The new year is right around the corner, but your Android OEM elves are hard at work. From half-baked Oreo updates to Google tying up loose ends, here’s everything to know in Updato’s Android software update roundup.

It has been a crazy year for the Android world, with some innovative tech hitting the market. From setting the new industry standard of 18:9 bezel-less displays to following Apple by ditching the headphone jack, Android market is on the precipice of a revolution that has just begun.One thing that does still seem elusive is the Android 8.0, which has been out since August on Google/Nexus devices. There have been overachieving Android OEMs that brought Oreo to older devices first, and then there’s Samsung which is yet to deliver the public release. Either way, there’s a lot to talk about even as we approach the final week of 2017.

What's new this week? 

Google
  • The Pixel C Android tablet is retiring.
Samsung
  • Latest Galaxy S8 and S8+ Oreo beta update dropped.
  • Galaxy Note 8 gets an LTE connectivity fix.
  • Galaxy A7 2017, Galaxy A3 2017 and Galaxy A3 2016 receive December security update.
Xiaomi
  • Mi A1 Android One device gets stable Android 8.0 Oreo update.
  • Mi Mix 2 and Redmi 5/5+ receive iPhone X style gestures.
LG
  • LG V30 begins receiving stable Android 8.0 Oreo update in South Korea.
  • The flagship LG G6 spotted running Android 8.0 beta in China.
OnePlus
  • OnePlus 5 gets Oreo publicly with OxygenOS 5.0 update.
  • The OnePlus 3/3T get OxygenOS 5.0.1 update.
Google may not have plans to support the dated Nexus 6, but the software support is still coming. The Mountain View company also has announced the retirement of its one and only Android tablet. In the meantime, Samsung has Galaxy device updates in the pipeline, with the latest version of Oreo beta rolling out.All of this goes on as other top dogs in the Android market are pushing out the latest version of Android for their premium lineup. For a breakdown on what else is new, read through the entire Android software update roundup for this week.

Google software update news

Creators of Android OS, you’d expect Google to be at the top of the ladder in regards to software support. However, Google follows suit of most Android OEMs with only two major software updates per device. Despite being the first devices to get the latest security updates, the Nexus lineup is now fading into irrelevance.However, Google's also retiring the first device of its Pixel series and the only Android tablet in its lineup. The Mountain View company has stopped the sales of the two-year-old Pixel C tablet that was miles ahead of the competition. Google did put out the statement to acknowledge the decision:

“As is common when a device has been out for a few years, we're now retiring Pixel C and it is no longer available for sale. However, we are committed to updating and supporting it, including the recent update to Android 8.0, so customers can continue to get the best out of their device. Our newly launched Google Pixelbook combines the best parts of a laptop and a tablet for those looking for a versatile device.”

You don’t have to be a genius to figure out that Google wants to replace the Android tablets with Chromebooks. For all the Pixel C tablet owners out there, you won’t be eligible for any major software updates after Android 8.0 Oreo. However, users can expect Google to keep pushing out optimization and security updates for its first (and probably last) Android-powered Pixel tablet.

Samsung software update news

So all your friends are boasting about picture-in-picture mode and better storage management. But what about the fact that who own one of the top devices from Samsung and still holding a phone that runs the year-old Nougat? Let’s stop dwelling on the fact that Oreo is just not going to be coming to Galaxy devices in 2017.However, the largest manufacturer of Android devices has some updates to push out this weekend. There’s a new version of the Android 8.0 Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+ this week. Moreover, Samsung is also patching up the 2017 mid-tier and older flagship devices to the security updates of December.

New Oreo update for Galaxy S8 and S8+

While technically the 5th Oreo beta update that we’re reporting on, Samsung is calling it the 2nd beta update. The latest update for those who are rolled into the Samsung beta program is currently rolling across the Indian subcontinent. The software version of the beta update is ZQLE and isn’t available for European Galaxy S8 and S8+ devices yet.Unlike the beta updates that Samsung rolled out during the first phase, the Oreo beta update doesn’t come with new features. Seems like at this point Samsung is focused on fixing the slew of bugs and vulnerabilities of the device software. The update weighs in at 613MB and should be available to eligible devices incrementally.The 5th Oreo beta update is expected to spread across more regions soon enough, so keep an eye out. If you haven’t received the OTA update notification yet, you can check the update manually as well. Simply head over to Settings – Software update – Download updates manually and you should be all set to go.

Galaxy Note 8 update for LTE fix

The Note series has been the Achilles’ heel of the South-Korean tech giant since the departure of Galaxy Note 7. To be fair, Galaxy Note 8 is everything that you’d expect and more, and the proactive software support is welcoming. Several users had reported shoddy network connectivity on the Note 8 and Samsung was quick to respond.A new software update for the Galaxy Note 8 is rolling out in Taiwan, with the firmware version N950FXXU2BQKG. Since the firmware version hasn’t changed, this update seems more just like a follow-up to the previous December security update. The only highlight of the software update is that the issue of “intermittent interruption of LTE data” has been patched.

December security update

Better late than never, some of the more recently released Galaxy devices are now receiving a security update. The December security patch is rolling out for some devices, specifically the Galaxy A7 2017, Galaxy A3 2017 and even the Galaxy A3 2016 edition. The firmware version A720FXXU2BQL9 for the Galaxy A7 2017 edition brings 11 critical fixes for the Android OS.Moreover, it also covers 10 other vulnerabilities that have been reported for Samsung-specific devices. The same goes for the Galaxy A3 versions of 2017 and 2016, so don’t expect anything more than a security level bump. The updates are incremental, so it could take a few days to reach your region. Be sure to check for the updates manually by heading over to Settings – Software update – Download updates manually.

Xiaomi software update news

The biggest name in the Chinese Android marker, Xiaomi is not the online to release software updates frequently. The heavily customized MIUI has its own charm but makes the release of the latest updates a nightmare for end-users. Which is why the first Android device from Xiaomi to get Android 8.0 is not even theirs, to begin with.

Mi A1 gets Android 8.0 Oreo

An early New Year surprise, Xiaomi’s Android One Mi A1 is receiving the latest Android version with an OTA update. The Chinese company has already stated that being a phased rollout, not every Mi A1 will be able to see the software update pop up right on December 31. Part of what makes the Mi A1 update so early is that its Android One.Google’s partnership with Android OEMs to create devices like Mi A1 and Moto X4 brings stock Android experience to mid-tier devices. From improved notification channels and Night Light mode to picture-in-picture mode and fast charging, there’s a lot to be excited about. The software version 7.12.29 should be available in the first week of January, or you can look for the update manually through Settings – Software Updates.

Update for Mi Mix 2 and Redmi 5/5+

Xiaomi is famously known as the Apple of China, and the latest update for the bezel-less Mi Mix 2 and Remi 5/5+ takes a direct jab at iPhone X. Android devices have sported virtual buttons for years, which makes navigation so much easier. The latest update for the two Xiaomi devices brings gestures similar to what Apple’s most expensive iPhone comes with.The on-screen gestures are a part of MIUI 9 Global Beta ROM 7.12.28 that brings a bunch of UI tweaks. Users can now swipe up from the bottom of the screen to head back to the home screen, just like the iPhone X. Moreover, you also get additional gesture control for opening the "Recents" tab and switching between apps effortlessly.

LG software update news

The South-Korean tech company has a better reputation than its rival Samsung when it comes to speedy software updates. While both Samsung and LG are still in the beta testing phase for their flagship devices, LG is putting the V30 in the spotlight first. The LG V30 has a stable Android 8.0 Oreo update rolling out, which is currently limited to users in South-Korea.There’s not much we know about what LG had implemented in the Oreo update for LG V30. Apart from all of the Oreo features, the company has reportedly implemented feedback from over 500 customers that were a part of the beta program. Unlocked LG V30 devices across the world should expect the update in the coming weeks, while carrier-locked devices should take a bit longer.The flagship device is not too far back either, as reports of LG G6 Oreo beta have surfaced from China. The Oreo beta version V19A is reportedly being rolled out for device models LGM-G600L, LGM-G600S, LGM-G600KR, LGM-G600LP, LGM-G600K, LGM-G600LR, LGM-G600SR, LGM-G600SP, and LGM-G600KP. It may take weeks before the stable version is out, but it’s a start nonetheless.

OnePlus software update news

It took the Chinese tech startup some time to get on its feet, but OnePlus has excelled in bringing quality software support to its devices. It was a surprise for the OnePlus 3/3T buyers to receive the Android 8.0 more than a month ago. As a present to the owners of the 2017 flagship, the company is now rolling out Oreo for OnePlus 5.The OxygenOS 5.0 update for the OnePlus 5 brings all of the goodness that Android 8.0 has to offer. Apart from that, the changelog is filled with great new additions, which you can check on the official OnePlus forum.But the OnePlus 3/3T owners also have an update to look forward to in the form of OxygenOS 5.0.1. Starting with the December security patch, the changelog also shows some more features like the “Adaptive mode” screen calibration. Moreover, OnePlus 3 and 3T owners now get the Wi-Fi hotspot device manager, aptX HD support and a slew of bug fixes with the latest update.Are you among the lucky owners finally getting the months-old Oreo update on their devices? Own an Android device that recently got updated but we haven’t covered it yet? Be sure to become a part of the conversation and drop a word in the comments section down below.

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What's my model number?

There are several ways to locate your model number:

Option 1
On your device, go to Settings, then "About device" and scroll down to "Model number"
Option 2
Often times you can view the model number inside the device, by removing the battery
Option 3
Using Samsung's model/serial number location tool

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