LineageOS 20 with Android 13 QPR1 now available

LineageOS, the descendant of the original Cyanogenmod, has released a new update for custom Android builds, LineageOS 20. This update includes a number of significant changes, including the discontinuation of point updates, a faster port from Android 12 to 13, and a new camera app called Aperture.

No More Point Updates

LineageOS 20 marks a change in the way the company releases updates. Going forward, there will be no point updates, such as 20.1. Instead, all updates will simply be referred to as LineageOS 20. This change also extends to the developer level, with repositories being named “lineage-20” instead of “lineage-20.0.”

Faster Port from Android 12 to 13

In addition to changing the way it releases updates, LineageOS 20 is also notable for being a faster port from Android 12 to 13 than previous updates. This is due to a smaller payload of edits between the two versions. The update is based on QPR1.

Aperture: A New Camera App

One of the standout features of LineageOS 20 is Aperture, a new camera app built on Google’s CameraX library. While it follows many of the principles of stock camera apps, it is a distinct product that represents a significant upgrade from the ROM’s previous camera app, a modified version of Camera2. Aperture also includes a native QR code reader. It is also worth mentioning that thanks to the update, it has become much easier for users to share photos via a photo transfer app without any issues. In addition to the new camera app, LineageOS 20 also includes a redesign of the Recorder app using the Material You design language and an upgrade to the .WAV record mode, which is now in stereo.

Security Patches and Device Support

LineageOS 20 includes security patches from April to December of 2022, and can be installed on devices running versions as far back as 17.1. The update currently supports 20 devices, including the Fairphone 4, the Google Pixel 4, 4 XL, 4a, 5, and 5a, as well as a number of Motorola and OnePlus devices. Developers looking to add new devices to the list may be able to use board-specific common kernels for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, 845, 855, 865, and 888. If you have a Snapdragon 820 device, you can get a LineageOS 18.1 kernel.

These are all the updates for now. Overall, it is not that different from the Android 13 update hence users have a lot to look forward too.