Here’s What You Need to Know About Android 12
While many Android users are still waiting to upgrade their smartphones to Android 11, Google released the Developer Preview of Android 12. The preview was launched in mid-February, a few weeks earlier than usual, giving developers around the world more time to adjust their apps accordingly. With the COVID-19 crisis still extending in some countries, Google seems to follow a longer timeline and a more cautious strategy in 2021. However, Android 12, also known internally as Snow Cone, is still a popular topic of conversation, both online and offline.
As developers everywhere begin to adapt their apps to the new Android 12, users are left wondering when will their devices get Android 12, what are the most important changes and what new features should they be excited about. Here’s what you need to know about Android 12:
When Will Android 12 Be Released?
While Google did recently release the Developer Preview, this is by no means a guarantee that the final version will be quick to follow. The preview is, in fact, an earlier version of the new OS, one specially designed for app developers who must adapt their apps. While you can probably get an idea about the software’s new features, you will need to wait until the final version is widely available in order to form an opinion. The earliest version of the OS will probably be premiered in May 2021, at Google IO, a technical conference featuring news about Android, Google Chrome, Google APIs, and other Google products.
But while the initial release for consumers is expected to take place in May, the final finished version of Android 12 will most likely be available in September. Some handsets, like the Google Pixel 5 and Google Pixel 4a, along with other new Google releases, are bound to receive the new OS faster than other brands. When it comes to your devices, it will be up to the manufacturer to bring Android 12 to your specific phone or tablet. The good news is that some manufacturers have already announced their plans to switch their devices to Android 12.
Phones with Android 12
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Pixel devices are likely to get Android 12 first, or that it is also very likely that newer Pixel models will come with Android 12 installed. However, when it comes to the highest-selling smartphones in the world, Google’s Pixel series doesn’t make the cut. So what about devices from top manufacturers like Samsung or Xiaomi? If the latter has yet to announce plans to switch its devices to the new OS, Samsung has already made some promises that may allow us to predict what happens next.
Samsung assured users around the world it will provide its devices with “three generations” of Android updates. This actually means that most devices launched with Android 10 will receive Android 11, 12, and 13, while those launched with Android 11 will live to see Android 14. But Samsung is not alone in updating its devices. While there are still no announcements on this issue from other manufacturers around the world, it may be enough to look at the past to draw some conclusions about the future. When initially launched, Android 11 only supported the Pixel range and a few other devices from OnePlus, Xiaomi, OPPO, and Realme. It stands to reason that we may well see the same manufacturers enjoying earlier releases of Android 12 devices.
Android 12: New Features to Get Excited About
The new operating system comes with new benefits in terms of looks, security, and support. When it comes to looks, Android 12 features a light blue tint to the interface and a new design for notifications. For the latter, there is even more than meets the eye, as notifications were made easier to customize and easier to open. Major changes were made to the Media Player interface, as well as promises of better music and gaming experiences. And when it comes to security, you may be pleased to learn that Android 12 will provide you with better services by preventing malware from tracking you.
Better support has been the main feature for new operating systems in previous years, so it comes as no surprise that Android 12 is mostly about providing users with a better overall experience while using their devices. The new OS will add more gesture support while watching videos, reading e-books, or playing games, and it is also said to support the AVIF format for better image quality. As data transparency and privacy control also improves with Android 12, users around the world have a good reason to get excited about the upgrade.
While many users are still waiting to upgrade their devices to Android 11, one thing remains certain: Android 12 will be here soon enough, and it will be worth the wait.
