14 DAY TRIAL // Google has just confirmed that the rollout of Android 8.1 Oreo would begin tomorrow for the very first devices, with select Nexus, Pixel, and Pixel 2 models to be provided with the OTA update in just a few hours.
While it’s being rumored that the update could start showing up as soon as today, Google’s announcement dated December 5 says the Android 8.1 release will take place tomorrow, so you better not start checking for updates every minute already. Depending on the time zone and region, the release date of Android 8.1 Oreo could vary, but either way, we’re not very far from the moment Google presses the go-ahead button.
Android 8.1 update is already available for beta testers as part of a preview program that kicked off on October 25 with the very first release. What was believed to be the final developer preview saw daylight last week, and Google is now ready to begin the public rollout to all devices across the world.
Factory images not out just yet
Google promised Android 8.1 would be shipped before the end of the year, so by launching it today or tomorrow the company holds onto its promise, though not the same thing can be said about the other phone makers.
Samsung, for instance, is still working on the update to Android 8.0 Oreo for its smartphones, including for the high-end Galaxy S8, and there are rumors that the upcoming S9 expected in early 2018 won’t launch with version 8.1. Others have already shipped Android 8.0, including Sony, for supported models, and the 8.1 update should follow in the coming weeks and months.
Google hasn’t yet updated the factory images and OTA update files for Android 8.1 Oreo, but when they go live, this is where they’ll become available for download. We’ll, of course, update the article with direct download links when this happens.
Android 8.1 Oreo comes with a long series of improvements, but the most exciting improvement for owners of the second-generation Pixel is certainly the unlocking of the Visual Core image processing chip that substantially improves camera quality. We’ve already tested this with the preview builds of Android 8.1 and the results are impressive, to say the least, and very soon devices in the production ring should be able to experience this as well.