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Today, after months of beta tests, Google released its latest software updates for smartphones, tablets, and more, and that's Android 12. Google is uploading the source code to AOSP today, but unfortunately, the Google Pixel Android 12 update won't arrive for a few more weeks. So here's what you need to know.

What's New in Android 12?

By far, the most significant change in Android 12 is the new Material You design and customization engine. Google explains it as a tweak that "seeks to create designs that are personal for every style, accessible for every need, alive and adaptive for every screen." Basically, the entire interface of your phone is customizable or can automatically change to fit your unique style. For example, users can set a new background wallpaper and Material You will completely change everything to match the style and color palette.

Google

And while customization is great, that's just one small aspect of a much larger update. Android 12 brings a slew of new features, improved performance, better privacy controls, enhanced features, and improvements throughout. Here's a quick list of what you can expect when the update hits your phone:

  • Material You Design
  • Redesigned Widgets
  • Notifications Interface Update
  • Stretch Overscroll and smoother scrolling
  • App launch splash screens
  • One-handed mode
  • Faster, more efficient system performance
  • Optimized foreground services
  • More responsive notifications
  • Performance classes
  • Faster machine learning
  • Privacy dashboard
  • Approximate locations
  • Microphone and camera indicators for privacy
  • Nearby device permissions
  • Rich content submission
  • Rounded screen corners
  • AVIF image support
  • Compatible media transcoding
  • Easier blurs, color filters, and effects
  • Enhanced haptics
  • New camera effects and sensor capabilities
  • Android 12 for games
  • and more

Again, this is just a shortlist of the many changes in Android 12, and you can read more here.

With today's arrival in AOSP, Google expects developers to continue to get apps ready for Android 12's official launch and global rollout, which isn't ready quite yet. So while Android 12 is here, you won't be getting an OTA update for a few more weeks.

In fact, Google's own Android 12 page says, "Until the rollout of the Android 12 official release to Pixel devices and Android TV, please continue to use the Beta 5 images for your testing."

When Will Your Phone Get Android 12?

Android 12 logo on a Google Pixel 5
Justin Duino / Review Geek

As we mentioned above, this isn't the official release of Android 12 to devices worldwide, at least not yet. Google released Android 12 to AOSP, developers can continue to build and test apps for compatibility, and users can start compiling ROMs if they'd like.

However, your Pixel, Samsung, OnePlus, and other phones won't get Android 12 for at least a few more weeks.

Google says, "Keep an eye out for Android 12 coming to a device near you starting with Pixel in the next few weeks and Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Tecno, Vivo, and Xiaomi devices later this year."

Those of you with a Pixel 3, Pixel 4, or Pixel 5 only have a few more weeks to wait. Then we can expect other manufacturers to release the update as well quickly. Furthermore, Google confirmed it'll be sharing more details about Android 12 and the rollout on October 27th at the Android Developer Summit event.

Basically, this release of Android 12 is for developers, and Google will begin the official global rollout of Android 12 for the Pixel in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

Source: Google Blog