Android 12 will probably be the “easiest” annual version of the operating system for partners to upgrade to. Android 13 will probably be yet easier than that.
The expected release date of Google’s newest operating system was reaffirmed with a list of devices. Devices that’ll likely gain access to Android 12 will vary from the list of devices that’ll have access to the first wave of Developer Beta.
The list of devices Google works with to test the latest operating system developer beta will be comparatively limited. The full list and the Android 12 release schedule will expand beyond the first few lists.
Android 12 Release Date
We don’t have an official release date yet. However, if history is any indicator, there are just a handful of days that the first Android 12 Developer Preview might land on.
The developer beta release timeline in the year 2021 will likely closely resemble that of last year. This fact only means that we’ll probably see an initial release of the Android 12 developer beta later this week or early next week. Anytime before the end of February 2021 or the first week of March.
According to Android Police, the final stable release usually happens in Q3 around August or September. Last year, Google also started the habit of pushing bug-fixing updates between those planned releases, and people expect that to continue.
It is expected that the following devices will gain access to the Android 12 Developer Beta at launch or soon after that. Take note that this list is not yet official.
- Google Pixel 5, 4a, 4a 5G
- Google Pixel 4, 4XL
- Google Pixel 3, 3XL, 3A, 3A 5G
Here are the devices less likely to attain access to Android 12 Developer Preview, but still possible:
- Motorola Edge, Edge+
- Nokia 5.4
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G
- Realme 8, X9
- Xiaomi Mi 11, Poco F2
- OnePlus 9, 9 Pro
Everything else you need to know
Google’s design concept revealed that there would be a new notifications UI for Android 12 phones. This new idea replaces the current transparent look with a light beige opaque. The hue might change if Dark mode is enabled. Each notification’s rounded corners are more easily viewable.
In addition to that, Google also reduces the number of Quick Settings icons to four from six. These little icons will pop up when the notification panel is expanded from the top.
As for the final finished version of the 12th OS, Google will “make it even easier for people to use other app stores on their devices while being careful not to compromise the safety measures Android has in place.” This fact is according to a blog post the company releases.
Images used courtesy of Avdan/YouTube Screenshot