The first Samsung Galaxy Android 9 Pie update has surfaced, but don’t expect an official release anytime soon.
Android 9 Pie is rolling out to Google’s Pixel line and phones from select OEMs, but we’re still waiting for news about Samsung’s fleet of Galaxy tablets and phones.
While most of its competitors have announced their plans for Android Pie, Samsung has not released a roadmap for devices such as the Galaxy S9, Galaxy Note 9 and Galaxy S8. That said, it looks like the company is starting to develop Android 9 Pie for at least one popular Galaxy smartphone.
A Galaxy S9+ (SM-G965F) running Android 9 Pie appeared recently in GFXBenchmark. The benchmark has since been withdrawn, but only if it offers a glimpse into Samsung’s plans for the future.
Last September, Samsung’s Android 8.0 Oreo update was spotted lurking in a Galaxy S8 benchmark. The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ were eventually selected for Samsung’s Oreo beta and were among the first Galaxy devices to receive the final version of Android 8.0 Oreo.
While the Galaxy S8 Oreo update first surfaced in September, the first Galaxy S8 Oreo beta didn’t start rolling out until November.
The official release of Android Oreo hit the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ models in the United States in early 2018 after a long beta process.
Therefore, although the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 + will probably be among the first Galaxy devices to have Android 9 Pie, it is not possible to say how long the process will take.
If Samsung sticks to its roots, we could see a Galaxy S9 Android Pie beta launch later this year. And if that happens, an official release could be at least a few months away.
Of course, there’s also a chance that the Galaxy S9 Android Pie beta and the official release will come out a little faster than Android Oreo.
Both Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ feature Project TrebleA feature from Android Oreo that could help Samsung cut off time It needs to release its next big update.
Older devices like the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 run Android Oreo, but Samsung has chosen not to offer Project Treble inside its Oreo updates.
Google says this is “working with a number of other partners to launch or upgrade devices to Android 9 this year.” If Samsung manages to roll out Android Pie in 2018, the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ will likely take first place. If you just can’t wait, there are currently ways to get Android Pie on a Galaxy S9.
For now, Samsung continues to roll out Android Oreo updates with some devices upgrading from Android Nougat to Android 8.1 Oreo. Android 8.1 is a newer version of Oreo that was released on the Galaxy Note 9 and Galaxy Tab S4 in August.
