Google is delaying support for an Android rival to Apple's 3D Touch

Google is delaying its support for the Android version of the pressure-sensitive touch feature known as 3D Touch on the iPhone.

Documentation for the second preview release of Android N had raised expectations that the operating system update would add support to allow developers to take advantage of such screens.

However, sources confirm that the feature will not be part of the initial Android N release and will have to wait for a later release of the operating system, most likely as part of a maintenance update to the software.

A Google representative declined to comment.

There are already a handful of Android phones, including Huawei's Mate S and ZTE's Axon Mini, that have the pressure-sensitive screens needed for such a feature. However, without operating-level support, phone makers have the unenviable task of getting developers to write support for each of the phones individually.

Apple added 3D Touch to the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, but opted not to include it in the more budget-oriented iPhone SE that debuted earlier this year.