Android firmware update roundup – April security patches, Note 8 US Oreo, & more

After a glorious couple of weeks with a constant stream of software updates, Samsung has hit a rut once again. Google is showing off its hard work in the form of the April security patch with dozens of fixes and improvements. BlackBerry is reviving dead models from the past, while Xiaomi is barely keeping the Google-experience alive for Mi A1 users.We’re still recovering from last week when Samsung led us to believe that an unexpected Oreo update was coming to a pair of older flagships. Alas, the plan was scrapped altogether as Samsung has officially ended software support for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. It's not unsurprising, given the age the devices, but we do with Samsung hadn't teased us. Nevermind, let’s get on with all the software updates we can look forward to this week.

What’s new this week?

Samsung

• Android 8.0 update out for Galaxy S8 Active on AT&T and T-Mobile.
• Unlocked Galaxy Note 8 begins receiving Android Oreo update in the US.
• Oreo soon to be out for Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, Galaxy A5 2017, and Galaxy A3 2017.
• Galaxy S8 and S8+ unlocked variants get Android Oreo in the United States.
• April security update out for Galaxy J1 Mini Prime.
• Battery life improvements on the Samsung Gear S3 with the latest update.
• No software update support for Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge anymore.

Google

• April security patch rolling out for Pixel and Nexus devices.

LG

• LG V30 users in Canada begin receiving Android 8.0 Oreo.

Xiaomi

• Mi A1 receives a new software update with several bug fixes.

BlackBerry

• New firmware pushed out for Blackberry Priv.

Asus

• ZenFone 5 Lite receives its first-ever software update.
• ZenFone 3 Laser and ZenFone 3 Zoom to receive Android 8.0 Oreo in June.

Essential

• April security update out for the Essential Phone.

Samsung

It was frustrating enough that the Android 8.0 update for the 2017 flagships was delayed by months. But for those of you who own the rugged Galaxy S8 Active, the pursuit of Oreo seemed to be an unending one, until now. Samsung is finally pushing out The Android 8.0 update for the Galaxy S8 Active in the United States. The software update is currently being pushed out through carriers AT&T and T-Mobile, while Sprint is yet to catch up.Weighing in at 1.2GB and just a tad larger for the T-Mobile variant, the update comes with new firmware version G892USQU1BRC4 on T-Mobile and G892AUCU2BRC5 for the AT&T version. Apart from everything that comes with Android Oreo and Samsung Experience 9.0 UX, you also get the March security patch.After crushing the dreams of hopeful Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge owners this week, Samsung will have to deliver the Oreo update to other more recent flagships. Based on the latest batch of certifications from the Wi-Fi Alliance, the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, plus the Galaxy A5 and Galaxy A3 2017 editions are all set to feature Android 8.0 Oreo very soon.Despite being well into the first week of April, the security patch release has been sluggish, as always. But another budget Android device, Galaxy J1 Prime Mini, is receiving the latest security update this week. Carrying the version number J106FJVU0ARC4, the update is currently rolling out to users in Russia.While not a part of the Android family, a popular smartwatch from Samsung is also receiving an update this week. Gear S3 is receiving an OTA update in South Korea and Canada, carrying the build number R760XXU2CRC3. The minuscule 38.76MB Tizen update is directed towards battery life improvements and Bluetooth stability.

Android 8.0 for unlocked Galaxy devices out in the US

Keeping its promise of updating all variants soon, Samsung is now pushing out an update for the unlocked Galaxy Note 8. The 2017 phablet has already received the much-awaited Android 8.0 update through all the major network carriers in the US. Firmware version N950U1UEU3CRC1 weighs in at 1.1GB in size and packs the March security update along with it.Speaking of unlocked variants of flagships getting Oreo, Galaxy S8 and S8+ units are finally receiving it. Weeks after the same was pushed out by every major network carrier in the United States, the update is finally landing with firmware builds G950U1UEU2CRB9 and G955U1UEU2CRB9. The 1.3GB software update includes the March security patch from last month.

Google

The monthly update for March brought a bunch of fixes for the Google and Nexus lineup, but not everything was perfect. Google has sieved through the forums to help find and resolve most of the issues that have been plaguing Pixel/Nexus users. The latest update comes with the April security patch and more than a dozen fixes for the Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL.While you can find the entire list of changes on the Security Bulletin, you can expect several fixes and improvements. From improved VoLTE and Wi-Fi calling to updated camera performance and UI upgrades — there’s a whole lot coming. The update seems to be more than just a regulatory one, so expect it to roll out in a staged manner.

LG

The South Korean company was quick to release the Android 8.0 update for the LG V30 in its home country. Every other user around the world had to wait months to get Oreo on their devices, but that wait finally ended for some more LG V30 users last week. It seems Canadian users are finally getting in on the act, with the Android 8.0 update rolling out right now.Similar to how the update came out in the US, Canadian network carriers are the first to bring it out. Reports suggest Telus, Rogers, and Bell are releasing the Android version update for their LG V30 users, with others to follow suit soon. The updated version H933 will bring Oreo as well as updated camera functionality, which hints at additional "ThinQ" AI features.

Xiaomi

After launching a bunch of different versions of the same MIUI 9.5 ROM last week, Xiaomi now back to focusing on its one and only Android One device. The Xiaomi Mi A1 software support may not be rock-solid, but it is keeping up with the pace. The latest update with version OPR1.170623.026.9.5.9 brings the March security patch from last month. More importantly, it comes with some key fixes for the “couldn’t flash ROM in 9008 mode” error and the random reboot issue.

BlackBerry

In an era when the Nokia name is making an impressive comeback (licensed by HMD Global), brands such as BlackBerry (licensed by TCL) are fading away. This week, the Canadian company has surprised us with an update out of nowhere for the forgotten BlackBerry Priv. The three-year-old Android device is receiving an update with version AAW068 packing a 100MB file size. The software update seems to be only regulatory, so don’t expect the old BlackBerry Priv to rock Android Oreo.

Asus

After updating the premium ZenFone 3 Deluxe to Android 8.0 last week, Asus isn’t following it up with good news for the other variants. The long-awaited Android Oreo update for ZenFone 3 Laser and ZenFone 3 Zoom won't be out until June. The report comes from Asus Malaysia on Twitter, citing “certain issues that need to be fixed”. In the meantime, the Taiwanese company is updating the newly-unveiled ZenFone 5 Lite right now, which brings speaker sound improvements.https://twitter.com/asusmobilemy/status/980740993656832002

Essential

Back when Andy Rubin unveiled the Essential Phone, it was supposed to be the market-breaker in the Android world. While it has not been as effective in doing so, the company has set a standard with quick software updates. The Essential Phone is now receiving a software update with the April security patch included. Looking at the changelog below, expect performance and stability improvements, along with Bluetooth 5.0 certification for premium connectivity, and added support for game controllers.

We're rolling out a new Oreo 8.1 build (141) that includes April security patches, Bluetooth 5.0 certified, modem stability fixes, and more. pic.twitter.com/KMoSmjIR47

— Essential (@essential) April 6, 2018

[symple_divider style="solid" margin_top="20" margin_bottom="20"]Are you downloading the latest OTA update from your Android OEM already, or still waiting with your fingers crossed? Remember, you can always skip the queue and get the latest Samsung Galaxy updates from our Updato Samsung Firmware collection. Hit us up in the comments or head over to the Updato Forum for some one-to-one time with our tech geeks.

SOURCES: T-MOBILE, ANDROID POLICE, SAMMOBILE, GOOGLE, XDA DEVELOPERS, XIAOMI, CRACKBERRY ADDITIONAL MAGES: ANDROID CENTRAL