Weekly poll: what do you think of the changes and improvements brought by Android 12?

Peter, 10 October 2021

What do you think of Android 12? While there are plenty of beta testing programs going on, we know that few of you have actually tried it out. But you can check out our review for a detailed look at the new version.

Here are the highlights:

Android 12 new features at a glance:

  • Automatic theming system based on your chosen wallpaper
  • New Material You design language throughout the OS and Google apps
  • New widget picker in the Pixel Launcher, with new widgets for Google apps
  • Redesigned Quick Settings with integrated smart home controls
  • Fresh new lock screen and Always-on Display look
  • Universal on-phone search in the app drawer
  • Easy link sharing from Recents
  • Extra Dim screen setting, improvements for picture-in-picture and auto-rotate
  • Support for scrolling screenshots
  • New Power menu, new setup wizard, and new emoji
  • Improved performance and fluidity
  • New Privacy Dashboard, camera and mic usage indicators

Admittedly, some of those are exclusive to Google’s own Pixel phones, the new widget picker and the Wallpaper & Style app, for example. But maker skins have their own launchers and configuration apps.

There are plenty of new features that may or may not be carried over to skins. Quick settings and the Power menu have been redesigned, picture-in-picture mode has been improved, you can now copy links from the Recent apps screen, unused apps can be hibernated, scrolling screenshots are now supported natively and so on. Again, check our review for a closer look at the new features.

Wallpaper based custom colors Themed shortcuts Themed widgets
Wallpaper based custom colors • Themed widgets

New Quick settings New Quick settings New Power menu
New Quick settings • New Quick settings • New Power menu

According to Google, phones from Samsung, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Tecno, vivo and Xiaomi will be updated to Android 12 before the end of the year. Typically, this means several of the flagship offerings from each company.

Many other phones will have to wait their turn, perhaps for months, before they can jump to version 12. Makers have started advertising their support timelines as a reason to pick their phone – usually it includes 2 or 3 OS updates and an extra year of security patches. Even so, some phones will remain on whatever version of Android they are running today.

The Android 12 beta proved to be the most downloaded beta in Android history “by far”, so there’s clearly a lot of excitement for the new OS version. Are you excited?

If the embedded poll above isn't working for you, you can also cast your vote here.

Assuming you like what you see, what is your favorite part of Android 12 - the new Material You interface design or the new features?

You can also cast your vote here.


Related

Reader comments

  • HateAndroid
  • 25 Sep 2022
  • 381

I had an iPhone, I bought an android hoping to save cost. It was a mistake. It had android 10 when I bought it and received two updates so far to 11 and 12. Both were bad: 12 is just a joke. Without my permission it updated to 12 and one morning I se...

  • Anonymous
  • 17 May 2022
  • BtF

What should we do with these clowns from Google? They keep messing things up than actually fixing anything based on opinion from users (almost same with Apple clowns).

  • Anonymous
  • 22 Apr 2022
  • ncN

It is ugly - I hate it and desperately want to go back.

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