, it seems we only have a few more months to wait.