Most of us probably thought stable Android 8.0 “Oreo” would have arrived on the Essential Phone by now. After all, we have gone through three beta builds that have addressed a number of bugs. According a notice posted by Essential today, the phone will actually never see stable Android 8.0. Instead, Essential is switching their focus to Android 8.1, which they think will address some issues they’ve run into with 8.0.
The notice mentions “several stability issues” in Android 8.0 that they “believe will be addressed” in Android 8.1. Rather than continue on with Android 8.0 work, Essential will focus its “energy” on 8.1, which will push back their phone’s Oreo release a “couple weeks.”
They are planning to release an Android 8.1 “Oreo” beta, though, so that’s something we’ll keep an eye out for. They weren’t initially going to release a beta for 8.1, but I’d assume they want to make sure the issues that gave them concern in 8.0 have indeed been fixed. We don’t know when that beta will arrive.
We’ll keep you updated as new software rolls out to the Essential Phone.
https://twitter.com/essential/status/958478880641228801
Why anyone targets Android x.0 releases anyway is beyond me. The .1’s are usually out a few months after the announcements anyway and it’s not like they all rush to get them released early anyway.
as an Essential newbie, this sucks
but coming from the Blackberry Priv, i aint mad
This is a joke. This company has been 1 big massive meme in the Android community since the beginning. Don’t they only have like 1 app that’s not stock? I know that’s not the only issue but c Mon man.
Well, saying the PH-1 won’t see a stable 8.0 build is a little misleading. I’ve been running on the most recent beta 8.0 build since it came out and I’ve had zero issues.
I had an Essential phone for 2 months and sold it. A very nice design but w/ software issues galore. I just couldn’t handle it anymore. I’ve never had a phone for that short of time.
Well at least they didn’t pull a Motorola and just released 8.0 anyway and completely skip 8.1 for 9.0 when 9.1 is released.
Sounds like something that should’ve been considered in the first place.
Well at least they didn’t pull a Motorola and just released 8.0 anyway and completely skip 8.1 for 9.0 when 9.1 is released.
Totally a “delay” tactic as now they have to allow more runway to get 8.1 stable for release
8.1 better be rock solid then and be delivered on time. Everyone’s applauding their transparency and communication, but at the end of the day, they didn’t deliver on a promise (again)….
Wouldn’t be the first time for any company. The transparency and communication is what gives the pass time after time.
I mean unless you have a pixel, this is infinitely better than Samsung, Moto, LG, Huawei, or every other phone company on the planet.
But not Nokia or Sony or HTC.
I don’t follow much from Nokia or Sony. But, really HTC? They have a terrible track record. https://www.droid-life.com/2017/09/25/verizon-htc-one-m9-nougat
Good move.
….. This just sounds like they couldn’t get 8.0 out in a respectable time frame..and is now using 8.1 as the carrot.
I really really really hope they can get their software sht in order before the PH2. Because I want a PH2