After several beta releases and the decision to skip Android 8.0 for 8.1, the Essential Phone is now receiving its official Oreo update.
Essential has announced that its released Android 8.1 Oreo for the Essential Phone. The update is rolling out over the air, so if you've got an Essential Phone, you should check for it on your device.
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 Essential Phone is coming from Android 7.1 Nougat to Android 8.1 Oreo, so it's getting quite a few new features with this update. Those include autofill, picture-in-picture, notification dots so that you can easily see which apps have alerts for you, the ability to see your connected Bluetooth device's battery level in Quick Settings, and more.
Android 8.1 is only available on a handful of devices, so it's exciting to see the update going out to another phone. Essential's decision to delay its Oreo release so that it could push 8.1 instead of 8.0 may have been frustrating for some Essential Phone owners, but now the wait is over and they can enjoy the latest public release of Android.
