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Essential Phone on Sprint now receiving Android 8.1 Oreo update
- Android 8.1 Oreo is now rolling out to the Sprint variant of the Essential Phone.
- The update arrives almost a month after it rolled out for the unlocked Essential Phone.
- The update brings security patches, bug fixes, and more.
If you own the Sprint variant of the Essential Phone, check your device for a software update. Android 8.1 Oreo is rolling out now for your device.
The update arrives almost a month after the unlocked version’s and almost three months after Essential said it would skip Android 8.0 for Android 8.1. It has been quite the wait for Sprint customers, but they will be happy to know that the wait is over.
Sprint customers: Good news! Oreo 8.1 is rolling out to you now! Check your Essential Phone for the update.— Essential (@essential) April 9, 2018
The update introduces the standard fare of Android Oreo features, such as smart text selection, instant apps, picture-in-picture, and more. You can check out our Android Oreo review to read up on all of the features.
You also get Essential Phone-specific features, such as dynamic calendar and clock icons, a fix for the annoying slow scrolling jitter issue, and Bluetooth 5.0 certification. It also includes modem stability fixes, bug fixes, and better handling of game controllers.
Also included is a nifty toggle within developer options that forces apps to either render around the notch, not render content around the notch while in landscape, or adhere to Essential’s recommendations. This is a universal setting, so whichever you pick applies to every app on your phone.
Lastly, the update changes the build number to OPM1.180104.141. If you are an Essential Phone owner on Sprint, head to Settings > System > System update > Check for update to download the update.