Androids future trends
Android 13
While Android 12 was a game changer for the platform, I believe Android 13 will take a more conservative approach. The team of engineers and designers will devote a significant amount of time and effort to improving Material You, not just to solve problems but also to improve its stability and performance. The UI will appear and function better than ever after the change.
However, Material You will not be the only sauce included in the upcoming edition. I believe Google has a few more tricks up its sleeve, some of which will be welcomed and others of which may not be (more on this in a bit).
I have a hunch Google will release some game-changing security technologies for the next version of Android. This new security feature, which will take the shape of a new type of app and permissions sandboxing, will be focused at avoiding malware and ransomware.
The Pixel 7 will include face unlock biometrics
I believe the biggest change for the Pixel 7 will be the incorporation of face unlock biometric verification rather than a total redesign of the smartphone. This will, I suppose, be in addition to the fingerprint scanner (instead of as a replacement). With the addition of face unlock, customers will have four authentication methods to select from:
This inclusion should pacify any Android aficionados who were disappointed by the Pixel 6's lack of face unlock.
?More curved displays
When the Pixel 6 Pro with the curved display was unveiled, my first opinion was that it seemed a little backward. However, the smooth feel in the hand and the sophisticated appearance cannot be topped. I believe we will see a return of the trend this year, with the curved display moving from a flagship-only feature to the world of midrange handsets. With a few exceptions, these curved screens will not operate as they did on Samsung Galaxy models that displayed content on the phone's side. Those that go that gimmicky way will shortly discover that presenting material on the curved borders fails. In any case, the curved display will make a big reappearance.
?Folding phone fixed
Until now, the most serious problem with the folding phone was that the screens would invariably develop a permanent wrinkle at the folding point. When the wrinkle formed, consumers discovered that their highly costly phones were no longer appealing.
This issue has kept many users (including myself) from getting a foldable phone.
However, I expect that a manufacturer will overcome that problem this year. When that happens, the folding phone will gradually become a fixture in the Android world.
Oppo appears to be the firm in question. They demonstrated it was feasible with the Find N, and I believe they will perfect that design by 2022.
?Pixel Watch
We've been anticipating the Pixel Watch for quite some time. I'm quite convinced that this unicorn wearable will be available in 2022. What is the significance of this? Because Android cellphones continue to lag behind Apple's take on the technology. The Pixel Watch has the potential to change that, but only if Google plays its cards right. What they need to do is produce two separate Pixel Watch models, one midrange and one flagship.
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One of the reasons Google's mobile platform is so ubiquitous throughout the world is the availability of low-cost Android phones. If they want to see the same thing in the smartwatch market, they must appeal to both people with little disposable budget and those with unlimited funds. If they achieve this, the Pixel Watch will be a huge success.
?WearOS battery life will exceed all others
WearOS will receive a lot of love as a consequence of Google's efforts on the Pixel Watch. One major selling feature, in my opinion, will be the battery life, which will outperform the competitors. The battery life of an Android wristwatch is currently inadequate (by a long shot). If Google wants to make significant progress in the Android smartwatch industry, it must fix this issue.
I anticipate that by 2022, the battery life of Android smartwatches will have doubled... at least for devices that support the most recent version of WearOS.
?The Samsung Galaxy 22 will be the year's greatest phone.
As much as I'd like to see the Pixel 7 be the phone to have in 2022, I believe the honor will fall completely on Samsung's shoulders. The look of the Galaxy 22 won't be much of a departure, but the phone will be powerful (perhaps boasting a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU) and may very well support 45W wireless charging (making it one of the fastest charging phones available).
Voice unlock will become a thing
This may sound a little far-fetched, but I've been waiting for this for a long time. I believe that by 2022, sound-based biometrics will be available on Android smartphones, making voice unlock a reality. This authentication mechanism, I think, will also prove to be the most secure choice available. To appease those who are too concerned about Google listening in on them 24 hours a day, I believe this will be done locally with the aid of the Tensor Chip. There's no need to be anxious about Big Brother watching (listening to) you now that voice unlock is handled onboard. Not for device unlocking, at any rate.
?App sideloading will no longer be permitted.
This has been a long time coming and will irritate a large number of Android users. I believe Google will just discontinue application sideloading in 2022. And once this is completed, there will be no turning back or getting around it.
Google will do this in order to combat malware and ransomware. When it does, it must recognise that the burden of protecting consumers from harmful programmes will fall entirely on its shoulders.
?Mid Range phones will reduce the gap between them and flagship handsets.
The year 2022 will be known as the "Year of the Mid Range Phone." Furthermore, several mid range smartphones will significantly narrow the gap between themselves and the flagship market. We expect to see an increase in the number of mid range handsets that appear and function like flagship phones while still selling at midrange rates. This will also force manufacturers to cut the pricing of their flagship models.
?First graphene battery for a smartphone
Finally, I believe the first graphene battery for a smartphone will be demonstrated in 2022. I expect Samsung will show off a prototype at some time, but it won't be available for purchase until the following year. These batteries will transform cell phones since they are smaller and significantly more powerful than the present alternatives. Not only will these batteries be able to carry considerably more charge, but they will also be far safer than Li-ion batteries.
This has the extra benefit of helping device manufacturers to create smaller, lighter cell phones.
That concludes my Android predictions for 2022. I believe that 2014 will be a golden year for Google's smartphone platform.