Google revealed today that Samsung, OnePlus, Oppo, Vivo, realme, Xiaomi, Tecno, and other hardware makers will add Android 12’s dynamic color feature to their handsets. To be clear, this is not the full Material You experience that Google provides on Pixel and offers to its partners. But it’s at least a step in the right direction.
“With the release of Android 12 and the introduction of Material You, we made the Android experience more fluid and personal than ever for our users,” Google’s Rohan Shah writes. “The gorgeous new design brought to life experiences such as a more dynamic touch ripple, a silky-smooth scroll, and a spacious layout. But the star of the show was, and continues to be, dynamic color – pick your favorite wallpaper and the entire phone experience transforms to better express you, from your home screen to some of your favorite apps.”
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Shah is right about that: dynamic color isn’t just a defining feature of Android 12, it’s a major differentiator with the iPhone too. An it’s easily the best new feature in Android 12.
Of course, Android device makers tend to have their own ideas about the UI, and so most aren’t taking stock Android 12, but are instead creating their own custom skins instead. But at least the dynamic color feature will work consistently between these systems.
“Our 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,” Shah continues.