Android 12

Basic Information

• Model: Android 12
• Version: 12 (API level 31)
• Release Date: Publicly released on October 4, 2021, through Android Open Source Project (AOSP). It became available for supported Google Pixel devices on October 19, 2021.
• Minimum Requirements:
  • RAM: Minimum 2GB for the system, with 3GB recommended for average user experience.
  • Storage: Minimum 8GB for the OS installation.
  • Display: At least 2 inches on the short edge and 2.7 inches on the long edge for logical screen.
• Supported Operative Systems: Android 12 is a mobile operating system. It runs on a wide range of devices from various manufacturers, including Google Pixel (Pixel 3 through Pixel 6 and 6 Pro), Samsung, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme, Tecno, Vivo, Xiaomi, Nokia, Motorola, Asus, and others.
• Latest Stable Version: Android 12.x (specific point releases vary by device and manufacturer).
• End of Support Date: Google officially ended security patch support for Android 12 and 12L as of March 31, 2025.
• End of Life Date: March 31, 2025, as Google ceased providing official security updates.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not explicitly defined by Google for the OS itself, but tied to the end of support date, after which devices no longer receive official security updates.
• License Type: Open Source (Apache License 2.0 for AOSP components).
• Deployment Model: Primarily deployed via Over-The-Air (OTA) updates to compatible devices or pre-installed on new devices. It can also be installed via system images for developers and advanced users.

Technical Requirements

• RAM:
  • Minimum for system: 2GB.
  • Recommended for average user experience: 3GB.
  • For "Performance Class 12" devices: At least 6GB.
• Processor: Android 12 is optimized for a wide range of ARM-based processors. Specific clock speeds or core counts are not universally mandated, but performance class requirements imply capable CPUs.
• Storage:
  • Minimum for OS installation: 8GB.
  • System partition size can vary, often around 6.5GB for the OS itself, but can be up to 10-15GB or more due to A/B partitions and manufacturer customizations.
• Display:
  • Minimum logical screen size: 2 inches on the short edge and 2.7 inches on the long edge.
  • For "Performance Class 12" devices: 1080p resolution with 400 PPI or higher.
• Ports: USB port with peripheral mode support is required for data access from a host computer, preferably using Media Transfer Protocol (MTP).
• Operating System: Android 12 is the operating system itself. It requires compatible hardware to run.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

Android 12's technical requirements are tiered, reflecting Google's strategy to support a broad spectrum of devices from entry-level to high-end. The base requirements are modest, allowing for deployment on budget-friendly hardware. However, the introduction of "Performance Class 12" sets higher standards for premium experiences, particularly in media and camera capabilities, demanding at least 6GB of RAM, high-resolution displays, and fast storage speeds. This tiered approach ensures scalability while pushing hardware innovation for advanced features. The storage requirement of 8GB for the OS is a baseline, but real-world usage often sees larger system footprints due to A/B partitioning for seamless updates and OEM customizations.

Support & Compatibility

• Latest Version: Android 12 (specific point releases vary by device and manufacturer).
• OS Support: Android 12 runs on a diverse ecosystem of smartphones and tablets. Initial support included Google Pixel devices (Pixel 3 to Pixel 6/6 Pro) and quickly expanded to flagships and mid-range devices from major OEMs like Samsung, OnePlus, Oppo, Xiaomi, and others.
• End of Support Date: Official security patch support from Google concluded on March 31, 2025.
• Localization: Supports a vast array of languages and regional settings, with new APIs for localized user-readable labels for biometric authentication.
• Available Drivers: Device manufacturers (OEMs) are responsible for providing and updating hardware drivers compatible with Android 12 for their specific devices. Google provides a Compatibility Definition Document (CDD) that outlines requirements for device makers to ensure compatibility.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

Android 12 enjoyed broad compatibility across numerous devices upon its release, reflecting its position as a major Android iteration. However, its official support lifecycle from Google has concluded as of March 31, 2025. This means devices running Android 12 no longer receive direct security updates from Google, shifting the responsibility to individual device manufacturers. While some OEMs may continue to backport security patches, many older or budget devices may cease receiving updates, posing potential security risks. Localization support remains robust, a standard for the Android platform. Driver availability is device-specific, relying on OEM commitment to updates, which can vary significantly after Google's official support ends.

Security Status

• Security Features:
  • Privacy Dashboard: Provides a comprehensive overview of app permissions and data access (location, camera, microphone) over the last 24 hours.
  • Microphone and Camera Indicators/Toggles: Visual indicators appear when the microphone or camera is in use, with quick toggles to disable access system-wide.
  • Approximate Location: Users can grant apps access to only an approximate location instead of precise location data.
  • Private Compute Core: A secure, isolated environment for processing sensitive data, particularly for AI and machine learning features.
  • Clipboard Access Notifications: Users are notified when an app accesses clipboard data from another app.
  • Improved Password Complexity: For work profiles, IT admins can set pre-defined password complexity levels (high, medium, low) instead of granular rules.
  • Enrollment-specific IDs for Personal Devices: Enhances privacy for employee-owned devices by using programmatic identifiers instead of hardware IDs like IMEI.
  • Zero Trust Security Model: For enterprise deployments, access to corporate resources is continuously verified.
  • USB Signaling Control: IT admins can disable USB signaling for anything other than charging to mitigate USB-based attacks.
  • App Hibernation: Unused apps can be put into hibernation, removing permissions and freeing up space.
  • Hardware-backed Brute Force Protections: Continues to leverage hardware-backed protections against brute-force attacks.
  • SafetyNet Attestation API and Google Play Protect: Integral security services that help ensure device integrity and protect against Potentially Harmful Applications.
• Known Vulnerabilities: As of March 31, 2025, Android 12 no longer receives official security patches from Google, making it vulnerable to newly discovered exploits. Critical vulnerabilities (e.g., CVE-2024-43093 for remote code execution and CVE-2024-50302 for privilege escalation) have been identified impacting Android 12 through 15, with active exploitation reported.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable to the OS itself, but individual apps or devices can be blacklisted by Google Play Protect if found to be malicious.
• Certifications: Android 12-compatible devices must pass the Compatibility Test Suite (CTS) and Google Mobile Services (GMS) Test Suite to receive GMS licensing.
• Encryption Support: Continues to support robust encryption standards for user data at rest and in transit.
• Authentication Methods: Supports various authentication methods including PIN, pattern, password, fingerprint biometrics, and face unlock (device dependent). New APIs provide localized, user-readable labels for biometric authentication.
• General Recommendations: Users on Android 12 are strongly advised to upgrade to a newer Android version (13 or later) or acquire a device running a more recent, supported OS due to the cessation of official security updates.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

Android 12 introduced significant privacy and security enhancements, such as the Privacy Dashboard, microphone/camera indicators, and approximate location permissions, giving users greater control over their data. For enterprise users, features like improved password complexity and enrollment-specific IDs bolstered device management and data protection. However, the critical factor impacting its current security rating is the official end of Google's security patch support as of March 31, 2025. This means that while the initial design incorporated strong security principles, devices running Android 12 are now increasingly susceptible to new vulnerabilities without official patches. Recent critical vulnerabilities affecting Android 12 and later versions highlight this risk. Therefore, while Android 12 was secure at its launch, its current security posture is compromised due to the lack of ongoing official updates, making an upgrade highly recommended.

Performance & Benchmarks

• Benchmark Scores: Specific benchmark scores for Android 12 as an OS are not typically published independently, as performance is heavily dependent on the underlying hardware (SoC, RAM, storage). However, devices launching with or upgrading to Android 12 generally showed performance improvements compared to previous Android versions on similar hardware.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: Android 12 brought a smoother UI experience with redesigned animations and transitions ("Material You"). It introduced "Performance Class" standards, allowing apps to identify and leverage higher-performing devices for demanding tasks like media processing, indicating an expectation of improved real-world performance on capable hardware.
• Power Consumption: Android 12 included optimizations for system resource usage, such as a stricter App Standby Bucket for less responsible apps and restrictions on background foreground services, aiming to improve battery life.
• Carbon Footprint: Not directly measured for the OS itself. However, power consumption optimizations contribute indirectly to a reduced energy footprint for devices running Android 12.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Compared to Android 11, Android 12 offered a significant visual overhaul with Material You and enhanced privacy features. Performance improvements were noted, especially on devices meeting the new "Performance Class" criteria, with some benchmarks showing 5-10% improvements in performance and power efficiency on devices with at least 4GB of RAM.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

Android 12 delivered a noticeable boost in user experience through its "Material You" design language, characterized by fluid animations and a more responsive interface. The introduction of "Performance Class" standards was a key development, enabling developers to optimize app experiences for devices with specific hardware capabilities, ensuring that high-end devices could fully leverage their power for demanding media and camera tasks. Power consumption was also a focus, with background process limitations contributing to better battery management. Overall, Android 12 represented a refined and optimized operating system, offering improved performance and efficiency, particularly on modern hardware designed to meet its performance class specifications.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews for Android 12 generally highlighted its significant visual redesign ("Material You") as a major strength, bringing a fresh, customizable aesthetic to the Android experience. The enhanced privacy features, including the Privacy Dashboard and microphone/camera indicators, were widely praised for giving users more control and transparency over their data. Performance improvements and smoother animations were also frequently noted as positive aspects. However, some users reported initial bugs and compatibility issues with certain apps or device-specific implementations, especially shortly after its release. The rollout speed to non-Pixel devices was also a common point of frustration. Recommended use cases include users who prioritize personalization, modern aesthetics, and robust privacy controls. It is particularly well-suited for devices that meet or exceed the "Performance Class 12" requirements to fully experience its visual and functional enhancements.

Summary

Google Android 12, released in October 2021, marked a significant evolution in the Android operating system, primarily characterized by its "Material You" design language and a strong emphasis on user privacy. The OS offered a highly customizable and visually appealing interface with fluid animations and dynamic theming based on wallpaper colors. Key strengths included a comprehensive Privacy Dashboard, clear indicators for microphone and camera usage, and the option for approximate location sharing, empowering users with greater control over their personal data. Performance optimizations and the introduction of "Performance Class" standards aimed to ensure a smooth and efficient experience across a wide range of devices, particularly for media-intensive applications.

However, Android 12's primary weakness, as of the current date, is its end-of-life status for official security updates from Google, which ceased on March 31, 2025. This leaves devices running Android 12 vulnerable to new security threats and exploits, as evidenced by recent critical vulnerabilities impacting this version. While device manufacturers may continue to provide some updates, the consistency and longevity of such support are uncertain, especially for older or less premium devices. Technical requirements were scalable, accommodating both entry-level and high-end hardware, with premium experiences demanding at least 6GB of RAM and high-resolution displays.

In conclusion, Android 12 was a landmark release for its design and privacy innovations, offering a highly personalizable and secure experience at its prime. However, its current status as an unsupported operating system by Google means it is no longer recommended for devices handling sensitive data or requiring the latest security protections. Users are strongly advised to upgrade to Android 13 or a newer version to maintain a secure and fully supported mobile environment. For those unable to upgrade, limiting sensitive activities on Android 12 devices and ensuring all available manufacturer updates are installed are critical interim recommendations.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.