Android Pie Update Schedule: When's It Coming To Your Phone?

Paul Briden 22/08/2018 - 10:48am

Android Pie is out already, so when's it coming to your phone?

Google's now officially launched Android 9.0 and given this latest version its proper name - Android Pie.

Naturally, it'll be landing on Google devices first, including the first and second-gen Google Pixel phones. It'll also appear on the Google Pixel 3 series when they finally drop sometime in the next few months.

But what about everyone else?

Will Android Pie appear on Google's Nexus devices?

And what's going on with Samsung, Sony, Huawei, and HTC, amongst many, many others?

Well that's what this hub is for; a guide for when your Android phone will be updated, whatever brand it is wearing.

We do one of these with every major Android launch and, as always, it'll be a softly, softly approach, so you'll have to bear with us as we grow and develop it over time.

To start with, not many firms tend to reveal their plans, it ends up being sort of like a "who wants to go first?" situation for classroom presentations. Right now, not many phone makers are putting up their hands, as everyone shuffles and looks nervously at each other.

But in the coming weeks and months we're sure to get a trickle of details about who is updating what, and roughly when.

Eventually we'll get firmer schedules and plans rather than just vague "brackets" of when OEMs "hope" to update by.

Google

Android Pie is now already available for ALL Google Pixel phones - so that's the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, and Pixel 2 XL. It'll also come pre-installed on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL when they launch.

There is some sad news with Android Pie, however.

With previous new Android builds there was support for Google's older Nexus series devices, but gradually this has shifted to just the newer ones (Nexus 6P etc.).

Android P marks the first update where NO Nexus devices will be officially updated or supported on the build.

There was no Android P Developer Preview for Nexus handsets, unlike with previous builds, and Google has also confirmed there is no Android Pie Final Release support for Nexus hardware either.

That doesn't mean you won't be able to get Android Pie on a Nexus phone, however, it just won't be official, or officially supported. With some time, communities such as XDA-Developers will likely deliver Android to Nexus phones and tablets.

In fact, Android Pie custom ROMs have now started to surface for the Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P handsets.

A developer called Argruar has created Nexus PieX, while another developer called Myself5 teamed up with CarbonROM to make the Nexus 6P version.

Both updates can be found via XDA-Developers:

Nexus 6 – Android Pie CarbonBeta ROM
Nexus 5X – Android Pie Nexus PieX ROM

Remember that these are unofficial ROMs, they do work with Google's official Android ecosystem, but are not officially supported.

You download and install them at your own risk!

They're also not fully complete yet, although are functional. CarbonBeta ROM doesn't have working encryption right now and does have some mobile network connection issues.

Meanwhile SafetyNet and VoLTE aren’t working properly on Nexus PieX.

HTC

HTC took to Twitter to reveal its plans for the Android Pie update, it's coming to the HTC U12+, HTC U11+, HTC U11, and the Android One HTC U11 life.

Although those devices were confirmed, the company refrained from detailing a timeframe or schedule, not even a rough bracket just yet.

"We're pleased as pie to confirm updates to Android Pie for the HTC U12+, U11+, U11, and U11 life (Android One). Timeframes for roll-out will be announced in due course.

We can't wait to know what you think of Google's freshest slice of Android!"

Essential Phone - Essential PH-1

The Essential Phone, aka the Essential PH-1, has already been updated to Android Pie, and aside from Google's own hardware was pretty much the first device to update - literally the same day as Google's Pixel phones, in fact.

The firm announced it on Twitter:

"We’re proud to bring Android 9 Pie to Essential Phone the same day it’s released! Check your phone now for the update."

Nokia

Nokia/HMD has now confirmed that ALL of its Android phones will be updated to Android Pie!

Of course at this stage there's no indication of schedules for when each device will be bumped up. The firm spoke on Twitter about which phones would be updated.

"Android Pie will be available for the Nokia 3, 5, 6 and 8. Roll-out will be phased as usual to secure quality delivery. Nokia 7 Plus is part of the Android One program, which guarantees two years of software updates, including Pie."

Here's a full list of Nokia's phones which are expected to get Android Pie:

Nokia 1 (Android Go)
Nokia 2
Nokia 2.1 (Android Go)
Nokia 3
Nokia 3.1
Nokia 5
Nokia 5.1
Nokia 6
Nokia 6.1
Nokia 6.1 Plus
Nokia 7 (China)
Nokia 7 Plus
Nokia 8
Nokia 8 Sirocco
Nokia X6 (China)
Nokia X5 (China)

Expect the Nokia 7 Plus to get it first, due to its part in the Beta program. Nokia 8 and Nokia 8 Sirocco are also likely to get it sooner due to their status as premium flagship models. We'd then expect it to trickle down the range, but wouldn't rule out multiple handsets getting it at the same time.

HMD Global's Chief Product Officer, Juho Sarvikas, has confirmed that plans are afoot to update the Nokia 7 Plus to Android Pie inside September, though could not give a precise date at this time. That means we're likely looking at a few weeks at most before it rolls out. Assuming nothing else happens in the meantime, it would make the Nokia 7 Plus the second non-Google phone to be updated to Android Pie (the first being the Essential PH-1).

OnePlus

The OnePlus 6 is in a similar situation to the Nokia 7 Plus, having also participated in the Android Pie Beta, making it a dead cert for the full build even if you don't factor in that it's the latest flagship for the firm; another reason it's virtually guaranteed to get updated.

On top of this, OnePlus has itself confirmed officially that it plans to update the OnePlus 6 to Android Pie, followed by the OnePlus 5/5T, and then the OnePlus 3/3T, so the entire range is getting bumped up.

"OnePlus is committed to giving users the best possible experience, consistently delivering software updates for two years after the launch of a device, and security updates for an additional year after that," the firm said, in a statement.

"Over the past few months, we have been working closely with Google on the Android P Beta program. Thanks to everyone’s participation and continued feedback, the progress we have made together has been greatly accelerated. The Android P update will be available on the OnePlus 6, OnePlus 5/T and OnePlus 3/3T, in this order. We will keep you all updated in the coming months."

Again, no clues as to when just yet though.

Sony

Sony's another firm which had a handset in the Beta program, that being the Sony Xperia XZ2, which will therefore inevitably be updated to Android Pie in due course.

Sony's now confirmed that the Xperia XZ2 will be updated along with a handful of its other devices, according to a report from Gizchina. Here's the full list:

Xperia XZ2
Xperia XZ2 Compact
Xperia XZ2 Premium
Xperia XZ1
Xperia XZ1 Compact
Xperia XZ Premium

Sony went on to add that the update will begin in September and it's aiming to have them all done by November.

Huawei/Honor

Huawei hasn't said anything about Android Pie. About the only thing we do know is the Huawei Mate 20, Huawei Mate 20 Pro, and Huawei Mate 20 Lite are all going to launch in October with Android Pie onboard from the off. They'll also have a new version of Huawei's Emotion UI - EMUI 9.0, bringing both Android and the overlay up to the same version number.

It is somewhat safe to assume the Huawei P20 will be brought up to the same software build in due course.

Motorola (Lenovo)

Motorola has announced its plans to update nine handsets to Android Pie, which it says will be updated inside the rough bracket of "this fall", aka Autumn, aka Q3.

The company says the handsets updating to Android Pie can expect better battery life, an improved and colourful settings menu, enhanced split-screen multitasking, and a better suite of recent apps and navigation features, notifications, and Quick Settings.

"Fresh out of the oven, we’re excited to share that Android™ 9.0 Pie (Android P) is on its way to a Motorola smartphone near you. The new Android OS updates will give you a smarter and simpler user experience that adapts to you.

The more you use your phone, the better the experience gets over time. From the new Intuitive Navigation and Recent App, an improved Do Not Disturb mode, and a colorful settings menu, to anticipated longer battery life, revamped split-screen and more, Android P gives you that piece of pie you’ve been longing for.

Android P also brings a redesigned Quick Settings, simplified volume controls, an easier way to manage notifications and more."

Here's the full list of handsets which will be updated to Android Pie: