Google I/O 2022: Android 13, Pixel 6a, and Other Expectations

Apr. 14, 2022

As is always the case, we expect Google to unveil the latest iteration of Android — Android 13 Tiramisu – at the event. Thanks to developer previews, we have a rough idea of thetop Android 13 featuresahead of the release.

Key highlights of Android 13 we know so far include themed icons for third-party apps, app-specific languages, redesigned media player and output picker interface, and a weekly view in the privacy dashboard. That said, do keep in mind that Android 13 brings incremental changes over Android 12, and you shouldn’t expect drastic changes like we saw last year.

We have seen two Android 13 developer previews so far. Looking ahead,Google will release four beta buildsbefore the final release sometime in the third quarter of the year. Here are the Pixel phones that will receive the Android 13 update:

Based on the leaks, we could expect a 6.2-inch OLED display, first-genTensor chipset, Pixel 6’s design, 12.2MP primary + 12MP ultra-wide rear cameras alongside 8MP front camera, 6GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. According totipster Jon Prosser, Google will announce the Pixel 6a at the event, with availability set for July 28. Moreover, this will be thefirst Pixel phone in the a-series to launch without a headphone jack.

Going by a recentreporton9to5Google, Google may launch a new Nest Hub with a detachable tablet form factor. According to the report, the Nest smart display will have a removable screen that you can use as a tablet. Meanwhile, the base portion equips the speaker. We could also expect newer versions of the company’s existing smart speaker lineup, such as the Nest Audio speaker and Nest Mini.

To wrap up the list, we have Google’s long-rumored foldable Pixel Fold. It is now expected to launch as thePixel Notepad. Google may offer us a first look at the compact design of the Pixel foldable, which will have the Tensor chip under the hood. As9to5Googlereports,Google may price the Pixel Notepad lower than the Galaxy Z Fold 3at around $1,799.

Although we doubt Google would launch the foldable at the event, we could expect to see at least a teaser. Google will rival the likes ofVivo X Fold,Oppo Find N,Xiaomi Mi Mix Fold, and Samsung’s foldable offerings.

Subin writes about consumer tech, software, and security. He secretly misses the headphone jack while pretending he’s better off with the wireless freedom.