Google just released its fifth and final Android 12 beta, so the next step would be the final release of the updated phone software. For the past few years, new versions of Android have been released before that year's Pixel phones are available, and if leaked internal documents are to be believed, Android 12 and the upcoming Google Pixel 6 could be the same.

Mishaal Rahman of XDA Developers posted a screenshot of the document detailing when Google plans to drop Android 12 into the Android Open Source Project (AOSP). This is a public, open source version of Android that anyone can get, tweak, and do with as they please.

Google's own release of Android 12 will likely coincide with this AOSP drop; the document Rahman posted on Twitter also details deadlines for when Google-approved devices running Android 12 will ship The document also details deadlines for when devices running Google-approved Android 12 will ship. The document also outlines when security patch support for Android 12 will end.

Interestingly, the document also shows previous Android versions up to 9 Pie; the dates submitted to AOSP also match the official release dates of those versions. And if it is to be believed, Android 12 could appear as early as October 4, 2021.

In other words, this leak seems pretty legit. Not only is this document accurate in other respects, but the entire XDA is fairly reliable when it comes to Android leaks and information; Rahman himself has stated that third-party logistics partners have also confirmed the October 4 date. There is little reason to doubt him.

Android 12 is a major revamp of Android 11, mostly thanks to the new "Material You" design language and theme system; the new version of Android also features a dedicated privacy dashboard that allows you to see your beat Apple by allowing you to see what permissions your apps are requesting and when.