Google has officially released Android 12. However, this does not mean your phone will get the update today itself, even if you own a Pixel. That's because Google is taking a slightly different approach to releasing a new version of Android this year.
Which Phones Will Be First to Get Android 12?
Typically, Google tends to push a new version of Android to AOSP (the Android Open Source Project) and release it to its Pixel phones on the same day. This time around, though, the company has only pushed Android 12's source code to AOSP, with the update coming to Pixel phones first "in the next few weeks."
An AOSP release of Android means that Google has released the final source code of Android 12, allowing other Android OEMs to build their skin on top of it.
The following Pixel phones are in line to get the Android 12 update first in the coming weeks:
- Pixel 3 and 3 XL
- Pixel 3a and 3a XL
- Pixel 4 and 4 XL
- Pixel 4a and 4a 5G
- Pixel 5
- Pixel 5a
After Google Pixel, the likes of Samsung, OnePlus, OPPO, Realme, Xiaomi, and others will also start updating their devices to Android 12 over the coming weeks and months.
OnePlus, OPPO, and Samsung are already running an Android 12 beta program for their selected devices. Samsung Galaxy S21 owners can follow our guide on how to install the One UI 4 and Android 12 beta. OnePlus has also released the first OxygenOS 12 open beta based on Android 12 for the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro.
Do note that since OEM skins based on Android 12 are still a work in progress, they are bound to be a bit buggy and have stability issues.
What's New in Android 12?
Android 12 brings a revamped new Material You design with a wallpaper-based theme engine, and redesigned widgets and notification panel.
There's also a new Privacy Dashboard, improved privacy measures including the ability to share approximate location with apps, improved performance, battery life optimizations, and much more.
