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Stable Android 8.1 Oreo rolling out to the Essential Phone
- Android 8.1 Oreo is rolling out in a stable build to Essential Phones right now.
- The update brings the regular Oreo features of Android, as well as some Essential-specific features.
- This update has been a long time coming, as Essential skipped over Android 8.0 Oreo.
If you own an Essential Phone, you should check your device for a software update, because Android 8.1 Oreo is rolling out now.
Essential Phone owners were distressed to learn that the company would be skipping a release of Android 8.0 Oreo, opting to instead only focus on Android 8.1. It’s been about a month and a half since Essential made that announcement, and users will likely be happy that the wait is over.
We’re excited to announce the full release of Android Oreo 8.1 on Essential Phone! Check your phone now for the update. pic.twitter.com/0PwPBMj6h1— Essential (@essential) March 13, 2018
The Android 8.1 Oreo update comes with all the standard feature enhancements associated with the OS, like smart text selection, instant apps, picture-in-picture mode, and more. You can read all about Android Oreo in our full review, right here.
But there are also some Essential-only upgrades, like new dynamic calendar and clock icons. Users will also be excited to know that the slow scrolling jitter that caused some significant headaches is fixed in this rollout.
Beta testers have been working with Android 8.1 Oreo on the Essential Phone for weeks now. Even though the Essential Phone has had a slow start and the company has had its share of roadblocks, it has been very good about staying up-to-date with software and security patches and keeping its community involved in the process.
In a Reddit AMA last year. Andy Rubin, CEO of Essential and the original developer of the Android operating system, said that the next entry in the Essential Phone family is in development, but did not reveal any kind of release target.