The primary preview of Android 12 will be available at some point in February 2021. Google is already preparing developers for the arrival of the new version of the operating system. Now you will find the release date, design, new features, and everything you have to know about android 12
The XDA-Developer site has managed to get their hands on some screenshots that show the completely new interface. As usual, new features are also expected to land.
Design of Android 12
Several screenshots of Android 12 were leaked on February 9, 2021. They come from an internal Google document that XDA Developers managed to obtain. The latter offers a first look at the design of the OS.
beginning with the notification drawer, which adopts an opaque beige background unlike the transparency effect of the past. The color you choose fits perfectly into the background image of the home screen. Google also made a redevelopment. The menu now only displays 4 icons for quick actions
the icons for WiFi, Airplane mode, energy-saving, and night mode have been revised The plan of notice cards is likewise evolving. These at this point don’t traverse the full width. One would thus be able to recognize them all the more unmistakably individually and they embrace adjusted edges.
New features of Android 12
The same internal document lifts a corner of the veil on the new features of Android 12. Google seems to be preparing new options for easier control of privacy settings. Widgets will also have a prominent place in the new version.
Protect your privacy more easily
Since Android 10, Google is gradually tightening the screw against intrusive applications. The firm is continuing its momentum and visibly intends to offer a new “privacy” or “confidentiality” interface which makes it possible to easily deactivate certain sensitive components such as the camera, the microphone or even the GPS for location. An “Advanced” option allows you to view more settings to control your privacy.
A new “Conversation” Widget
Google is working on a new interface to manage all available widgets. A new widget should also make its entry. Called “Conversation”, it allows recent messages, missed calls or even your contacts’ activities to be gathered in one place. The unveiled screenshot shows that this feature will be compatible with at least two messaging apps: WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
When will Android 12 be available?
Google follows a whole schedule every year until the stable release of the latest versions of Android. The beta phase is preceded by several technical pre-releases. After skipping previews with Android 10 (Google went straight to beta), the company returned to a more traditional program with Android 11.
In February 2020, Google launched the first technical preview for developers. It should follow a similar schedule with Android 12. We expect the first preview sometime in February 2021, and then the first beta by June. Last year, Google rolled out 4 pre-releases and 3 betas between February and August before the final version in September.
Compatible smartphones: which models will get Android 12 first?
In 2019, Google opened the beta of Android 10 to a handful of partners. With Android 11, only Google Pixels were able to test the OS before the stable version was deployed. We do not know Google’s intentions for Android 12 but by September, the first manufacturers should launch their own beta program as was the case last year at Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo or Realme.
For the beta, here are the smartphones that will definitely receive it in the coming weeks:
- Google Pixel 5
- Google Pixel 5, 4a, 4a 5G
- Google Pixel 4, 4XL
- Google Pixel 3, 3XL, 3A, 3A 5G
As for the final version of Android 12, it will be compatible with most smartphones of the past three years. Manufacturers typically offer limited support for two major versions of Android in addition to the one available at launch. With the exception of a few rare brands like OnePlus and now Samsung.
At its August 2020 conference dedicated to the presentation of the Galaxy Note 20 series, the manufacturer announced a change in policy. It has committed to delivering three major Android updates to its smartphones, up from two previously. In other words, its smartphones launched in 2019 including the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 should receive Android 12.
