Many people are still waiting for Android 11 to arrive on their phone, but Google is sure that they are already working on Android 12. While we still don't know much about what the next big Android update will offer, there are already some tips, which you'll find below, along with information on the probable release date. Then, further down, you'll find a wish list of the top things to expect from Android 12. And be sure to check back often, as we'll update this article whenever we hear something new about the software coming.
Come to the point
- What is it? The next big Android update
- When did it come out? Probably September 2021
- How much will it cost? It's free!
Android 12 release date
We may get our first official Android 12 preview soon, as Google often releases developer previews in the early months of the year. Android 11, for example, arrived as a developer preview in February 2020. Then in May, at Google IO, we'll probably see the first public beta: this is the first version aimed at general consumers, and they could appear as well. many new features here. As for the final version of Android 12, it's likely to arrive in September as per above, though initially it's likely only on a small number of phones, including the Google Pixel 5 and Google Pixel 4a, as well as the new Google Pixel 6. assuming such a phone is released. It will be up to device manufacturers to bring Android 12 to your phone and it often takes months, so don't be surprised if your specific device doesn't get Android 12 until 2022.
News and Leaks
There isn't much news about Android 12 yet, but Google has already said one thing about the update. In a blog post, the company said Android 12 "will make it even easier to use other app stores on your devices while making sure you don't compromise the security measures put in place by Android." Google hasn't said how it will work. It's possible to access other app stores on Android, but that may mean highlighting some of them, or just making the option more visible.Beyond that, Android 12 could make it easier for Google to deliver some updates.XDA Developers noted that the company plans to make the Android Runtime (ART) a mainline module in Android 12. This would allow the company to deliver more operating system updates through the Google Play Store, rather than conventional over-the-air updates. it can mean more frequent updates, and more importantly, you won't have to wait for your phone manufacturer to send you the update. Though many updates are still expected to ship to the old fashioned way.
What we want to see
Android 11 is in pretty good shape, but there's always room for improvement. The following things are at the top of our wish list.
1. A whole new look
Android hasn't had a real visual overhaul in a long time, not since Material Design landed in 2014. That's a good look, and you could argue that maybe Google shouldn't change things just for the fun of it. But freshening things up with a new design language could make the next version of Android that much more exciting.
![iOS 14]()
iOS 14 lets you stack widgets (Image credit: Apple) With iOS 14, Apple added a lot of features that have long been found in Android phones, including widgets, but it did include one very useful feature for them that we'd like to see. Google will copy. We're talking about the Smart Stack feature, which allows you to create a stack of widgets on your home screen that you can browse or just let the operating system choose which one to show you based on how you use your phone. For example, if you always check the weather forecast early in the morning, then you could display a forecast at the top of the stack, before switching it to something else later in the day. It's a neat way to avoid cluttering your home screens with widgets, while ensuring that the ones you want to see the most are always visible.
3. Support for various phones
Perhaps the biggest problem with Android is simply that newer versions don't always make it to older phones. While no device is supported forever, many only get two years of updates, and some get even less. So with Android 12 we want there to be a real push to keep devices supported for longer, and ideally also to get those devices updated faster as we often wait months for the new version. Android on some phones. Part of that will depend on Google making it easier for device manufacturers to update their phones faster and easier, but the rest will likely fall to the manufacturers themselves.
4. End of annual updates
![Androide]()
(Image credit: Shutterstock) We've already pointed out that annual Android updates may no longer be necessary. It's an arbitrary time, and sometimes there aren't many updates to be made. So instead of a big, or at least high-level, update once a year, we'd like to see new features coming to Android throughout the year, when they're ready. We're already getting smaller updates throughout the year, usually to fix bugs and improve security, but we don't see any reason why core features couldn't be a part of that as well.
5. All functions on all phones
Not only not all phones get the new version of Android, but those that do not always have all the features. There are many reasons for this. First, Google often withholds certain features to make them exclusive to the Pixel range. An example of this from Android 11 is app suggestions instead of the standard app dock, a feature that (optionally) fills the bottom row of apps on your home screen with the ones you'll want. more access at any time. . The other reason some features don't reach all phones is that Google doesn't require developers to integrate all features. An example of this is the "conversations" section in the notifications dropdown list. It's a handy feature that separates chat notifications from all your other notifications. It's one of the coolest additions to Android 11, but manufacturers don't have to offer it on their phones. Not having access to features makes Android updates less interesting, so we'd like to see that changed.