Android
[Beta 1 Rolling] Google Android 13 Tracker: Everything we know so far
First published on December 24, 2021
In October 2021, Google launched the Android 12 operating system for mobile phones, which comes with radical design changes in addition to a bunch of new features. Going ahead, Google confirmed to unveil the foldable and big screen-focused version of Android 12L in the first quarter of 2022.
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Apart from this, we’ve started hearing more and more about the next major jump of Google in the segment of the Android operating system. To date, we’ve encountered a number of leaks and rumors regarding the Android 13, revealing all new features and changes coming next year.
- Read More: [List] These Samsung phones may get One UI 4.1 with Android 12 update, skipping One UI 4.0
Google Android 13 Tracker
Through this Android 13 tracker, we’ll maintain a record of all the upcoming (genuine/authentic) early info about Google’s next mobile platform.
April 26, 2022
Beta 1 Rolling
Google finally releases Android 13 Beta 1. Any Pixel device owner who wants to try out the next version of Android can download the Beta update on their phones and can give feedback for further improvements.
Google Android 13 beta 1 Features include:
- More granular access to media files: Google is introducing three new permissions:
- For images and photos
- For videos
- For audio files
- Copy/clipboard notification, like screenshots
- New ‘Control from locked device’ setting
- Priority mode reverted to ‘Do Not Disturb’
- Security & Privacy Quick tile disabled
- More ‘Basic colors’ in Wallpaper & style
- Media player squiggles
- More
March 01, 2022
Flashlight brightness adjustment toggle
It is reported that Google has seeded a new feature with the recent Android 13 release that lets users adjust the brightness of their phone’s flashlight.
To be noted, the same feature is already available in the Samsung Galaxy devices, while we can expect it to be more useful with the Android 13 software.
February 10, 2022
Developer Preview 1
On February 10, 2022, Google announced the Android 13 operating system, at the same time, began the Developer Preview ahead of its expected release later this year.
January 28, 2022
Faster games loading feature
A new report reveals that a new API is being under development that allows games to communicate their current operational state to the operating system.
If the game takes time for loading, the OS will send a nudge through to power management, followed by the CPU for a speed boost in order to reduce the load times.
January 14, 2022
Four new dynamic themes revealed
According to AndroidPolice, Google is working on four new styles of the theming system for the future Android version.
The four new color combinations are codenamed – TONAL_SPOT, VIBRANT, EXPRESSIVE, and SPRITZ.
January 13, 2022
Android 13 to allow profile switching from lockscreen
The upcoming Android 13 will allow users to switch profiles from the keyguard (PIN/pattern entry page). [Read more]
- Keyguard user profile switcher
- Home button Assistant toggle:
- More Panlingual bits:
January 11, 2022
Tap-to-transfer feature for media
Android 13 to feature a tap-to-transfer feature for media that could be similar to Apple’s Handoff feature that lets iPhone owners transfer media to and from the company’s HomePod speakers. [Read more]
January 10, 2022
Redesigned audio output picker
Android 13 will come with redesigned audio output picker. An audio output picker is a part of media controls. It is a button on the top right corner that allows users to quickly switch the output of audio or video to a phone speaker, earphones, Bluetooth speakers, or other devices. [Read more]
December 24, 2021
Android 13 early build revealed four new features
XDA-Developers reportedly got a very early Android 13 build that exposed four new features that are under development by Google. The leaked Android 13 features are as follows: [Read more]
- App Languages
- Runtime Permission for Notifications
- TARE: The Android Resource Economy
- Lock Screen Clock Layout
December 14, 2021
Android 13 to let users disable new background app limits
With the Android 13, Google is rumored to allow users to disable the background app limits (Phantom Processes). Read more
Samsung guarantees 4 years of Android OS and 5 years of security updates to Galaxy devices. Meanwhile, Google is about to match Apple’s iOS support of 7 years of OS updates, starting with the Pixel 8 series, which Samsung must replicate for Galaxy devices.
In a recent development, a leaked Pixel 8 series specifications sheet revealed that Google will pledge 7 years of Android OS and security updates. It’s about to be the same as Apple does with all of its iPhone models, beating the Samsung software policy by a big margin.
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Samsung has a big lead in the smartphone market, thanks to its longer software support. Meanwhile, Google’s tentative announcement will make a big impact on the Galaxy maker’s policy. And to maintain consumer satisfaction, the Korean tech giant must replicate Google.
Google Pixel phones currently offer three generations of OS upgrades and five years of security patches. Samsung, on the other hand, has a wide range of Galaxy devices eligible for 4 OS plus 5 years of security updates. However, Apple’s iPhones get up to 7 years of major iOS upgrades.
The US tech giant will launch the Pixel 8 series on October 4. If it has plans to extend software support, the announcement will be done during the launch. It will be interesting to see if the company includes older Tensor-powered smartphones in new support plan.
Since the Pixel 6 series, Google is bringing a self-designed Tensor chipset, equipped with AI capabilities and machine learning. The Tensor G3 is based on Exynos and is being manufactured by Samsung, with Google plans to switch to TSMC in the next few years.
As the technology is growing such faster, it’s hard to keep a phone for 7 years, as the manufacturer believes. However, Pixel users will continue to rock with their smartphone, as Google could pledge 7 OS upgrades, that will arrive with new features and enhancements.
Android 14
Samsung’s One UI 6.0 Update: Galaxy S20, Note 20, and More Left Behind, New Options for Android Enthusiasts
Android 14 will soon start to roll out for Google Pixel phones. Samsung, on the other hand, started the One UI 6.0 Beta Program for Galaxy S23 series in August 2023. Samsung consumers have high expectations with the One UI 6.0 update, but many Galaxy devices are no longer supported.
Samsung should have pledged the Android 14 update for Galaxy S20 and Note 20 series, but it didn’t. It leads the Galaxy S20 FE to ineligibility for the next major update. Launched pre-installed with Android 10, the S20, Note 20 and S20 FE devices are no longer eligible for any major upgrade.
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The popular Galaxy A series phones – Galaxy A51 and A71 have also finished their OS upgrade eligibility with the Android 13-based One UI 5.0. Now, the Korean tech giant focuses more on affordable phones, with the Galaxy A24 as a recent example, which will get 4 OS upgrades.
The 2nd generation Galaxy Z Fold smartphone was also eligible for three major updates. The company had released it with Android 10-based One UI 2.5, which means, it has also completed its big OTA lifespan with Android 13. You can check One UI 6.0 unsupported devices in the list below.
- Galaxy S20 Series
- Galaxy Note 20 Series
- Galaxy S20 FE (LTE/5G)
- Galaxy Z Fold 2 5G
- Galaxy A71 & Galaxy A51
How to get One UI 6
To experience the next Samsung mobile OS, you need to purchase a new Galaxy phone. There are a lot of sticking options, offering you a longer software lifespan across categories from budget to premium. Check the quick guide below, which embeds phones with great software support.
- Premium – Galaxy S23 series
- Bonus Tip – Galaxy S21 FE (flagship phone with affordability)
- Mid-range – Galaxy A54 and Galaxy A34
- Budget – Galaxy A24
Earlier this year, Google started working on the new Android 14 operating system, with the Stable and AOSP release likely in October 2023. Samsung started its Android 14-based One UI 6 Beta testing on select Galaxy smartphones in the recent past.
Several Samsung devices are eligible for the Android 14-based One UI 6 upgrade. And thanks to the company’s software rollout history, it’s easy to figure out which Galaxy phones will be the first to receive the One UI 6 firmware update this year.
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Samsung’s Galaxy S23 series is first in line to receive the new One UI 6 update as soon as the official unveiling happens at SDC 2023, sometime in October. However, the S23 series and more models will be invited to Beta activity to test the OS before release.
Android 14 (One UI 6) update will first rollout to these Samsung Galaxy devices
- Galaxy S23 Series
- S23, S23 Plus and S23 Ultra
- Galaxy S22 Series
- S22, S22 Plus and S22 Ultra
- Galaxy S21 Series [Uncertain]
- S21, S21 Plus and S21 Ultra
- Galaxy Z Fold Series
- Z Fold 5 and Z Fold 4
- Galaxy Z Flip Series
- Z Flip 5 and Z Flip 4
In the list we mentioned above, there’s an exclusivity of flagship devices, why not? The South Korean tech giant will first roll out the Android 14 to newer flagships, followed by older flagship models and mid-range ones. Along with them, select budget models will also join the party with new updates.
Congrats if you have an eligible Galaxy S or Galaxy Z series smartphone for One UI 6.0 software. Samsung will let you install the new OS, starting from August 2023, if it follows the same timeframe as the last year. You can check all One UI 6.0 eligible devices here.