Android 13 Update Tracker: Expected Release Date, Top Features, Compatible Devices, and More | Digit

Android updates are always very fascinating, as Google also keeps on adding new features and the latest bids of software updates such as Google Assistant Features, animations, themes and many more. With many phones yet to receive Android 12, Google has announced Android 13 and Android 13 Beta 1 which came recently. 

As usual, Google first released the developer preview, and then 3 Beta updates are scheduled, and once the system reaches stability, Android 13 will be launched this year. Like always, Google Pixel devices will get the update first and once Beta 2 is released a few OEMs can be expected to come with Android 13 on some of their phones. 

Further in the article, we will delve into the top features and latest information about Android 13 and also at the long-awaited release date of the OS, along with some eligible devices that are expected to get Android 13. 

Android 13 Expected Release Date

Back in February, Google released the first developer preview, and on 26 April released the first Android 13 Beta for Pixel devices. As per the timeline shared by Google, the 2 Beta released in may and Beta 3 and 4 are scheduled to release in June and July respectively. Google is expected to release the final and stable version of Android 13 in August 2022.

Android 13 Top Features

With the Android 13 update, Google has focused more on privacy and security. There are some visual changes and some of them are under the hood, these are not visually available for the users to see, but Google is adding new features to enhance the experience and user performance as well. 

Photo Picker

This new photo picker feature lets the users share photos and videos on other apps securely.  The picker 13 will bring both local and cloud pictures. All can use photo picker Apis to access shared pictures and videos, it won’t require any permission to view all media files on the device. This is a big win, as the users won’t have to worry about giving unnecessary access to all media files. 

Nearby Wi-Fi Devices Permission

The new version of Android brings the NEARBY_WIFI_DEVICES runtime permission. This permission will be required by the apps that commonly request WiFi APIs and also enables apps to use nearby WiFi without needing location permissions.

Quick Settings Tile

Google is making it easier for its users to add tiles to Quick Settings With the introduction of a new Tile API. With this developers will be able to add their apps tile directly to the active Quick Setting Tile. This also makes it easier for users to discover tiles in the quick setting area. 

More Material You Design

Google introduced this feature in Android 12 which is a system-wide theme engine. On Android 13 the company is expanding the material to all icons., allowing users to inherit the wallpapers and other themes. Developers can add a monochromatic app icon and a tweak to the adaptive icon XML, this will allow their app to the Material you Theme. 

Per-app Language

This feature has been in the talk for a while now and is finally available. With this functionality, the users can choose the language in which they want to operate a particular app without changing the default language. At first, few apps will only come with this functionality, this is a great feature for multilingual people. The settings can be accessed by heading to Settings > Apps > All apps > <select any app> > Language.

Install Apps on Guest Profile

In Android 13 if you are the owner, then you can also create a guest profile. The user will be allowed to download apps on the guest profile. The data between the guest and the owner won’t be shared. In case the guest has to use any app, then they would have to sign in. 

App Drawer in the taskbar

With Android 12L Google started prioritizing tablets and foldables. The taskbar was first found on Android 12L and version 13, if you happen to have a large screen device, this will be enabled by default and you will see six apps along with an app launcher.

Clipboard editor overlay

Google has added a new clipboard tool. When copying something (text, pictures etc) a small preview will appear on the bottom of the screen. The preview contains what you just copied and it also comes with an edit button, in case you want to quickly edit something. In case you copy an address, you will see Google Maps intent next to the edit button and the same also applies to phone numbers and links copied.

New Quick Settings Tiles

Tiles in the quick settings are the quickest way to access shortcuts. With Android 13, Google has added a few handy ones to the tiles. These include:

• Colour correction quick setting tile
• One-handed mode quick setting tile
• Security and Privacy Controls quick setting tile
• Device Controls quick setting tile to control smart home devices
• QR code scanner quick toggle

Switch Screen Resolution

This feature is already present on some smartphones. Google is bringing the ability to change screen resolution with Android 13. This option can be accessed under Display settings. Users will be able to switch between QHD+ and FHD+ screen resolutions.

Media Player Squiggly Progress Bar

The music player now supports a squiggly progress bar, instead of just a straight progress bar. The unplayed part of the media/ song stays straight, but the current playing media moves up and down like a waveform.

Predictive Back Gesture

The feature was announced as a part of Beta 2 and is a new gesture for tablets and foldables. Once this feature is completely implemented, it will let users preview the destination or other result of a back gesture before they fully complete it, allowing them to decide whether to continue or stay in the current view. 

You can enable this feature by heading to Settings > System > Developer options and then selecting Predictive back animations. 

Resource Files For Specifying Per-app Language Support

With Beta 1, Google introduced Per-app Language support and with beta 2, developers will be now able to specify what languages the app supports in the res/xml/locales_config.xml, which allows users to choose languages on a per-app basis. Once the developers update this on their app, users can go to Settings > System > Languages & Input > App Languages > (select an app) and change the language. 

Other Android 13 Features

• Optimized experience for tablets, foldables, and Chromebooks
• Flashlight toggle in a quick tap
• MIDI 2.0 support
• Activate dark mode at bedtime
• Revamped screen saver 
• NFC payment support for Work profiles
• Support for spatial audio 
• Smart home control without unlocking your phone
• USE_EXACT_ALARM allows apps to use exact alarms without needing to request this permission from the user

Android 13 Beta: List of Eligible Devices

Google Pixel 6 Pro, Google Pixel 6, Google Pixel 5a 5G, Google Pixel 5, Google Pixel 4a / 5G, Google Pixel 4 XL, Google Pixel 4

• OnePlus 10 Pro
• Realme GT 2 Pro
• Vivo X80 Pro
• Xiaomi 12, Xiaomi 12 Pro and Xiaomi Pad 5
• Oppo Find X5 Pro
• Asus Zenfone 8
• Lenovo P12 Pro
• Nokia XR20
• AQUOS sense6
• Tecno Camon 19 Pro
• ZTE Axon 40 Ultra

Android 13 List of Compatible Devices

Samsung Galaxy S series

• Samsung Galaxy S22
• Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S21
• Samsung Galaxy S21
• Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S21 G FE 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S10 5G
• Samsung Galaxy S10+
• Samsung Galaxy S10
• Samsung Galaxy S10e
• Samsung Galaxy S10 Lite
• Galaxy Tab S8
• Galaxy Tab S8+
• Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 5G 
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G 
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite

Samsung Galaxy Z  series

• Galaxy Z Fold3
• Galaxy Z Flip3
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
• Samsung Galaxy Fold 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Fold

Samsung Galaxy A series

• Samsung Galaxy A73
• Samsung Galaxy A53
• Samsung Galaxy A33
• Samsung Galaxy A51 
• Samsung Galaxy A71
• Samsung Galaxy A51 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A71 5G
• Samsung Galaxy A90 5G

Samsung Galaxy Note series

• Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G 
• Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 
• Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Note20
• Samsung Galaxy Note10+ 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Note10+
• Samsung Galaxy Note10 5G 
• Samsung Galaxy Note10
• Samsung Galaxy Note10 Lite

OnePlus

• OnePlus 10 Pro
• OnePlus 10R
• OnePlus 9 Pro
• OnePlus 9 
• OnePlus 9R
• OnePlus 9RT
• OnePlus 8
• OnePlus 8 Pro
• OnePlus 8T
• OnePlus Nord 2
• OnePlus Nord CE 2
• OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite

Realme 

• Realme GT Neo 3
• Realme GT 2 Pro
• Realme GT 2
• Realme GT
• Realme GT Neo
• Realme 9 4G / 5G
• Realme 9 SE 5G
• Realme 9 Pro+
• Realme 9 Pro
• Realme 9i
• Realme 8 Pro
• Realme 8 4G
• Realme 8 5G
• Realme 8i
• Realme 8s 5G
• Realme GT Neo 2
• Realme GT Master Edition
• Realme GT Master Explorer Edition
• Realme Narzo 30 Pro
• Realme Narzo 30 4G/ 5G
• Realme Narzo 30A
• Realme X7 Max
• Realme X7 Pro
• Realme V13
• Realme V11
• Realme Q3
• Realme Q3i
• Realme Q3 Pro

Xiaomi/ Mi series

• Xiaomi Mi 10S
• Xiaomi Mi 11
• Xiaomi Mi 11 Pro
• Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra
• Xiaomi Mi 11i
• Xiaomi Mi 11X
• Xiaomi Mi 11X Pro
• Xiaomi 11X
• Xiaomi 11X Hyper Charge
• Xiaomi 11T
• Xiaomi 11T Pro
• Xiaomi 12
• Xiaomi 12 Pro
• Xiaomi 12 Lite
• Mi 11 Lite 4G
• Mi 11 Lite 5G
• Mi 11 Lite LE
• Mi 11 Lite NE 5G
• Xiaomi MIX 4
• Xiaomi MIX 5
• Xiaomi MIX 5 Pro
• Xiaomi MIX FOLD
• Xiaomi CIVI
• Xiaomi Pad 5
• Xiaomi Pad 5 Pro

Redmi series

• Redmi 10
• Redmi 10 Prime
• Redmi 10 2022
• Redmi 10 Prime 2022
• Redmi Note 10
• Redmi Note 10S
• Redmi Note 10 Pro
• Redmi Note 10 Pro Max
• Redmi Note 10 Pro 5G
• Redmi Note 10T
• Redmi Note 10 5G
• Redmi Note 11
• Redmi Note 11 NFC
• Redmi Note 11S
• Redmi Note 11 Pro 4G
• Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
• Redmi Note 11 Pro
• Redmi Note 11 Pro+
• Redmi Note 11E Pro
• Redmi Note 11T
• Redmi Note 11 5G
• Redmi Note 11T 4G
• Redmi K40
• Redmi K40 Pro
• Redmi K40 Pro+
• Redmi K40 Gaming
• Redmi K50
• Redmi K50 Pro
• Redmi K50 Gaming
• Redmi K50 Gaming Lite

Poco

• Poco F3
• Poco F3 GT
• Poco X3 GT
• Poco X3 Pro
• Poco F4
• Poco F4 Pro
• Poco F4 GT
• Poco M3 Pro 4G/5G
• Poco C4

Motorola

• Motorola Edge 20
• Motorola Edge 20 Lite
• Motorola Edge 20 Pro
• Motorola Edge Plus 
• Motorola Edge 30 Pro
• Moto G60
• Moto G51 5G
• Moto G52
• Moto G22
• Moto G31
• Moto G40 Fusion
• Moto G71 5G

Nokia

• Nokia G10
• Nokia G20
• Nokia G21
• Nokia G50
• Nokia X10
• Nokia X100
• Nokia X20
• Nokia XR20

Oppo 

• Oppo Find N (foldable)
• Oppo Find X2 Pro
• Oppo Find X3
• Oppo Find X3 Lite
• Oppo Find X3 Neo
• Oppo Find X3 Pro
• Oppo Find X5
• Oppo Find X5 Lite
• Oppo Find X5 Pro
• Oppo Reno 6 4G/ 5G
• Oppo Reno 6 Pro 5G
• Oppo Reno 6 Pro+ 5G
• Oppo Reno 6 Z
• Oppo Reno 7 5G
• Oppo Reno 7 Pro 5G

Asus

• ZenFone 8/ Asus 8z
• ZenFone 8 Flip
• ROG Phone 5
• ROG Phone 5s

Iqoo

• Iqoo 9
• Iqoo 9 Pro
• Iqoo 8
• Iqoo 8 Pro
• Iqoo 9 SE
• Iqoo Z6
• Iqoo Z5

Vivo

• Vivo X60 Pro
• Vivo X70
• Vivo X70 Pro
• Vivo X70 Pro+