The release of a new version of a mobile operating system always arouses keen interest among gadget owners. Android 12 has become one of the most significant updates in recent years, bringing a radical redesign of the interface called Material You, improved privacy settings and performance optimization. Users are massively looking for information about whether their specific model will be included in the list of lucky ones or will remain on the old firmware version.

The process of distributing an update is extremely heterogeneous and depends on the policy of a particular manufacturer. If the owners of “pure” Google Pixel were among the first to gain access to betas, then users Samsung, Xiaomi or OnePlus have to wait for adapted shells One UI, MIUI and OxygenOS months. It is important to understand that the presence of powerful hardware does not guarantee an update, since vendors often limit support for budget lines.

In this article we will analyze in detail the official lists of supported devices from leading brands, technical requirements for installation and the nuances of switching to a new system. You will learn how to check the availability of an update manually and what to do if your smartphone is on the exclusion list. The information will help you make an informed decision about buying a new phone or waiting for a patch for your current device.

Official list of Google Pixel smartphones

The company Google traditionally sets the pace for the entire industry, releasing reference devices that are the first to receive new features. Android 12. The search giant's support policy is quite loyal: devices receive major OS updates within three years from the date of release. This means that even two-year-old models have a high chance of migration.

The list of guaranteed supported devices includes all phones in the line Pixelstarting from the third generation. Owners of these gadgets can expect not only a basic security update, but also exclusive features such as an improved Do Not Disturb mode and new clock widgets. It is worth noting that the Pixel 4a 5G i Pixel 5 series also received full support, despite the use of mid-level processors.

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Pixel owners should check for updates through the "System" menu, since OTA packages come in waves depending on the region and telecom operator.

Below is a table with models for which the update is already available or is in the final testing stage:

Device model Year of release Update status Current shell
Google Pixel 6 / 6 Pro 2021 Out of the box Android 12
Google Pixel 5 / 5a 2020 Available Android 11 → 12
Google Pixel 4a / 4a 5G 2020 Available Android 10 → 12
Google Pixel 4 / 4 XL 2019 Available Android 10 → 12
Google Pixel 3a / 3a XL 2019 Final version Android 11 → 12

Interestingly, Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XLreleased in 2018, were formally eligible for the update, but Google officially stopped supporting them during the beta testing phase due to RAM limitations. This is a precedent that shows that a three-year support cycle is not an absolute guarantee if hardware resources are exhausted.

⚠️ Warning: If you have an unlocked bootloader (bootloader), installing an official over-the-air update may be blocked by security. You will need to temporarily return the stock bootloader image.

📊 What Google Pixel device do you have?
Pixel 6/7
Pixel 4/5
Pixel 3 or older
I have a different brand

Android 12 support on Samsung smartphones

The South Korean giant Samsung updates its devices within the framework of its proprietary shell One UI 4.0, which is based on the code Android 12. The company has significantly expanded the list of supported gadgets, including not only flagships, but also popular models in the mid-segment series Galaxy A. This is a positive shift that will extend the life cycle of budget devices.

The update brings key design changes to Samsung devices, including redesigned quick settings panels and a color palette extracted from wallpapers. However, users should be prepared that some old features Bixby or specific camera settings may be changed or removed in the new firmware version. The installation process often requires a reboot and takes up to 30 minutes depending on the speed of the flash memory.

Why is the update delayed?

Samsung is conducting additional testing of its One UI shell on top of pure Android. This guarantees stability, but increases the waiting time compared to the Google Pixel.

The list of main models receiving the update is as follows:

  • 📱 Flagships: Galaxy S21, S20 (all versions), Note 20, Note 10.
  • 📱 Folding devices: Galaxy Z Fold 3, Z Fold 2, Z Flip 3, Z Flip.
  • 📱 Middle segment: Galaxy A52, A51, A72, A32.
  • 📱 Budget segment: Galaxy M52, M32, F52.

Owners of devices from the Galaxy S10 i Note 10 series should be especially vigilant when updating. While these phones are powerful, they are at the edge of the support cycle. Before starting the download, it is strongly recommended to create a full backup of your data via Samsung Cloud or Smart Switchas failures when moving between major versions of One UI occur more often than with minor patches.

⚠️ Attention: In some markets, the update for A-series models may arrive with a delay of 2-3 months relative to global version. Check the information in the application Samsung Members.

Update status for Xiaomi and Redmi devices

The situation with the ecosystem Xiaomi has always been difficult due to the huge number of models being produced. Updating to Android 12 is implemented through the shell MIUI 13. The company adheres to a gradual rollout strategy, starting with top models on processors Snapdragon 8 series and gradually moving down to budget solutions on Helio and old Snapdragon.

Users often encounter a situation where the global version of the firmware is delayed relative to the Chinese one. This is due to the need for certification Google GMS and adaptation to different regions. If you are using a device with an unlocked bootloader and custom recovery, installing an official “microphone” may void the warranty or require a complete flashing via Fastboot.

☑️ Checking Xiaomi's readiness for update

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Key models confirmed to receive MIUI 13 Android-based 12:

  • 🚀 Flagships: Xiaomi 11 (all versions), Mi 10, Mi 10T.
  • 🚀 Sub-flagships: Xiaomi 11 Lite, Mi 11i.
  • 🚀 Redmi Note series: Redmi Note 10, Note 10 Pro, Note 10S.
  • 🚀 POCO series: POCO F3, POCO X3 Pro, POCO M3 Pro.

It is worth paying attention to the models of the Redmi 9 i Note 9series. For many of them, Android 12 will be the last major update to the operating system. After this, the devices will switch to receiving only security patches. This is an important point for those who plan to use the phone for several more years - it may be worth thinking about replacing the gadget in the near future.

⚠️ Attention: Owners of devices with global firmware (Global ROM) may not receive the update at the same time as users of the Chinese version. The official list for your region is published on the forum MIUI.

OnePlus, OPPO and other vendors

The brand OnePlus, which recently joined forces with OPPO, has released an update in the form of a shell OxygenOS 12. This caused a lot of controversy in the community, since the new version became visually and architecturally very similar to ColorOS from OPPO. However, support for older flagships remains at a high level.

Device OPPO and Realme are also actively receiving updates. In particular, the series Realme GT and OPPO Find X3 demonstrate excellent optimization. Users of these brands should monitor notifications in the application Software Updateas push notifications often arrive without the ability to manually check in the first weeks of release.

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The merger of the code bases of OnePlus and OPPO speeded up development, but changed the familiar OxygenOS interface, which is worth considering when updating.

List of popular models receiving support:

  • 🔹 OnePlus: OnePlus 9, 9 Pro, 8, 8 Pro, 8T, Nord.
  • 🔹 OPPO: Find X3 Pro, Reno 6, A94.
  • 🔹 Realme: GT, GT Master Edition, 8 Pro, 7 Pro.

For owners of OnePlus 7 i 7T the situation remains ambiguous. Officially, support for these models was supposed to end with Android 11, but thanks to the community lobby, some features have been ported over. However, you should not count on stable official firmware with Android 12 for these devices - the risk of bugs and problems with autonomy is high.

Technical requirements and compatibility problems

Switching to Android 12 imposes certain requirements on the hardware of the smartphone. The new system is more demanding on the amount of RAM and storage speed. Devices with 3 GB of RAM may experience instability, experiencing constant downloads of applications from the background. This is due to new memory management processes and enhanced privacy services.

One ​​of the common problems after the update is increased battery consumption in the first 3-5 days. The system indexes files, optimizes databases, and trains neural networks for adaptive brightness and battery functions. If the problem persists after a week, it may be that some third-party application is not compatible with the new APIs.

adb shell dumpsys batterystats --reset

This command via ADB helps reset the battery statistics if you want to manually calibrate the charge indicator after installing the update. However, for the average user, it is enough to just let the phone work as usual for a couple of days.

What is Project Mainline?

This is a mechanism for updating key Android components through the Google Play Store, bypassing manufacturers. This means that even on the old Android 11, some functions of Android 12 may be available.

It is also worth mentioning the problem with the operation of banking applications. Some banks require you to re-link your device or reset your biometric settings after changing the OS version. This is a security measure associated with changing system hashes and encryption keys Keystore.

⚠️ Attention: If after the update the phone starts to get very hot in standby mode, check the battery usage statistics. Often the culprit is the “Media Server” process or a frozen social media application.

How to check and install the update manually

You don’t always need to wait for push notifications. You can force checking for a new version through the device settings. This method is safe and is the standard way to receive an update. Before you begin, make sure that you have a stable Wi-Fi connection, as the package size can exceed 2-3 GB.

Action algorithm for most devices:

  1. Open the application Settings.
  2. Go to section System or About phone.
  3. Find item System update or Software Update.
  4. Click the button Check for updates.

If an update is found, the system will prompt you to download and install it. During the installation process, the phone will reboot several times. It is strictly forbidden to interrupt this process —