PSA: Android 8.0 Oreo is next for Galaxy devices on Android 7.0, not 7.1.2

Samsung has pushed the Nougat update to a lot of devices in its Galaxy lineup in recent months, and it’s fair to say that most of the devices that are expected to get Nougat already have the update, even if not in every market or region. As you may have noticed, Samsung is only bringing Android 7.0 to devices rather than 7.1.1/7.1.2, and for those that get the new Samsung Experience user interface, the company is bringing over version 8.1 as seen on the Galaxy S8. Version 8.5 is exclusive to the Galaxy Note 8 and other devices that launched this month, like the Galaxy Tab A, for the time being.

While Android 8.0 Oreo will be the next major update for Samsung devices (see which Galaxy phones and tablets are expected to be upgraded to Oreo in this regularly updated list), a lot of our readers seem to be holding out for the Android 7.1.1/7.1.2 update. We’re guessing that a majority of these readers are those who have moved to Samsung’s “galaxy” from a non-Samsung device, or just folks who aren’t aware of how the company goes about updating its devices when it comes to point Android version upgrades.

Well, we thought we would clear the air for anyone thinking their Nougat-powered Galaxy phone or tablet will be updated to Android 7.1.1 or 7.1.2: That isn’t going to happen, and 7.0 is likely to be the last version of Android for any Samsung device not slated to get Android 8.0 Oreo. The same goes for the new Samsung Experience UX. If it hasn’t come to your device with Nougat, it’s possible it will only arrive with Oreo, or not at all (though we’re hopeful on this front).

Android 7.1.1 or 7.1.2 for pre-Galaxy Note 8 devices is unlikely

Yes, 7.0 is what your phone or tablet, if it has received an update to Nougat, will be stuck on for the rest of its life. That’s if it isn’t set to get Oreo, which is going to be the case for a slew of devices. But being stuck on 7.0 isn’t exactly a bad thing. Versions 7.1 and 7.1.1 of Nougat have features and changes mostly specific to Google’s Pixel and Nexus devices, and those targeting developers. Samsung has no doubt implemented most of the under-the-hood changes in 7.0 without changing the version number.

Android 7.1.2, meanwhile, is pretty much only for Google and Pixel devices, which is why even the Note 8 doesn’t come with 7.1.2. For some features, such as the ability to long-press on an app shortcut on the home screen and accessing quick functionality, you can take a look at third-party launchers such as Google Now Launcher and Nova Launcher.

If Samsung changes its mind and decides to bring Android 7.1.1 to existing phones, we won’t complain. But it doesn’t look likely at this point, and again, we just thought we would clear this up for anyone expecting to see their Galaxy phone or tablet jump from Android 7.0 to Android 7.1.1 or 7.1.2.