Poll: How are you enjoying Android 12 so far?

Google Pixel 6 Pro + Pixel 6
Google Pixel 6 Pro + Pixel 6 (Image credit: Alex Dobie / Android Central)

Stable Android 12 has been available for a couple of weeks now, whether you own an older Pixel smartphone or a new Google Pixel 6. There's a lot to like about it, from the new Material You design language and themes, to the new privacy and security settings. However, not everything is perfect, and some changes may be less than favorable for Pixel owners.

So how are you enjoying Android 12 so far? Is it what you hoped it would be?

There are a lot of new features with Android 12. For example, widgets are much cleaner and more functional. In addition, there are dedicated hubs for privacy and security, you can search for content within apps from the on-device search engine, there's finally a dedicated game mode, and so much more. So far, it seems to be a much bigger update than the transition from Android 10 to 11, and as mentioned before, there's a lot to like about the update.

However, nothing is perfect, and some of the changes can be quite divisive among users. For example, the new Internet tile that does away with the individual Wi-Fi and Data tiles in the quick settings menu. Some may like it while others prefer the old way of doing things, but it eventually got to the point of Google having to defend the change.

The quick settings menu has also been criticized for its redesign, with tiles taking up unnecessary space, limiting the number of visible tiles on a given quick settings page.

Android 12

Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central (Image credit: Source: Harish Jonnalagadda / Android Central)

Google also got rid of the smart home dashboard from the Power Menu that it had previously introduced with Android 11, which some users may not like.

If you're a Pixel owner, you're one of the lucky ones to have access to the stable Android 12 build. However, OEMs of some of the best Android phones are participating in the beta and incorporating their own skin into the update. Unfortunately, that means these changes may not translate over to other devices, with OEMs incorporating their own version of Google's dynamic theming system, like Samsung with its One UI 4 beta.

If you're using Android 12, let us know what you like or don't like about the new update, whether you're on a beta or stable.

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Derrek Lee
News Editor

Derrek is a long-time Nokia and LG fanboy who loves astronomy, videography, and sci-fi movies. When he's not working, he's most likely working out or smoldering at the camera.

14 Comments
  • Don't love; however, far from hating. I took a few days to get used to it on my 4XL; however, I am now comfortable with it.
    Not only a learning experience, but also some problems with some features and apps and most of those problems were fixed with the Nov. Security and feature update.
    I will guess that over time, most will be as comfortable with 12 as they were with previous systems.
  • None of the above. I quite like the visual design, but there are SO MANY bugs that made it into the release build, it's crazy, so "I like the concept of it, but please FIX IT."
  • Sounds like I might wait until the December update and see if more are fixed by then!
  • New quick settings suck. Everything else is pretty good.
  • I love it. I just had to try it out, so much so, I was able to find a way to upgrade my work phone (iPhone XR) to the Google Pixel 6. I told my manager I needed an Android phone for testing. So, I'm too excited to have it in hand. Android 12 is amazing and refreshing from iOS. The Pixel 6 inspires me to be creative within work. Very impressive software.
  • On my Pixel 4XL, the toggle to turn on Wi-Fi calling didn't get the Android 12 design treatment. It looks out of place. Other than that, I am okay with Android 12. My phone works as it should.
  • Do not like Bluetooth turning on all by itself. Do not like WiFi turning on all by itself.
    Hate is a strong word but that is what I voted. I do not want this #5 with November update using up its battery hunting for WiFi. And I have cell data enough that I want to control when it uses cell towers or WiFi. Turning WiFi off is cumbersome. Instead of one touch on the notification shade, I must click into it then choose.
    Bluetooth: my hearing aids are Bluetooth. I do not want to have the notifications banging in my ears unless I chose to!
    Thanks for asking
  • I've got a Pixel 5 and it reminds me almost daily to update but the new WiFi action and the loss of Google Pay (and custom apps via Tasker) on the power menu sounds a real pain. I'm waiting for a bit until more of these issues get addressed or workarounds put in place.
  • I do like it but Android Auto stopped working after upgrading and I really miss it.
  • Fortunately for 99% of consumers worldwide, they will never have to see Google's horrible designs and colour palettes. Because OEMs will simply toss the new design in the litter bin where it belongs and revert back to the previous, superior one.
  • Really enjoying it. I haven't had any issues and it's a breath of fresh air after four years with Samsung devices.
  • Only thing keeping me from loving it 100% is the lack of a button to launch Driving Mode. I hate having to use voice commands every time I get in my car. I'm bugging Google about this daily and hope someday they will make it a button or notification panel quick launch button.
  • It's completely awful, at least on a Pixel (awful use of space, horrible colors, dumb notifications). Other mfgs may change it so it's acceptable. I reflashed my 3 back to Android 11, and all is well again. I urge anyone that hasn't "upgraded" to dismiss Android 12.
  • I have 3 problems, adaptive brightness flickers off and on
    screen will scroll up intermittantly for no reason
    my phone places a call when it is locked in my pocket
    I own pixel 6 pro hope google fixes these problems