The software giant Google just rolled out the final beta version of its latest iteration of mobile OS - Android 12. It is believed that the company will soon roll out the stable version of the operating system. So soon, there are claims regarding the next big iteration of the OS. While the Android 12 stable version is awaited, it is said that the next iteration will be a minor update.
As per XDA Developers, the next iteration of the OS expected to see the light of the day in the coming months will be the Android 12.1. It notes that the new update should be rolled out soon to the Pixel 6 series smartphones.
Notably, Google stopped releasing Android operating system versions with minor updates a few years back. These are called point updates and the last such point update was with the rollout of Android 8.1 Oreo. Since then, the company did not bring point updates but only major Android versions every year.
Next Android Version Details
Going by the report, developers are advised by Google to update their apps for API level 31, which is the framework API delivered by Android 12. For Android 11, the API level is 30 while the processor was 29. This makes it clear that the API level bumped with each version of Android OS.
Fresh evidence spotted within AOSP Gerrit suggests that the API level 32 is related to Android 12 sc-v2 and not Android 13 T. Moreover, in a code change, a Google developer changed the API level hinting that a new NDK API will be 33 and not 32.
To put these technicalities in simple terms, it looks like Google will release an interim update that lies between Android 12 and Android 13. This version will be called the Android 12.1 point release. Also, there is a possibility that the new API level will not be accompanied by a new version number.
Android 12 Update
For those awaiting the Android 12 update, it is a major update with a revamped UI. Only the Google Pixel smartphones will be able to experience the complete redesign. The major highlights of the version are the support for a theming system, quick settings menu, a redesigned lock screen, new animations, a new widget system, new privacy settings and more.