Google has released Android 13 (Go edition) for budget smartphones
Google is following up on August’s introduction of Android 13 with a new version of the operating system designed with budget handsets in mind. Please welcome Android 13 to the club (Go edition).
It’s hard to believe, but the idea behind the Go edition has been around for five years, and there are currently over 250 million monthly active devices running low-end SoCs, limited RAM, and storage that use some version of Android Go.
When developing Android 13 (Go edition), Google prioritized stability, usability, and adaptability. Beginning with this update, Go devices can access Google Play System Upgrades, allowing them to receive security patches and other critical software updates even if they aren’t running the latest version of Android.
The Google Discover feed, which has previously only been available on Android skins with a certain level of customization, is now available on Android Go devices. The Material You design language is also coming out of beta, having previously only been available on higher-priced, non-Go edition Android handsets.
The entire color scheme of your phone will be themed to match your background. It’s not automatic, though; there are four color schemes available when you set a background.
Notification permissions and app language choices, both prominent additions to Android 13 that are finding their way to the Go edition, are also included. In 2023, we can expect to see the release of new devices using Android 13 (Go edition), per Google.
