Android O is finally official, Google revealed the final name of Android 8. All the rumours of the name being Octopus, Oatmeal Cookie have proved to be false. Google has partnered with snack producer Nabsico to call the next version of Android Oreo.Now, that the naming is finalised, the biggest question running through everyone’s mind is whether their smartphone will receive the Android Oreo update.
Android has suffered badly from fragmentation. This is mainly due to manufacturers penchant to skin the OS heavily. Google says that update is already rolling out. Every time Google releases a new version of Android, manufacturers have to layer their skin over the new OS which takes time and effort due to which only a handful of devices get updated.
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If you take a look of the Android updates till now, as of August 2017, only 12.3 per cent of Android devices are running Android Nougat 7.0 and 1.2 per cent are running Nougat 7.1.Lollipop and Marshmallow still continue to dominate the Android smartphone market. Even Nougat is on handful of phones. So, don’t expect much in terms of update to the Oreo. Having said that, there are phones that will get it.
Android 8.0 (Oreo) top features
Android 8.0 Oreo brings with some changes such as refinements, back-end changes, user-centric features and polishes aimed at improving the user experience. The major features on offer include notification dots, support for third party calling apps, notification channels in which notifications are segmented into channels such as sports, news and music and the new ‘Google Play Protect’ malware system.Android O also comes with app optimisations, audio enhancements, an improved Autofill feature, better battery management algorithms, new and redesigned Emojis and support for Android Instant apps which allows users to directly teleport into new apps with no installations.
Check out which are the smartphones that will be getting the Android 8.0 Oreo update as of Google’s list.
Nokia smartphones
HMD Global, which is now making and selling Nokia brand smartphones. The company at the launch of Nokia 8 announced that this will be one of the first phones to get Android O. The company claims it is already “deep in development” of Android Oreo for the Nokia 8 smartphone, and will roll it out quickly. Android O is alsois promised to Nokia 6, Nokia 5, and Nokia 3 smartphones.
Google Pixel, Nexus devices
Google Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player and Pixel C tablet were already eligible for the Android O public beta program. For users who had already installed the public beta build on their smartphones, they should get the final build by now, and it should be available in Settings. Google says the image file can be downloaded manually, and installed on the device.The phone should prompt you about the Google Android 8.0 Oreo update, if you are on the beta program. Do note that if you have the Pixel or Nexus smartphone, but didn’t join the beta program, then you will have to wait for some more time before the final build rolls out. Google is still working on the final carrier builds for these phones.
Essential PH-1 phones
The co-founder of Android,Andy Rubin, now has a new company called Essential which just announced the Essential PH-1 module smartphone priced at $699. Google’s blog post confirms Essential is one of the firms working on Android O development.Although, the availability of Essential PH-1 is very limited and there are handful of users of this phone.
OnePlus smartphones
OnePlus has confirmed that their latest flagship smartphone, the OnePlus 5 will be updated to Android Oreo in the future. Oreo version is expected to arrive on OnePlus 5 in another two months. The company has also confirmed that the update will be landing on the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T.
Moto smartphones
Moto phones run stock Android and are among the most actively updated devices. Although Motorola has confirmed nothing when it comes to the Android Oreo, expect Motorola’s current generation high-end phones like Moto Z2 Play will be getting Android Oreo by the end of the year. The budget phones, however, or the previous generation phones like the Moto G4 may not get it.
Other smartphones
Samsung, Huawei, General Mobile, HTC, Kyocera, LG, Samsung, Sharp and Sony also mentioned on the list. Google says these mobile manufacturers will launch or upgrade their devices to Android Oreo 8.0. From Samsung, the Galaxy S8, S8+ and the S7 series should get upgraded, as well as the upcoming Galaxy Note 8. HTC should also roll this out for its flagship HTC U11 smartphone, and Sony will likely introduce this for the Xperia XZ Premium smartphone.
