Samsung is still rolling out Android 8.1 Oreo to select Galaxy phones and tablets, but Android 9.0 Pie has joined the update.
Entering 2019, Samsung’s rollout of Android Oreo is slowing down. That said, the company has promised a few more updates, and those who haven’t rolled out Android Nougat yet should be on the lookout for an update as we head into the new year.
Most of the company’s Oreo updates are based on Google’s Android 8.0 software, but some devices are now getting a newer version of Oreo.
In 2017, Google released an updated version of Android Oreo called Android 8.1. Android 8.1 remains the most current version of Android Oreo and Google will not be releasing Android 8.1.1 or Android 8.2.
Samsung has confirmed several Android 8.1 updates and many are available now. These updates will be followed by additional updates in the coming weeks.
Today, we want to help answer some of these questions as we summarize what we know and think we know about Samsung’s Galaxy Android 8.1 Oreo update.
Android 8.1 Oreo Update
Android 8.1 Oreo was first released for Nexus and Pixel devices in December 2017. Since then, Google has released several new Android 8.1 builds with additional security patches and bug fixes.
Samsung recently released the February security patch based on Android 8.0 and Android 8.1, but it’s also included in the company’s Android Pie updates.
Android 8.1 update is a maintenance release but comes with some additional features (such as speed tags for open Wi-Fi networks), some of which may come to Galaxy phones in new Android 8.0 releases, Android 8.1 update, or the company’s new Android Pie update.
For more information on Android 8.1 and its changes, take a look at our step-by-step.
Samsung Galaxy Android 8.1 Update
Alongside the upgrades to the Experience UI, Samsung has released Android 8.1.
The first Galaxy devices to run Android 8.1 are the Galaxy Tab S4, the budget Galaxy Tab A 10.5, the company’s Samsung Go smartphone (known as the Galaxy J2 Core), the Galaxy Note 9 and the Galaxy J5 (2017).
The Galaxy J2 Core, Galaxy Tab S4 and Galaxy Tab A 10.5 run Android 8.1 out of the box, while the Galaxy J5 (2017) is switching to Android Oreo for the first time.
The Android 8.1 update is currently rolling out to Samsung Galaxy J5 (2017) models in Poland. It also challenges the Galaxy J5 Pro and Galaxy J5 Prime. All these devices are migrating from Android Nougat to Android Oreo.
Android 8.1 is also available for the Galaxy J7 Next and Galaxy J7 Core in select markets. These devices are also migrating from Android Nougat to Android Oreo for the first time.
Galaxy J7 users in the United States are also getting Android Oreo, and the software is based on Android 8.1 Oreo, not Android 8.0.
Samsung is also pushing the Android 8.1 Oreo update to Xcover 4 (SM-G390Y) in Asia, and users in countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand should be on the lookout for an update. This update appears to be coming with Samsung Experience 9.5.
The company is bringing Android 8.1 Oreo for Galaxy J7 Max and Galaxy On Max in India with Experience 9.5 to both devices. These smartphones are also switching from Nougat to Oreo for the first time.
Android 8.1 is also pushing the Galaxy Tab 2 Active and Galaxy Tab A (2016) with new security patches.
Galaxy Tab 2 Active update is rolling out in Europe and Galaxy Tab A (2016) Android 8.1 update is rolling out to users in Asia and Middle East.
We expect more regions to receive the update in the near future.
More Android 8.1 Updates Coming
Reports point It will launch on other obscure Galaxy devices like the Galaxy J7 Neo and Samsung’s promised Oreo updates for a handful of other devices.
While a few devices still remain on Nougat, we may see additional devices added to Samsung’s Android 8.1 update list in the near future.
Some Devices Will Remain on Android 8.0
While the Galaxy Note 8 launched with Android 7.1.1 Nougat, many popular Galaxy devices remained on Android 7.0 Nougat.
After the release of Galaxy Note 8, Samsung upgraded devices like Galaxy Tab A 9.7 and Galaxy J5 (2016) with Android 7.1.1 Nougat. But these devices have been ported above Android Marshmallow. Devices currently running Android Nougat are stuck on Android 7.0.
If Samsung follows the same protocol as Android 8.0 and Android 8.1 this year, we will see devices upgrade from Android Nougat to Android 8.1 (Galaxy J-series is an example) and devices currently running Android 8.0 will lag behind at this version. Wait for Android Pie.
Samsung’s first official Android Pie updates are rolling out, and the company is kicking off with the Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S8, and Galaxy Note 8.
There are ways to get Android Pie on older and mid-range Galaxy devices right now, but most Galaxy users will want to wait for the official firmware to arrive.
How to Get Android 8.1 Oreo Right Now?
If you don’t have a device running Android Nougat or don’t plan to buy one of Samsung’s newer devices, you can still get Android 8.1 Oreo on your device.
already have Ways to get Android 8.1 on Galaxy phones We should see more unofficial Oreo ROMs pop up right now and throughout the year.
If you’re tired of waiting for Samsung and it may take weeks for some of you to officially get Android 8.1, you should take advantage of unofficial software.
