Mick Jagger sang, “I’m not waiting for a lady, I’m waiting for Android 13.” Similar. Google released Android 13 beta 4, a release candidate (RC), last month, suggesting an earlier release than planned. Last year’s Android 12 wasn’t released until October 19th. Is it an early Android 13 launch?
Google hints at Android 13 in September
Google’s August security update for Pixels featured an Android 13 Security Release that noted “Android 13, as released on AOSP, would have a default security patch level of 2022-09-01.” That means Pixel 4 users will get Android 13 next month. Should you install the Android 13 beta on your Pixel now or wait for the official release?
Android 13 will ship with the September 2022 security patch, but that doesn’t tell us anything about Google’s Pixel plans. The open-source version of Android 12 (AOSP) was released two weeks before the Pixel update, so Google may do the same again.
In February 2022, Google released Android 13’s developer preview. It released the first beta a month early, before Google I/O in May.
Google has launched Android 13 Testing 4 for the Pixel 6a, indicating the beta programme could go a while. If Android 13 was about to arrive, there’d be no reason to let the 6a into the beta programme.
Those who have loaded the beta say it works easily and improves the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro’s lagging under-display fingerprint sensors. Android 13 beta 4 was a release candidate, but Google had to fix issues. Android 13 beta 4.1 was recently issued as a “minor update”
- A bug prohibited an app from setting or disconnecting Bluetooth without the BLUETOOTH CONNECT permission, even if it was targeting an API level where the permission is not required. (232107689)
- When connecting to particular WiFi networks, the device will sometimes crash and reset. (237308339, 237886229, 237878437)
- Meet connectivity dropped while driving.
- Fix for improper GPS data interpretation.
While the upgrade is modest, installing the beta and having your device crash and reset when connected to Wi-Fi is not. Nor is misinterpreting GPS data.
Android 13 is just around the corner, and we hope manufacturers adapt and integrate it soon. This new version of Android has many expectations, which we intend to test shortly.
Also read: Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and Pro pictures leak