Android 12.1 just tipped Google’s foldable phone strategy

Android 12.one merely tipped Google's foldable phone strategy

(Epitome credit: Waqar Khan)

The impending Android 12 release has many Android fans excited, as it'southward a big change for Google'due south mobile Bone. But we're already looking to what's next and that could be coming a lot sooner than Android 13.

Courtesy of XDA Developers, we have screenshots of a leaked internal build of Android 12.1, which looks to offer a large screen/tablet UI for the first time in many, many years. This build looks to offering foldable phones better utilise of their screen real manor, including a taskbar (like the one that the foldable Galaxy Z Fold three has).

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Android used to have a defended tablet UI style back on Android iv.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, just Google slowly stripped that out for its own reasons. Ever since, Android tablets oasis't been very good and left the iPad with practically no competition. Samsung looks like it'southward the final holdout for this product category.

But since foldables seem to be growing in popularity, Google might have figured now was the time that Android needed a big screen UI once again. That could as well have something to do with the rumored Pixel Fold, as well. Google likes to broil in native support for form factors that it has a direct interest in, such as the notch support in Android nine Pie and the hideous-looking Pixel 3 XL that came out that same twelvemonth.

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android 12.1 big screen ui with taskbar — (Paradigm credit: XDA Developers)

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android 12.1 notification shade ui — (Paradigm credit: XDA Developers)

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android 12.1 lock screen — (Image credit: XDA Developers)

XDA is under the impression that Android 12.1 — if that is what Google ends up calling information technology — could launch alongside the Pixel Fold, which would make sense. The other noteworthy thing nigh this update is that Google plans to open source the Monet theming engine (which is what powers the Cloth Y'all theming in Android 12).

We look Android 12 in the next week or two, with the Pixel 6's announcement not long after that. Meanwhile, I'm with XDA on this Android 12.1 churr. I don't recollect that Android 12.1 will come out earlier the terminate of this year, especially if the Pixel Fold doesn't launch until late 2021. Google looks like it's all in on the Pixel line this yr and information technology appears that information technology'south making sure that Android itself is up to the chore of bankroll these new phones.

Jordan is the Phones Editor for Tom's Guide, covering all things phone-related. He'south written about phones for over five years and plans to continue for a long while to come. He loves zip more than relaxing in his home with a volume, game, or his latest personal writing project. Jordan likes finding new things to dive into, from books and games to new mechanical keyboard switches and fun keycap sets. Jordan tends to lurk on social media, but you can best reach him on Twitter.