This week, on our weekly firmware news roundup: Xiaomi gives us a list of new features that are about to come for both MIUI 10 and 11, Huawei Mate 20 Lite gets its slice of Pie, and more!

What's New This Week?

OnePlus

  • Latest update for the OnePlus 5/5T brings deep Google Duo integration

Google

  • Pixel 3 receives more fixes through the latest update

Xiaomi

  • Pocophone F1 is now able to record in 4K 60FPS (Beta)
  • Xiaomi lists the new features that they are working on for MIUI 10 and 11

HMD Global

  • Nokia 2 starts receiving Android 8.1 update

Huawei

  • Honor 8X, Mate 20 Lite, and Nova 3i get their slice of Pie

Huawei

Honor 8X, Mate 20 Lite, and Nova 3i

Android Pie is now being delivered to the Chinese models of Huawei Honor 8X, Mate 20 Lite, and Nova 3i. We don't know when and if this update will make it to the global variants. But, logically speaking, it shouldn't take too long. A few weeks from now sounds like a good estimate.

Apart from Android Pie, this update also brings EMUI 9 to the table. This version is 25% faster than its predecessor, 13% more fluent, and launches apps 100ms faster.

Last but not least, EMUI 9 also packs GPU Turbo 2.0: a software implementation that improves gaming performance while decreasing battery/energy usage.

Xiaomi

MIUI 10 And 11

Xiaomi recently released a huge list on things that they are working on for both MIUI 10 and 11. Arguably, two of the most important ones among the bunch are Dark Mode and Child Mode. To go into more detail:

  • Ability to view the lock screen after unlocking without immediately entering to the Home page.
  • New sound effects
  • Advanced Dolby effects
  • Face unlock and fingerprint scanner to work simultaneously
  • Optimization of the energy saving function
  • Activation of the screen with voice commands
  • Screen wake-up using voice commands
  • Support for album privacy for videos
  • Dark mode
  • Refresh function for the App Store interface
  • Display of the recharge status in the information screen
  • Automatic deletion of the apk file after installing the app
  • Local recycle bin for photos albums
  • Support for photos crop in 18: 9
  • Reduction of false touches
  • Optimized App permission management
  • Better voice-activated shutter function
  • Child mode
  • Stereo Bluetooth in games
  • Display of emergency contacts in the unlock screen
  • New animation for recharging
  • Refresh of the unlock screen
  • Possibility to set the default SIM for each contact
  • New colors for the interface
  • Button postpone in reminders
  • Display of consumption in hotspot mode
  • Greater integration with third-party payment services

The complete list of changes can be found over at MIUI's page. However, it seems to be in Chinese. So, you'll have to use a translating tool like Google translate or something like that.

Thanks to GizChina for translating and compiling the above list.

HMD Global

Nokia 2

The Nokia 2 was supposed to get Android Oreo 8.0, but it looks like it skipped straight to 8.1. This device originally launched with Android Nougat.

So, why not Pie? Well, as we mentioned before, Nokia 2 is a low-end device. It can barely handle Android Oreo, never mind Android Pie. Speaking of which, if you choose to install this latest update, you can expect a performance drop.

This phone didn't launch with Android Go, and that''s why it can't receive the Go version. Hence the performance drop. At the very least, HMD Global managed to install Android Go memory management features.

Now, there is a bit of a catch here. Not all of you will receive this update. It will only reach those who had their network provider "agree" with this update. And the list of those who definitely won't get the update is quite extensive.

According to HMD Global, those are the countries that won't receive this update:

  • Albania
  • Armenia
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Belarus
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Chile
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Estonia
  • Georgia
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Indonesia
  • Ireland (Except Vodafone Ireland)
  • Israel
  • Kazakhstan
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Macedonia
  • Moldova
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Peru
  • Poland
  • Russia
  • Serbia
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Ukraine
  • United Kingdom
  • Uruguay

And those are the networks that won't get it:

  • Movistar Ecuador
  • Tigo Guatemala
  • Greece Cosmote
  • Telekom Romania
  • DiGI RO, Orange Romania, Swisscom

So, it seems like the biggest part of Europe is out of the plan.

Xiaomi

Pocophone F1

The Poco F1 is known by many as the "flagship killer". And maybe rightfully so. The latest update only throws more oil to the fire as it allows you to record videos in 4K 60 FPS.

At the moment, this update is only available for Beta users. However, chances are that it'll soon become stable.

The Pocophone has been able to record 4K videos for a while now, but only in 30 FPS. 60 FPS recordings will definitely make your videos feel smoother.

Yes, we know. This is not true 4K 60 FPS as it uses interpolation and yada yada. But, that doesn't change the fact that it's better than stock 30 FPS recordings and interpolated 4K 60 FPS is the best that we can do at the moment anyway. At least on the mobile department that is.

OnePlus

OnePlus 5/5T

The latest update for the OnePlus 5/5T is already here and it brings a few minor things to the table. But, the one thing that arguably stands out is deep Google Duo integration.

Apart from that, there are also minor bug fixes and improvements, network optimization, improved stability, and you get January's security patch.

As per usual, this is an incremental OTA update which means that only a small "wave" of people will receive it at first before it becomes available for everyone. So, if you haven't received it yet, be patient.

According to OnePlus, using a VPN doesn't make a difference. And even if it did, it's probably not worth the trouble since it's a rather small update anyway.

Google

Google Pixel 3

We've probably mentioned this a hundred times by now. But, the Google Pixel 3 launch wasn't exactly smooth. Both the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL came out with numerous bugs.

Ever since then, lots of updates have came out to address all the issues one by one. This update isn't all that different.

Apparently, some people were experiencing responsiveness/speed related issues. It may not sound like a much of a deal, but it can be quite frustrating in things like gaming and taking pictures. Especially if you consider that the Pixel series is considered a premium device. Thankfully, according to Google, that issue has been fixed with this latest update.

Apart from that, we also get improved Bluetooth reliability, improved playback of encrypted media, and also improved storage performance.

Furthermore, it almost goes without saying that the March security patch is included with this update as well.

Seeing a phone that's running stock Android is also made from Google to be sluggish is definitely ironic. Hopefully, that's the end of the Pixel's adventures.

That's all for now. We'll keep you updated if we find out anything else. So, stay tuned!

Feel like we forgot something important? Got something wrong? Then don't forget to let us and everyone else know about it in the comments section down below!

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SOURCES: ONE PLUS FORUMS, 9 TO 5 GOOGLE, GSM ARENA 1, 2, GIZCHINA,

View Comments

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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