Why is there such a long time between the first rumors of a new Android update and until you finally get this update offered to your smartphone? We explain.
Android update: how it gets to your smartphone
Before a new version of Android is offered on your smartphone, that update has already had a long journey. That is why news about new features, beta versions and the update is rolled out to others first appear many months in advance. But how does that work exactly? We explain.
First rumors
Every year, a major Android update is released. The first rumors about new features start when the previous version of Android has just been released. The source code of the operating system contains references to features that have not yet been included in the update. The chances are that these features will be added in the next version of Android.
Developer Preview
Around February, the first Developer Preview of a new version of Android will be released. This Developer Preview is intended purely for developers, including smartphone manufacturers and app makers, to test new features and ensure that their devices work well with the update.
At this moment, the first concrete news about new functions that Google introduces is also appearing. However, that does not say everything. Some new functions will disappear later, while other new functions will only be added in later preview versions.
Beta Releases
Typically, the first beta version of Android is released at the beginning of spring. It is available to everyone with a Pixel smartphone.
These Beta Releases tell us more about the final version of Android. In the months after the first beta, updates with more new features are released regularly. However, these beta versions can still be quite unstable, so it is questionable whether it is wise to install them. Before you daily driver that is actually never recommended.
After a few beta versions, the new version of Android reaches ‘platform stability’. This is mainly interesting for app makers. Platform stability means that the way the new version of Android reacts when opening apps is ready. App updates can therefore already be offered in the Play Store.
Final Release
Around September, the new version of Android will be completely ready. That does not mean that everyone can download the update immediately, but that Google places the new Android on the Android Open Source Project. This is a bare version of Android that is still being modified by smartphone manufacturers to put their own stamp on it.
Rollout
Then the rollout begins. First, Google’s Pixel smartphones will officially receive the new major update. In the months that follow, devices from Samsung, Motorola, Nothing, OnePlus, Xiaomi and more will follow.
It all depends on how much work these manufacturers have on their own layer that they put on top of Android – and how many people are working on it. As a result, devices from one manufacturer get updates faster than devices from another manufacturer.
Example: Android 15
With Android 15, it is easy to see how much time there is between the first rumors, the first beta version and the actual update. The very first Developer Preview of Android 15 appeared on February 16. The first normal beta appeared on April 11, with new versions of the beta in the months that followed.
Android 15 wasn’t ready until September 3, but that only meant the update had been placed on the Android Open Source Project. It will be October until Pixel devices are the first to get the update, with other smartphones following in the months that follow.
So there can certainly be a year between the first news about a new version of Android, until you are offered the update itself. And then the news about the next version starts again. So we never have to be bored.
Also check our overview of when which device will receive the update to Android 14.
Source: www.androidplanet.nl
