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May 10, 2019: As promised, Android Q beta is available for the Essential Phone. The phone is part of the more than 15 non-Pixel devices that will be taking part in testing Q ahead of its projected August 2019 release date.
Elsewhere, Sprint is also rolling out a new update that installs May 2019 security patch. Besides the improved security, the new update, which is arriving as version PQ1A.190105.058, also includes Bluetooth fix for audio routing and stability fix to improve shutdown responsiveness.
April 01, 2019: The Essential Phone, even though it might not get a successor anytime soon, is having some good times as far as software updates are concerned. The Sprint variant of the handset has recently received a new update that not only installs April 2019 security patches but also brings adjustments to the minimum brightness and volume settings.
The update, which is rolling out over the air, has version PQ1A.190105.045, which is still based on Android Pie. Yes, the Essential Phone will also get an update to Android Q when the stable version arrives later this year.
Original article below:
The Essential Phone launched with lots of expectations, both from the makers and consumers. However, things have been quite rough along the way, which is pretty normal for any novice entity. As time progresses, though, the Essential Phone has gotten better all thanks to the impressive software support team and it’s even going to get better.
Essential Phone update timeline
| Date | Software version | Changelog |
| 06 May 2019 | PQ1A.190105.058 | Android 9 | May 2019 security patch, Bluetooth fix for audio routing, and stability fix to improve shutdown responsiveness |
| 04 Mar 2019 | PQ1A.190105.024 | Android 9 | March 2019 security patch and support for Digital Wellbeing |
| 04 Feb 2019 | PQ1A.190105.014 | Android 9 | February 2019 security patch, improved performance and bug fixes, and modem security patches |
| 07 Jan 2019 | PPR1.181005.116 | Android 9 | January 2019 security patch |
| 03 Dec 2018 | PPR1.181005.099 | Android 9 | December 2018 security patch |
| 05 Nov 2018 | PPR1.181005.076 | Android 9 | November 2018 security patch and support for Essential Audio Adapter HD |
| 01 Oct 2018 | PPR1.181005.034 | Android 9 | October 2018 security patch, restores settings for customizing the notch area |
| 04 Sep 2018 | PPR1.180905.036 | Android 9 | September 2018 security patch |
| 06 Aug 2018 | PPR1.180610.091 | Android 9 | Installs Android 9 Pie stable OS and August 2018 security patch |
| 04 July 2018 | OPM1.180104.267 | Android 8.1 | July 2018 security patch and Android Auto stability improvements |
| 07 May 2018 | OPM1.180104.166 | Android 8.1 | May 2018 security patch |
| 07 Apr 2018 | OPM1.180104.141 | Android 8.1 | April 2018 security patch, support for Bluetooth 5.0, fixes for network modem for better connectivity, and improved handling of external game controllers |
| 13 Mar 2018 | OPM1.180104.092 | Android 8.1 | Installs Android 8.1 Oreo stable, March 2018 security patch, and fixes slow scrolling jitter problem |
| 14 Feb 2018 | OPM1.180104.010 | Android 8.1 | Installs Android 8.1 Oreo beta, February 2018 security patch, and bug fixes |
| 06 Dec 2017 | NMJ32F | Android 7.1 | Fixes for International LTE Roaming, KRACK, and other bugs |
| 15 Nov 2017 | OPM1.170911.130 | Android 8.0 | Installs Android 8.0 Oreo beta (later canceled in favor of Oreo 8.1) |
| 14 Oct 2017 | NMJ03B | Android 7.1 | Fixes bugs, improved performance, updates the camera app and further includes some framework changes |
| 14 Sep 2017 | NMI30E | Android 7.1 | Pre-installed |
Essential Phone Android Q update
- Android Q update confirmed
Through one of its Reddit AMAs held every month, Essential confirmed that the PH-1 will be upgraded to Android Q in 2019. Google is expected to launch Q developer preview in Q1 2019 and follow it with a stable rollout in August 2019 or maybe earlier, which is when we can expect the PH-1 to receive the Q update.
Q will be the third and last major OS upgrade for the device.
Related: Android Q: Expected name, features, and more
Essential Phone Android 9 Pie update
- Stable update released on August 6, 2018
- Public beta testing had started in May 2018
Thanks to the support for Google’s Project Treble, the Essential Phone received Android Pie stable OTA at the same time as the Google Pixel and Pixel 2.
Related: The best Android Pie features
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to drop by the comments section and we’ll jump in with the help you need.
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