Android 13 is out. Google’s Pixel devices have already received the update. and Samsung and OnePlus have launched beta programs to test their upcoming updates. But one device that may not be taking it in a hurry is the Nothing Phone (1). The company has confirmed that Android 13 won’t be available for the phone until the first half of 2023 — meaning it could arrive as late as June.
Android 13 on phone Nothing (1)
Nothing confirmed its plans for Android 13 on its debut phone in a statement to Android Authority. He said: We are always working hard to improve the user experience of Phone 1. To ensure this, OS updates will be available for regular download. As for Android 13, this will be released for Phone 1 users in the first half of 2023. Before the release, we want to coordinate the software upgrade with Nothing’s hardware. We’ll be sure to keep you posted with further information. The announcement came after users pressed the company for information about its release schedule, to which Nothing founder Carl Pei gave a rather defensive response: “A product is more than specs, features and version numbers of”. The phone is scheduled for three Android updates – up to Android 15 – as well as four years of bi-monthly security updates. Given that the company had emphasized the value of its pure software, offering a near-stock Android experience, and that it had hired a huge team of developers to work on it, there was an expectation among many that the phone would be a good choice for anyone wants access to the latest software. Now, that expectation is diminishing. Of course, “first half of 2023” is vague enough that it could mean the update is just over three months away. But equally, users might not see Android 13 on their Nothing phones until after Google unveils Android 14 next spring. Nothing has been released at least regular software updates to fix some of the teething problems the device has had. The battery, camera, fingerprint scanner, trademark Glyph interface and general UI smoothness have been targeted for improvements so far.
Android 13 updates
Mid-range phones tend to update to the next version of Android later than flagships, with the notable exception of the Pixel 6a which has already received it. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy A52 got Android 12 in January this year, a month after the S21. The A53 is likely to drop on a similar schedule for Android 13, and the Nothing Phone (1) could still match it. If you’re in the market for a new mid-ranger, these remain two of the most attractive phones to choose from.
