ISSUE 88 • ANDROID ADVISOR 17and the final, full releaseof the software
comingin theautumn.
The first developerpreviewof
Android 12 wentliveon 18 February,
grantingdeveloperstheir first chance
toreallysinktheirteethintotheupdate
(withthesecondpreviewtouching
downon 17 Marchandthethirdon 21
April), beforeGoogleofficiallyrevealed
thenewOSatitsannualI/Odeveloper
conference,launchingits first public
betaatthesametime(thesecondpublic
betawas then released on 9 June).
In the past few years, Android has
adopted the following release pattern:
Android 9
First public beta: 8 May 2018
Full version release: 6 August 2018
Android 10
First public beta: 7 May 2019
Full version release: 3 September 2019
Android 11
First public beta: 10 June 2020
Full version release: 8 September 2020
Android 12
First public beta: 18 May 2021
Full version release: Tbc
If you want to download Android 12
Beta 2, we explain how on page 29.
COMPATIBLE PHONES
Now, this is where things can get
complicated. Android still suffers from
horrendous fragmentation, which means
some phones get the new software
straightaway,othersfollowonweeks
ormonthslater,whilea fairchunk
won’tget it at all.
If you want to guarantee moving
to the next version of Android, then
you’ll want to buy one of Google’s
own Pixel phones, such as the Pixel
5, Pixel4aorPixel4a5G,allofwhich
getpreferentialtreatment due to the
factthatGoogleknowstheexact
make-upofeachphone’shardware
configurationand software.
Any phones on the Android One
platform, such as many Motorola and
Nokia handsets, also get the newer
versions quickly, although usually only
for up to two years after they were first
released (in most cases).
You should also be able to expect
swift(er) updates to the new operating
systemfromanyofthebrandslisted
inour‘HowtodownloadAndroid 12
Beta2’ featureonpage 29.NEW FEATURES
One of the main areas of excitement for
any new version of Android is, of course,
which new features Google introduces.
Here are all the features confirmed