Google will soon make Android 12’s best feature mandatory on all phones
When Android 12 was debuted at Google I/O 2021, there was a lot of focus put on the different privacy and security features. While those are actually more important than the other features announced, they are not as “glamorous” as Material You. This dynamic theming engine truly transforms your Android phone into a device that feels more personal than ever, something else that Google is clearly attempting to achieve.
But the problem with Material You and its theming engine are that, save for Samsung and Xiaomi, other devices with Android 12 have not yet received the customization options. In a press release, Google confirmed that more phone makers will be implementing dynamic color theming into upcoming software releases.
We’re excited to announce that Material You, specifically dynamic color, will soon be available on more Android 12 phones globally, including devices by Samsung, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo, realme, Xiaomi, Tecno, and more!
The theming engine developed by Google has been exclusive to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, forcing the likes of Samsung and Xiaomi to implement similar features in One UI 4 and MIUI 13, respectively. But now, the hope is that other phone makers will be able to implement Google’s own dynamic theming tools into their platforms, bringing the features to more and more users.
As more Android 12 devices land in the next couple months, our OEM partners are working with us to ensure that key design APIs, especially around dynamic color, work consistently across the Android ecosystem so developers can have peace of mind and users can benefit from a cohesive experience.
Unsurprisingly, Google also shared an image of Gmail using different wallpaper-based themes for devices including the new Galaxy S22, along with the OnePlus 9 Pro, Oppo Find X3 Pro, and others.
This comes following a report from Android Police that Google would essentially be forcing phone makers into implementing Material You and the dynamic theming options in future releases. The report claims that when Android 12L will implement the engine into AOSP, which means that “to qualify for GMS, manufacturers will be able to either create their own compliant dynamic theming engines or implement Google’s Monet directly.”
What will be interesting to see is how phone makers plan on implementing the dynamic color-theming functionality into their software. Some, like Samsung and Xiaomi have already developed their own, but with Google’s Monet coming to AOSP, we expect other (smaller) phone makers to simply ride on the Google wave.