Android 12 brings design update, more security and can now be downloaded in beta version

(CNN Spanish) – Google announced the Android 12 beta as the first big preview of the next version of the company’s operating system that will arrive in the coming months.

In February, Google enabled the first preview version of Android 12 dedicated to developers and now on May 18 the company enabled the first beta version to allow not only developers to start testing some of the new features that will reach all kinds of Android phones in a few months.

It is worth bearing in mind that although Android 12 beta is available, it is not recommended to install it on your main cell phone because it generally contains errors that can impair the operation of the device in an important way, among other things.

Cell phones on which you can download Android 12 beta

Google revealed How to update cell phones to Android 12 beta and not only Pixel phones (3 to 5) are compatible, but also some cell phones from Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Asus, TCL, Tecno, Sharp, Vivo and ZTE can download the first version beta of this operating system.d

What phones can be updated to Android 12 beta so far?

• Google Pixel 3
• Pixel 3 XL
• Pixel 3a
• Pixel 4
• Pixel 4a
• Pixel 4a 5G
• Pixel 5
• Asus Zenfone 8
• OnePlus 9
• OnePlus 9 Pro
• Oppo Find X3 Pro
• Realme GT
• Tecno Camon 17
• TCL 20 Pro
• I live iQOO 7 Legend
• Xiaomi Mi 11
• Xiaomi Mi11 Ultra
• Xiaomi Mi 11i
• Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro
• ZTE Axon 30 Ultra

Despite this, it is expected that later Samsung cell phones can be updated to Android 12, as well as Sony, LG and Lenovo. In addition, more Xiaomi, OnePlus, Oppo, vivo and Realme cell phones could be updated to Android 12 once the final version arrives.

When will the Android 12 update be officially available?

So far, Google has released three previews for developers and a beta version. Google estimates that there will be a total of four beta versions and that the final version will begin to be enabled after August 2021.

(Credit: Google)

What’s new in Android 12

The Android 12 update will continue to evolve in the coming months through different beta versions that allow Google to optimize the operating system update, as well as add and sometimes remove some functions as usual.

Despite this, Android 12 beta allows us to better understand what important news it will bring for some cell phones that use the most popular operating system in the world.

These are some of the most important news:

• Big change in design and with more customization
• Animations and more fluid
• New widgets
• Better privacy and security
• Better performance

Big change in design: «Material You»

The last generations of Android have focused mainly on bringing a refinement or some new functions that seek to improve the experience we have on our cell phones, but the Android 12 update not only brings those news, but also the biggest change in design that we have received in recent years.

The main idea of ​​the design is made up of different parts: customization, more color, more dynamic content, more curves, new widgets and bigger components.

(Credit: Juan Garzon / CNN)

The Start screen doesn’t seem to have any major changes initially, but the widgets can give it a new look.

First, the widgets now have a more circular or oval design, as well as colorful. When you move the widget across the screen, the color may change to have a hue that better matches the area of ​​the wallpaper where you are placing it. In addition, Google brings a new conversation widget to group your favorite contacts.

The notifications and quick settings panel is undoubtedly the biggest big change that can be noticed when using a cell phone with Android 12 beta.

(Credit: Juan Garzon / CNN)

When you open the notification panel there is no longer a translucent space at the bottom but the screen is divided with higher quality between notifications and quick settings.

Notifications are now integrated into a panel, in the middle can be the music widget that allows you to control playback immediately and at the top are the quick settings that are now rectangles that expand when you fully open that panel. There you now also have access to Google Pay and smart home controls.

Both notifications and quick settings take up more space than before, so they can allow you to interact better with them, but they also mean that you can see less content at the same time.

On the other hand, on the lock screen the clock adapts better to the content you have there. For example, if you don’t have any notifications, the clock is made larger to make it more readable, while if you have notifications, it is placed smaller at the top.

(Credit: Juan Garzon / CNN)

The volume controls and the color screen for the unlock PIN also receive a new design. The configurations change their order a bit and also their design.

In addition, the animations also try to demonstrate more fluidity and congruence across the different panels, while new animations can also be perceived through the interface.

(Credit: Juan Garzon / CNN)

More privacy and security

The Android 12 update seeks to keep you more informed of what is happening on your cell phone.

The privacy dashboard is a place where you can see the permissions you have, the information that is being accessed and not only which apps are doing it, but also how often.

Also, Google has added a new indicator in the status bar to tell you when the microphone or camera is active. In addition, Google has placed an option in the quick settings to be able to completely disable or enable these two components throughout the system.

On the other hand, the Android 12 update also allows you to grant apps access to your location, but you would have the option to choose an approximate location and not the exact location.

In addition, Google also introduced Android Private Compute Core to offer security in features such as Live Caption (real-time subtitles), Now Play (automatic music detection) and Smart Reply (intelligent responses) to allow the technologies that allow the operation of these. it only happens on the device, isolated from the network.

Better overall system performance and efficiency

Google optimized Android 12 to allow the system to be faster, respond better to commands, and better utilize battery and CPU capacity.

Other new features of the Android 12 update

• Android TV / Google TV virtual remote control built into Android 12
• Greater integration with Chromebooks
• Car key functionality via NFC or UWB

Android 12 diversity: it is not, nor will it be the same for everyone

Although these are the main novelties that Google brings to Android in this new version, the appearance and experience may continue to vary across manufacturers as usual.

Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, ZTE, Realme, Oppo and other manufacturers can still continue modifying the interface, as well as adding and removing some of the functions that Google integrates into its operating system.