While Android 12 brought a new look, Android 13 should bring in refinements that users have been asking for.
After the release of Android 12 in 2021, followed by the subsequent releases of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, we’re already wondering what the next version of Android will bring. Since its debut in 2008, Android has always brought a major feature with every headline release. But with Android 13, codenamed Tiramisu, it could be a perfect time for Google to fine-tune what’s already there in the millions of Android smartphones around the world. We’ve combed through our Pixel, OnePlus, and other Android phones to roundup five features we’d like to see arrive in Android 13 later this year, no matter how major or minor these may be. But first, we’ll run you through when we expect it to land and which Android phones will likely be supported. We’ll also look at the features we already know about, as the developer preview is out now, complete with a few Android 13 features. A new Android version usually appears for developers in February and indeed the first developer preview of Android 13 is now available, having launched on February 10, and a second preview has since followed. These early releases give developers a heads up as to what should be appearing in the fall of that year, allowing them an idea of what they could implement for future versions of their apps. Google has also revealed an Android 13 roadmap which you can see above. From this you can see that the first proper beta might land in April, with a stable release in June, likely to coincide with Google I/O, which we now know kicks off on May 11, then a shipping date in September. Though October is possible too, as that’s when Android 12 landed. Android has a reputation for not making it easy to update your phone to the latest version. Part of it is due to the different manufacturers on how they have designed Android to match a brand, such as Samsung. But with Google releasing a new Pixel phone every year, these usually come with the latest Android version. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see a Pixel 7 or a Pixel Fold appear with Android 13 in October again to start with. Other manufacturers usually follow after a few months of testing and putting their own spin on the new Android release, but it’s usually not until the first half of the next year. We don’t know much about what Android 13 will offer yet, but the first developer preview has revealed some features, with a second developer preview revealing more. Eagle-eyed developers have recently spotted signs that Android 13 could support the use of two numbers (and two carriers) on a single eSIM at the same time – technology that Google patented back in 2020. Meanwhile, Google’s dynamic theming (which changes the color of icons to match your wallpaper) will now work with third-party app icons.
