7 Reasons Why You Won’t Get Android 8 Oreo On Your Smartphone

“The Sweetest Version of Android”, said Google at the launch event of Android 8 Oreo.

The latest version of the Android OS does sound tasty for a number of unique reasons. The new Android 8 Oreo has a host of new features, from improved to picture-in-picture (PiP) mode to 3D pop ups for apps. Plus, it has a new notification system for the lockscreen, new performance improvements which will improve battery life and a new batch of emojis.

The Android Oreo might not be a substantial update to the Google Android platform, but is loaded with enough new features, which will be highly useful. Provided your phone gets it.

Google have sent out Android O update to Pixel and the Pixel XL users. Next in the line are the ex-Google devices – Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X and other Nexus devices.

So far, so good. But when it comes to other manufacturers, things get complicated. Only a handful of existing non-Google devices are likely to get the next Oreo update, like Nokia 6 and Galaxy S8.

Here are 7 reasons why probably you will get never get to taste the Oreo.

1. You Don’t Use A Google Phone

The Google phones will be the first in the line to get the Oreo update. First the Pixel phones, and next up will be the Nexus phones. But, rest of the Android phones on earth are definitely not from Google. So OEMs need to step up their game and push out updates as fast as Google comes up with them.

2. You Use An Indian Brand Phone

All Indian smartphone makers are really bad at updating their phones when it comes to new version of Android. So, in case you are using an Indian brand phone, we suggest not to wait for the new Android 8 Oreo update, and start planning for a new smartphone.

3. Your Phone Doesn’t Have Stock Android

The phones from other OEMs which run stock Android, are the ones who get the newer version updates faster than the ones which don’t. Smartphones like Nokia 5, Nokia 6 and Nokia 3 and Moto phones are likely to get the latest update very soon. Stock Android is free from unnecessary software layers and bloatware. Hence, it can be easily pushed out to phones running stock Android.

4. You Use A Chinese Brand’s Smartphone

Redmi Note 4 got the Nougat update,when Oreo was getting launched (a year later). Chinese manufacturers like Xiaomi and Huawei easily take up to a year to bring the latest Android version to their devices. Chinese phones have a heavily customized ROM, which makes it harder to push out the latest version of Android to its smartphones. You can expect the newer handsets to launch with the latest version of Android 8 Oreo or maybe not.

5. Your Device Is Over One Year Old

If you are using a phone which is over 6-8 months old, chances are there, that you will not get the Oreo update. Unless you use a high-end Moto phone or Nexus, phones which are over a year old, won’t get the Oreo update. The current flagships will be in line to receive the updates, but they’ll be receiving it much later as OEMs prioritise their new and upcoming phones for the latest Android version update.

6. Custom Software Is Incompatible

Several devices run a customized version of Android and such devices often fail to support the latest version of the OS. Due to bloatware and incompatibility of custom features, devices fail to update to the newer versions.

7. Android’s Fragmentation Problem Is Real

With the slow update rollout, Android’s other big issue is their slow update adoption. The issue is as old as Android itself. Even with the latest Android version released, you will still find people using Kitkat or Lollipop or Marshmallow version of Android. The problem is the OEM ‘customizations’, which take time to be rolled out to the newer versions.

Android 8 Oreo: In Conclusion…

So, there it is. Slow updates has always been an Achilles heel of Android. This is one area where IOS wins over Android. Google has been working with OEMs to minimize the delay in rolling out updates to all possible Android devices. But a lot still needs to be done. What are your thoughts on this? Do you sacrifice the latest version of Android to stay with your favourite brand of smartphone? Sound off in the comments below.