There’s a good chance that Android 13 is still so fresh on your Pixel phone that you still haven’t decided if it’s good, bad, or what the new features. I’m here to tell you that it’s time to move on and start thinking about Android 14. Not because I want to, but because Google is already talking about it. Sorry, folks.
On the Android Beta Program landing page, Google updated much of the text to reflect the fact that Android 13 has gone stable and that the program will continue on into September with a new Android 13 Quarterly Platform Release (QPR) update. We’ve talked about this next update in depth here.
Where the updates to this change become interesting is in the FAQ section, where we get an official mention of Android 14 and when we might see it. Google answers a question of “How long does each beta program last?” by saying that “Android 13 QPR beta updates continue through March 2023 followed by Android 14 beta releases.” In other words, following a potentially final Android 13 QPR release in March 2023, we should be on to April 14 beta builds.
Now, this timing matches up to Android 13 betas from earlier in the year, in case you were wondering. The first Android 13 Developer Preview builds showed up in February and March before the first Android 13 beta in April. All Google is telling us is that they plan to releasee Android 14 beta builds after March 2023, likely matching the Android 13 beta program.
Android 14!
// 9to5Google
I wonder if Android versions start dropping faster (like 3-4 Android OS releases in 2 years) means phones that have OS support for something like ‘2 years’ (which would normally be assumed to be 2 upgrades) would get more than just two OS upgrades…
So my wife and I need to buy new phones, as our Android 7 (Nougat) LG K20 Plus phones are extremely obsolete. At the time of purchase, no one knew as yet which Android phones would qualify for Version 8 (Oreo). Several months later, I learned to my dismay, that not only would our supposedly “midrange” LGs NOT qualify for Oreo, but also NOT even receive the bump to 7.1!! I was pissed @ LG, then of course shortly afterward, they left the smartphone mfg biz altogether. As a “parting gift” to their former customers, NONE of their drivers or software for connecting via USB via tether were supported any longer, either. I will never buy another LG product again!!
Rant aside, I was considering the Motorola MOTO G Stylus 5G 2022 which was released last spring…BUT it comes w/Android 12 which already makes it a version behind since 13 is now out. And since Motorola’s phone support isn’t exactly the best, that will mean by ~late spring next year I will again own 2 phones with an outdated OS. I live on a fixed income, my wife doesn’t work anymore and if I wait for Google Pixel 7 release, it will be in high demand initially, and its is possible that w/o pre-paying for 2, it might be a couple, if not a few months more of a wait with our current budget carrier, who is very unlikely to offer any discounts on that phone, unlike the Motorola. Oh and btw…I am not interested in the compromise bridge Pixel 6a.
You may want to look at the mid-range Samsung phones. They will have way better software support than Moto.
That’s so unfortunate because the Moto software experience is better since it’s pretty close to stock Android.
How is the Pixel 6a a “compromise bridge”? It seems clear that you are in the market for a mid-range device and you want good software support. The Pixel 6a fits that well. The Pixel 5a would probably be even better but I don’t think you can get that anymore.
If you’re looking to save money, the most bang for your buck may be buying a 1-2 year old device from Swappa or eBay. Something like the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE currently sells for $205-250 depending on the condition and seller. OS updates will stop with A13 and security goes until 9/2024. Lots of other options on those sites as well depending on what features are most important to you and your budget.