Android 13 launched: New features and list of phones getting the upgrade

Google has released the new Android OS today. Internally codenamed ‘Tiramisu’, Android 13 has been made available for Google Pixel first, with rollouts for other smartphones to follow soon. Android 13 builds on the foundation laid down by Android 12 and further finesses the aesthetics and interface of the operating system. In this article, we explain what new features Android 13 has to offer and give a detailed list of eligible phones that will receive the upgrade.

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Android 13: What’s new?

Android 13 comes with upgrades across all fronts, be it the System UI or Privacy Settings. Android is looking to build upon ‘Material You’ and give its users greater control over what their phones look like. You can expect this to be a running theme in later Android upgrades as well. Here are some of the major new features users will notice in Android 13.

• When it comes to privacy, the latest Android update will not allow apps to access your entire internal storage if you want to share just one file. The clipboard will also get cleared periodically in order to secure any emails or passwords you’ve copied on there. Apps will now require permission before they can post a notification. Earlier this feature was opt-out, but now it has been made opt-in.

• Android has also increased its colour palette for themes in Android 13. In the previous version, the OS generated 5 tonal palettes using the colours in your wallpapers. These palettes could be used to pick the colour theme for icons on your home screen. Now, you can apply these changes to apps as well. The new upgrade also generates a lot more colour palettes, giving you more control over the customisation. This feature was earlier only available on Google Pixel, but will now be rolled out for all Android devices.

• The redesigned media player can change its appearance based on the music you’re listening to. A larger volume slider has also been provided in the new media player. You can also assign individual languages to different apps, instead of changing your System language altogether.

• Android 13 comes with Bluetooth LE audio, the next-gen Bluetooth standard that offers higher quality audio and lower power consumption. With TWS becoming the standard, this new tech will be extremely useful in coming smartphones. Android 13 will also have spatial audio with head tracking support, which produces a more immersive sound that seems like it’s moving along with your head.

List of smartphones that will get Android 13

Android 13 has been rolled out for Google Pixel initially, with software updates for other smartphones expected in the coming months. These Google Pixel smartphones can update their system software and begin using Android 13 today:

Pixel 4

Pixel 4XL

Pixel 4a

Pixel 5

Pixel 5a

Pixel 6

Pixel 6 Pro

Pixel 6a

According to Google’s blog post, Android 13 will be made available for other smartphone manufacturers in the coming months. Here is the list of Android 13 eligible phone manufacturers.

Samsung

Asus

Nokia

iQOO

Motorola

OnePlus

Oppo

Realme

Sharp

Sony

Tecno

Vivo

Xiaomi

and more.