Things are now slowing down after a wave of significant software updates that were released in large numbers just in July. In any case, there are many software updates in the works, and we've covered them in this week's roundup of Android software updates. A small number of Android OEMs and all the Pixel devices were thrilled when Android 12 was released in August.
Some reputable brands in the Android industry successfully installed Android 12 on their flagship handsets as the year 2022 got underway. The titans like Samsung continue to provide overwhelming software support, while newer brands like OnePlus and Xiaomi have struggled. August flew by quite quickly, and even though Android 12 has been installed on many devices, not all flagships have.
Devices Lined Up for Today
Samsung
Galaxy Tab S8
Galaxy Note 10
Galaxy A12
Vivo
Vivo X80 Pro
iQOO 9 Pro
Google Pixel 6a
Google Pixel 4a
OnePlus
OnePlus 9
OnePlus 10 Pro
Xiaomi
Mi 3A
Nokia
Nokia 3.4
Nokia 5.4
Asus
Zenfone 9
Now that you know which Android brands and their respective models will be getting an update this week, time to dive in deeper.
Samsung
Galaxy Tab S8 Trio Gets Android 12L Update
The Taskbar functionality introduced with the Galaxy Z Fold 4 returns with the Android 12L upgrade. It remains at the bottom of the screen and makes switching between applications and multitasking easier. It enables apps to open rapidly in pop-up or split-screen modes. The most commonly used app pairs can also be pinned and opened using it.
You may now transition between fullscreen and split-screen views using a new two-finger gesture. Apps can be opened in a floating window or split screen using the app handle. App names can now be shown on the Edge Panel thanks to the new software. The Galaxy Tab S8 series can extract text from any image and share it with any app thanks to One UI 4.1.1.
Galaxy Note 10 August Security Update is Out
Three weeks ago, the August 2022 security update for the Galaxy Note 10 series began to roll out. The upgrade, meanwhile, was only available for those cellphones' foreign models. The update has now arrived in the US and is accessible for the devices' carrier-locked models.
Firmware version N97xUSQS7HVH1 is the most recent upgrade available for the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ that are carrier-locked in the US. The upgrade is currently active on the Xfinity Mobile network, but we anticipate it to quickly spread to other networks over the coming days.
Galaxy A12
The most recent Samsung smartphone to receive the August 2022 security update is the Galaxy A12. The Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 were the first devices to receive the organization's most recent security patch. Then, additional high-end and mid-range Galaxy handsets received the update, and later, lower-end devices started receiving it.
Firmware version A127FXXS6BVH4 is the most recent software update for the Galaxy A12, and it is accessible in Russia. Within the next several days, the update might be made available in additional markets. The updated firmware includes the August 2022 security patch, which addresses numerous flaws in Samsung Knox, Samsung DeX, inappropriate access control, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi MAC address leaks, and other areas.
Vivo
Vivo X80 Pro and iQOO 9 Pro Get Android 13
The Google Pixel phone series is presently receiving the Android 13 stable upgrade. The Android 13 update is now available for the Vivo X80 Pro and the iQOO 9 Pro in India, but it is only accessible to a select group of customers who were accepted into the Android 13 preview programme, which was launched last week. Only 1000 customers will be qualified to get the update, as iQOO and Vivo stated they were only admitting 500 users for each handset. The release date for the stable update's wider rollout hasn't been disclosed by either company.
Users in India who were accepted into the Android 13 Preview Program for the Vivo X80 Pro and iQOO 9 Pro can now install the update.
Simply navigate to Settings > System Update. Before receiving the Android 13 stable update, Vivo X80 Pro users must first update their device to the most recent 12.0.12.7 version number.
In India, the Android 13 update is now available for the iQOO 9 Pro and Vivo X80 Pro. However, only 1000 chosen customers who signed up successfully for the preview program that was revealed last week can access it. The companies promised that once the preview event was done, they would receive the stable upgrade through push notification, but they haven't yet made any mention of a larger roll out. The precise timeline information is not yet made public.
Google Pixel 6a and Pixel 4a Get Android 13
The Android 13 update has already begun rolling out to the Google Pixel 6a and Pixel 4a, the two mid-range Pixel phones available in India. The action was taken in response to claims that the latest Google flagship phones, the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, will also be receiving Android 13 globally. The Android 13 update should also be available to anybody who have acquired the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices in India (as they have not yet been formally released there).
On the Pixel 6a or Pixel 4a, you can reach the software update section of the phone from the Settings menu, and the most recent Android version should appear as a Software Update.
Those who own the Google Pixel 6a, 6 or 6 Pro should be aware that they will not be able to reverse their upgrade if they are dissatisfied with how Android 13 functions on their phone.
In light of this, it might be wiser to hold off until Google releases an updated version of Android 13 that fixes any software bugs that might have an impact on smartphones. According to reports, Google Pixel 6a customers receive an upgrade with a 1.06GB file size, compared to Pixel 4a users who receive an upgrade with an 855MB file size.
OnePlus
OnePlus 9 OxygenOS C.63 Update Fixes Camera Bug with August Security Update
With a brand-new OxygenOS 12 update, OnePlus has begun rolling out the August 2022 security updates to the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro after releasing the June 2022 security patches for the OnePlus 9 series late last month. The 751MB update includes the most recent security fixes and some camera enhancements.
Users of the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro in India have already begun receiving OxygenOS C.63, despite the fact that OnePlus hasn't yet created an official announcement thread for the update on its community forums. The update adds a new Text Scanner function to the camera app, three new filter styles, and the Android security patches for August 2022, according to screenshots posted by user nishad.ck007 on the OnePlus community forums.
OxygenOS C.63 changelog:
- System
- Updates Android security patch to 2022.08
- Camera
- Adds Text Scanner which support to scan and import text to your phone with the camera.
- Adds three filter styles, including Radiance, Serenity and Emerald.
- Adds Long Exposure to adjust exposure time, including Movie vehicles, Water & clouds and Light painting options.
- Adds Movie and Dual-view Video modes to improve the user experience.
Xiaomi
Mi 3A Latest Software Update Could be the Last
The Xiaomi A3 is the company's final smartphone running the now-defunct Android One operating system. After receiving the August security patch, the mid-range phone that was introduced three years ago now seems to have reached the end of its useful life.
For the European and Global versions of the phone, respectively, the new update for the Mi A3 comes with the software version numbers "V12.0.23.0 RFQEUXM" and "V12.0.26.0 RFQMIXM." Incredibly light at 10.45 MB, the OTA's changelog boasts bug fixes, enhanced security and performance, and performance optimization.
The Mi A3 will probably never receive another scheduled OTA after this one. The first over-the-air update (OTA) for the Android One phone was probably delivered in August of this year.
Nokia
Nokia 3.4 and Nokia 5.4 get Security Updates
Evidently for the devices that are still using Android 11, new security upgrades are now available for the Nokia 5.4 and Nokia 3.4. The June security patch for Nokia 5.4 has reportedly started to appear on users' handsets. The 47.96 MB update is limited to fixing the security flaws from June.
The June security patch was also applied to the Nokia 3.4. The update is around the same size as a patch for Nokia 5.4. Although Android 12 is already installed on the Nokia 3.4, the handset I use at home is still running Android 11. It received the security patch between May and June. Funny enough, that is the same fix as in Android 12's 3.4.
Asus
Zenfone 9 gets Android 13
Android device makers have increased their efforts and are working behind the scenes to get Android 13 to their devices as a result of Google releasing it to AOSP. While OnePlus has so far seeded two beta builds of OxygenOS 13, an Android 12-based operating system, for the OnePlus 10 Pro, Samsung is already conducting its One UI 5 beta program for the Galaxy S22 series. In an effort to keep up, Asus has joined the fray and has opened registration for the Android 13 beta build of the ZenFone 9.
On its ZenTalk forums, the business provides a helpful FAQ about the beta program. It indicates that the program is private, thus screenshots and information about the changes cannot be made public. In addition, Asus reassures customers that installing the beta OS won't void their phone's warranty. You must go to Setting > System > System Update in order to register for the beta program. Next, choose Enroll in the Beta Test Program by clicking the gear icon in the top-right corner of the page. After that, you must agree to the beta's terms and log in using your Asus account.
Wrapping Up
That's all we have for you in the final week of August with Android OEM updates. Be sure to tune in next month if you are among those expecting a software update for your Android smartphone or tablet.