The Latest Android Update, Features, and Everything You Need to Know

What exciting things are waiting for you in the latest Android update? Well, there are many more to explore!

The latest version of Android OS, Android 12, is about to be released. As per the Google IO 2021 event held on 18th May 2021, Google has brought significant changes in this update to provide a super sleek and eye-soothing experience to android users.

Yes, you will not be allowed to download this version straight away as it’s not officially released yet. Instead, they unveiled the beta version for you that holds something super valuable for your day-to-day usage.

Why is The Latest Android Update Important?

In general, upgrading your phone OS means more memory consumption of your phone. In some cases, more RAM consumption as well. It clearly indicates, upgrading to the new OS version on your old device may affect your phone performance. 

Then why people give such importance to upgrading their OS when it is released?

I want to mention some of the valid reasons behind this!

• Performance Improvement: Upgraded OS always doesn’t need greater RAM and ROM to offer butter-smooth performance. Especially Android OS has proved it with a great success rate.
• Security Improvement: There goes a proverb that no system is secured! Google also knows this thing. That’s why after every couple of months, they provide a security patch update.
• Battery Backup Improvement: The proper optimization of the new update and the unique features such as “Background App Disable” can help to increase your battery life and longevity.
• Bug Fixing: Almost every virtual ecosystem holds some major or minor bugs that need to be fixed ASAP. Upgrading your OS to the new android version 12 will help you in this case.
• Useful New Features: In every android update, Google offers something new that is super handy and useful for android users.

What’s New in The Latest Android Update?

Well, here comes the exciting part! If you are reading this discussion with your beloved smartphone, then there is a high chance that your phone is powered by Android 9 or Android 10.

Now the question occurs, Should you upgrade your OS to Android 12 now?

I would say, yes!

Well, let me represent some of the unique and latest android update 2021 features of Android 12 to help you to figure out the importance of upgrading your OS to Android 12.

Large Lockscreen Clock

The soothing experience begins from the lock screen panel in Android 12. You will experience some significant changes in this particular area compared to the predecessors of Android OS. When your screen is locked and you got some notification, the clock will be visible at the top side of your screen. When you remove the notifications by swiping, the clock will appear in the middle of the screen, as shown in the picture below.

Notification Toggle Section Revamp

No more tiny icons in the notification panel. Google revamped this area and came up with a new fresh-looking interface in this area. The rounded rectangular-shaped icons are handier to use now. On the other hand, it has significantly increased the butter-smooth performance. The music player icon got a new look as well. Another thing is the brightness controlling bar is way thicker compared to the older versions.

Menu/Toggle Tap Animation

Tapping on the different icons or options is common for every android user. But now, in Android 12, you are getting a little bit special. Tapping on any notification icons or any particular options from phone settings will show you a particle effect, which is a nice touch as well. The con is, when your phone brightness is too low, you will barely notice this effect.

Double Tap Gesture

Awaking screen with double-tapping on the smartphone screen is common since 2014. But now, in Android 12, you can give your phone any command by tapping on ts back twice. You can set any function you want to activate by the double-tapping gesture in the latest android update OS.

Material You!

It may seem interesting to hear the pair of words “Material You.” But this feature is present to offer something interesting. When you set wallpaper on your phone in normal condition, it will just change the wallpaper but not the other visual effects.

Here comes the beauty of Material You. When you set a particular image as your wallpaper, the advanced AI engine will determine which color is dominating, which color is just good to see when it is present, and some other factors. Considering the data Material You feature will set the appropriate color from its advanced color palette and will provide you an eye-soothing experience throughout the user interface.

Check the image below. This is how the Material You works!

Privacy Dashboard

This feature is entirely new on Android 12. We all know, nowadays most Android apps need sensitive permissions such as, Camera Access, Location Access, Internal Memory Access permission, etc to function on your phone. It eventually creates a backdoor; by misusing what, any kind of privacy breaching activity can be conducted.

To increase security, Google has introduced a separate section where you can monitor what type of data was accessed and when for a particular app. The advanced algorithm will fetch the data from any apps, even it’s functional on Google apps as well. And, the Manage Permission option is available for you, where you can manage your permission directly from the Privacy Dashboard.

Instant Indicator

Let’s say you are using a popular app on your phone. Though this is popular among millions of its users, it is notorious for privacy breach issues. But without keeping that in your knowledge, you are using this regularly. Then what may happen? They might be taking your photos without letting you know. They can track your location as well.

When you open the same app on Android 12, something interesting will happen! You will see the icons at the top right corner, and then you can understand what permissions the app is using. In that case, you can instantly turn off the permission from the notification panel.

Check out the white marked area on the image below.

What is The Latest Version of Android (Official)?

Well, as I mentioned in the first part of this discussion, the Android 12 is not officially released yet. So, if you consider the beta version, then the latest android version name is Android 12.

That indicates, till today, the Android 11 is the officially released latest android update. And Google released it on 8th September 2020.

Now almost all android devices are taking place in the market with this OS version. And there is a high possibility that you are reading this discussion with Android 11. If so, I want to mention some hidden features of Android 11 that you may find handy to use in your day-to-day usage.

• Advanced media control
• Built-in screen recorder
• Schedule based dark theme
• Advanced controlling option for smart devices
• Wireless android auto
• Context-based voice command
• App-pinning functionality to the share sheet
• Eye-soothing chat bubbles
• Advanced privacy setting for enterprise users
• Notification history

Android 12 Compatible Devices

As per the declaration of Android Developers, Google released the Android 12 beta version for 12 smartphone brands till today. The list of compatible devices for each brand has been mentioned below. 

• Asus: Zenfone 8
• Google Pixel: Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 3a, Pixel 3a XL, Pixel 4, Pixel 4 XL, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), Pixel 5
• One Plus: One Plus 9, One Plus 9 Pro
• Oppo: Oppo Find X3 Pro
• Realme: Realme GT
• Tecno: Camon 17
• TCL: TCL 20 Pro 5G
• VIVO: iQoo 7 Legend
• Xiaomi: Mi 11, Mi 11 Ultra, Mi 11i, Mi 11X Pro

Hopefully, soon for other devices such as Samsung S21, Mi 11, etc., Android 12 will be available.
Check out my other article on 9 Greatest 8GB RAM Mobile Phones if you like.

Want to Upgrade To Android 12 Beta? Hold On!

If you want to upgrade your OS, it’s okay when you are a developer or advanced user, who has proper knowledge regarding Android OS, how to root a phone, how to set up a custom ROM on your device, etc. But for end-level users, HERE IS THE DISCLAIMER!

• Fact-1: This is just a beta version, not official. So there still needs vast improvements.
• Fact-2: This version does not support OTA (On The Air) update. So if you face a terrible experience using this, you have to get back to the old OS manually. And the process is a little complex.
• Fact-3: You will lose device warranty whenever you change your phone OS. Keep that in your mind before upgrading.
• Fact-4: Again! Upgrading to Android 12 is not recommended for a non-techy person.

FAIR ADVICE: As per the report of Google Developer, Android 12 is passing its third phase of the Beta version. Hopefully, at the end of this year, Google will release the official version. If you are not so knowledgeable in technology, then my recommendation will be to wait till the OS is officially released.

Outro Words

Since the inception of Android, Google is always conscious of providing the best and most convenient support to its users. By introducing the latest android update considering users’ responses, this operating system got tremendous acceptance among its users. Google is working on another operating system, Fuchsia, that will be compatible with every smart device. Before that, Android OS will dominate for at least 10 more years for sure.