Android 11

The skill of developers in the Android world is often incredibly impressive, especially when it comes to getting hardware to do things it shouldn’t. This week, one team managed to get Microsoft’s brand new Windows 11 platform installed on a OnePlus 6T.
Expand Expanding CloseIt usually takes Android OEMs a fair bit to get the latest version of the OS on older devices, but Samsung has been getting better and better at this every year. For Android 11, the official update schedule kicked off in early December and continues to expand. Here’s every device Samsung has updated to Android 11 so far.
Expand Expanding CloseThe June security patch for Pixel devices brought with it a Feature Drop but also a neat little taste of the upcoming Android 12 release and the Material You redesign with a grouped notification count icon.
Expand Expanding CloseWhile the first beta of Google’s next mobile operating system is now available, Android 11 remains the stable release for the next few months. Google is rolling out the June security patch with a Feature Drop to the Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), and Pixel 5 today.
Expand Expanding CloseThe June update for Pixel phones is coming later than usual this month, but it does bring a Feature Drop that’s more packed than recent releases. Highlights include the ability to take Astrophotography time lapses and a Locked Folder for Google Photos, while several capabilities are now more widely available abroad.
Expand Expanding CloseThe Wear OS emulator in Android Studio now includes a preview of the upcoming Android 11 based update for Wear OS.
Expand Expanding CloseWith Android One and some solid budget devices in tow, Nokia’s revival was promising for the Android world. A couple of years later, however, a cluttered lineup and delayed software updates aren’t exactly putting the brand in the best light. Now, Nokia has announced its latest Android 11 roadmap, which pushes everything back.
Expand Expanding CloseAhead of the first Android 12 Beta later this month, Google is rolling out the May security patch to address bugs on the Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), and Pixel 5.
Expand Expanding CloseIf you’re still rocking the 2018-released OnePlus 6 or OnePlus 6T, hopefully you aren’t too excited about the Android 11 release. OnePlus has just confirmed we won’t see its release anytime soon.
Expand Expanding CloseThe LG Velvet is the company’s last mainstream premium smartphone, but even with the company pulling its resources from the smartphone business, updates are still rolling out. This week, Android 11 was spotted rolling out to the LG Velvet in the United States.
Expand Expanding CloseEvery major Android update brings new features, new changes, and things to get used to. With Android 11, though, many of those tweaks are behind the scenes, and some of them can have a real impact on how you use your device. Now that Android 11 is rolling out in full swing, here are a few things to expect when you install the update on your phone.
Expand Expanding CloseThe April security update is rolling out this morning, with the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G benefiting from a pair of camera and graphics performance enhancements. Older phones also get some functional fixes from this patch.
Expand Expanding CloseWhile not as packed as last month’s quiet Feature Drop, the April security patch is rolling out today to address bugs on the Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a (5G), and Pixel 5.
Expand Expanding CloseOfficial builds of LineageOS version 18.1, the Android 11 based update to the ever-popular third-party ROM, are becoming available for the Pixel 5, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 4a, and OnePlus 8 series.
Expand Expanding CloseGoogle’s Chrome OS has the advantage of including support for Android and the platform’s vast app collection. Now, Chromebooks are finally getting updated to Android 11 to bring some new features and better functionality, but the update is in beta-only for the time being.
Expand Expanding CloseMotorola re-entered the flagship space in 2020, but seemingly forgot that top-tier devices are supposed to get a few big updates over time. Now, nearly 6 months after the update hit Pixel phones, the Motorola Edge+ is finally getting its Android 11 upgrade.
Expand Expanding CloseFrom getting major Android releases that improve privacy first to monthly patches and the Titan M chip, security is often an under-discussed selling point of Pixel phones. The latest security advantage sees Pixel devices on Android 11 get Common Criteria’s Mobile Device Fundamentals Protection Profile certification.
Expand Expanding CloseThe rollout of Android 11 has been remarkably quick so far, but that’s thanks especially to Samsung being far ahead of its original schedule. LG, on the other hand, has only rolled out the update to one device, and the company’s official schedule paints a picture that’s even grimmer.
Expand Expanding CloseSamsung is continuing its Android 11 push, and now it’s expanding to one of the most popular Android smartphones in recent memory. The Galaxy A50 is now getting Android 11.
Expand Expanding CloseThe LG V60 ThinQ turned out to be an unexpected highlight of the 2020 smartphone season, but in our review, one of the things we pointed out was LG’s not-so-great history with updates. Thankfully, the company is being relatively timely with its still-flagship, delivering Android 11 to the LG V60 this past week.
Expand Expanding CloseWhile Pixel devices only have one physical SIM card slot, you can simultaneously add and use an eSIM with Dual SIM Dual Standby. At launch, DSDS on the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G dropped users to 4G connectivity, but yesterday’s March security patch enables 5G support.
Expand Expanding CloseIn addition to the Pixel Feature Drop, the March security patch contains nine functional updates that address some bugs, including one longstanding one, on the Pixel 5 and 4a 5G.
Expand Expanding CloseThe next software update for the Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, and Pixel 5 is now available. Coinciding with a Pixel Feature Drop, the March security patch also includes the usual set of bug fixes.
Expand Expanding CloseWhile Android 11 is no longer the newest version of Google’s OS, it will remain the stable release for the first part of this year. To help remedy that, the March Pixel Feature Drop is now here along with the latest security patch and several bug fixes.
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