Update [December 08, 2017]: We can confirm that the 8.1 is rolling out as an OTA for regular users, and that Google has also uploaded firmware for those who want to install it manually. We can also confirm that pixelPixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL users who are on Developer Preview 2 build of Android 8.1 under the beta program, they are also receiving the OTA update to stable Android 8.1, just like other users.
Google announced yesterday that the Android 8.1 Oreo update would be released for Pixel and Nexus devices today. And, they have delivered. The updates are now available for the Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel 2, 2XL, Pixel C, Nexus 6P, and Nexus 5X.
There were two developer previews for Android 8.1 before the final release today. Both system images and OTA zip files are now available for the supported devices. We have provided the links for them at the end of the page.
Android 8.1 isn’t a major upgrade, and includes some minor UI changes and other under-the-hood improvements to make your device perform faster and better. However, there are one or two new features that need some limelight.
Read: Android 8.1 features
Firstly, Android 8.1 enables the Pixel Visual Core chipset on the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, which will improve the camera performance even more. Not only that, the update also includes a new Neural Networks API that uses this new chipset.
With the new API, which brings advanced machine-learning to mobile devices, developers can improve their apps and alongside the Visual Core chipset, take better photos with their apps. The HDR+ mode can now process images 5 times faster and use way less CPU resources.
Apart from that, Android 8.1 also includes some display changes to help reduce or get rid of screen burn-in issues with the new Pixel 2 XL.
Check out: How to root Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
And not to forget, Google is also releasing the new Android Oreo (Go Edition) which is designed for low-end smartphones that have slow processors, less storage, and less than 1GB of RAM. If you’ve got a Pixel or a Nexus device, you will also be able to download the update via OTA. However, if you don’t like to wait, then follow our guide to manually install the OTA update.
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