While developers and tech media dive into the fifth and final beta release for Android 12, there is also now speculation as to when the official, stable release of Google’s 2021 software will be available.
There is word Android 12 could release as soon as October 4, according to XDA Developers.
The publication’s Editor-In-Chief, Mishaal Rahman Tweeted out an internal document, which details that Google would make Android 12’s source code available publicly on its Android Open Source Project (AOSP) on the abovementioned date. This would likely coincide with Google making the Android 12 stable release available to its Pixel brand of devices.
Current rumors suggest that the Pixel 6 series, which Google has already confirmed is on the way, could be announced on October 19. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are set to release running Android 12 as their native software. The Pixel 5a, which has been available since late August, is also new Google hardware that would quickly update to Android 12 once it is available.
Rahman also noted that the document not only details when the new software will become available but also when older software will lose support. Manufacturers need to be approved to run currently certified Android builds on their devices before they can then be approved to use Google Mobile Services (GMS).
Once Pixel devices are released and updated with Android 12, other manufacturers will likely be in a race to get their devices up to date.
PhoneArena noted brands, including OnePlus, Oppo, and Xiaomi might be among the first to update to Android 12, while Samsung is notorious for lagging behind. Its rollouts might not begin until December, and newer models may not see the update until early next year.
