Android

5 Things to Know About the Galaxy Tab Android Oreo Update

Published

6 years ago

01/10/2018

With the first Samsung Galaxy Android Oreo roll out just days away, we’re taking a look at what we know, and think we know, about the Samsung Galaxy Tab Android Oreo update.

Samsung continues to push out new Galaxy Tab Android Nougat updates, but the company’s Nougat roll out will soon be replaced by Android 8.0 Oreo.

The company hasn’t confirmed any Android Oreo updates beyond the upgrades for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8, but the roll out is expected to touch a wide range of devices including Galaxy Tab tablets.

In this guide we’re going to take you through a few things you can expect from Samsung and its Galaxy Tab Android Oreo update in the United States and around the world.

Android 7.1.1 Nougat

If your Samsung Galaxy Tab is currently running Android Marshmallow, and it’s less than two years old, there’s a chance you’ll get Android 7.1.1 Nougat before your Android Oreo update arrives.

Samsung continues to upgrade Marshmallow-powered devices and its moving some of those devices from Marshmallow to Android 7.1.1 Nougat.

Several Galaxy Tab models were upgraded from Marshmallow to Android 7.1.1 in late 2017 and we could see that trend continue in 2018.

If your Galaxy Tab is currently running Android 7.0 Nougat, and it’s less than two years old, there’s a good chance you’ll stay on Android 7.0 until your Android Oreo update arrives.

Most of the changes from Google’s Android 7.1.1 update are in Samsung’s version of Android 7.0 so keep those stress levels to a minimum.

Will Your Galaxy Tab Get Android Oreo?

Samsung hasn’t confirmed any Galaxy Tab Android Oreo updates, but we can provide you with an official list ahead of the company’s announcements.

The company usually keeps its Galaxy devices upgraded with major Android software updates for two years before killing support for major Android upgrades.

If your Galaxy Tab is less than two years old, you should move from Android Marshmallow or Android Nougat to Android Oreo later this year.

If your tablet is more than two years old, your device is on the chopping block and might not make an official move to Android Oreo.

An unofficial list of Galaxy devices getting upgraded to Android Oreo.

An unofficial list of Galaxy Android 8.0 Oreo updates made the rounds last year and it includes several Galaxy Tab models.

If you own a Galaxy Tab S3, a Galaxy Tab S2, a Galaxy Tab A, or a Galaxy Tab Active 2, you should get Android Oreo. If you own another device, the odds are much slimmer.

Galaxy Tab Android Oreo Release Date

Samsung’s Android 8.0 Oreo beta ends on January 15th so we expect the first batch of updates to roll out sometime shortly after it ends.

The company hasn’t said, but we expect it to start with its current flagships. The Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, Galaxy S8 Active, and Galaxy Note 8 will probably be among the first to Android Oreo.

We could see newer Galaxy Tab models like the Galaxy Tab S3 near the front, but Samsung typically starts with its popular smartphones brands.

Android Oreo’s Project Treble could help the company deliver faster updates, but we don’t expect the Galaxy Tab Android Oreo update to roll out in January.

Galaxy Tab Android Oreo Update

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 Android Oreo updates have leaked, but the Galaxy Tab Android Oreo update hasn’t.

We don’t have a direct line on the changes coming with the Galaxy Tab’s version of Android Oreo, but we expect the update to come with some of the changes on board Samsung’s Android 8.0 Oreo updates for the Galaxy S8 and Note 8.

Samsung’s version of Android 8.0 Oreo comes with a long list of changes including an improved Samsung Keyboard, Home Screen and Quick Panel upgrades, custom colored folders, better privacy options for your Galleries, and new emojis for your keyboard.

If you’re interested in learning about these features ahead of the Galaxy Tab Android Oreo roll out, we’ve put together a guide that compares Android Oreo to Android Nougat and a guide that takes you through the Galaxy S8’s Android 8.0 Oreo update.

The official Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update could be a little different from the beta, but we expect most of the features on board the beta to make it into the final release.

Android 8.1 Oreo

For now, Samsung appears to be sticking with Android 8.0 Oreo as opposed to going with the newer version of Oreo.

Google recently released an Android 8.1 Oreo update and the company’s first maintenance release comes with more than patches and bug fixes. Its got some new features on board as well.

We haven’t seen any Android 8.1 Oreo features popup in the Galaxy S8 Android Oreo beta and that means we probably won’t see any emerge in the final release.

Samsung could deliver some of Android 8.1’s changes down the road, but for now, Galaxy Tab users should be focused on Android 8.0 Oreo.

8 Reasons to Wait for the Samsung Galaxy S9 & 4 Reasons Not To

Wait for the Galaxy S9 If You Want the Best Software

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If you plan on keeping your next phone for awhile you should strongly consider waiting for the Galaxy S9 launch.

If you're the type of person that typically waits two, three, four, even five years to upgrade your phone, the Galaxy S9 is probably worth waiting for.

Samsung probably won't advertise this on stage during the Galaxy S9's launch event, but the devices should receive at least two years of major Android OS upgrades and several more years of bug fix updates and important security patches.

While it might be tempting to go with a cheaper alternative like the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S7, their software support will be coming to an end much sooner.

Samsung typically stops upgrading devices with major OS upgrades after the two year mark which means the Galaxy S7 might not get Android 9.0 P.

The Galaxy S9's hardware also ensures the device will get robust versions of Samsung's next OS upgrades. Samsung's Android updates for older phones are often limited by aging hardware.

The Galaxy S9 should launch with an improved version of Samsung's Experience UI. Rumors point to a brand new UX complete with upgraded AI, Bixby 2.0 (an upgraded version of the Galaxy S8's personal assistant), and a take on Apple's Animoji feature on the iPhone X.

The Galaxy S9's software will reportedly include animal characters and allow users to share them with friends across messaging apps.

If you plan on keeping your next phone for several years and you want the latest features, fixes, and patches without having to install custom software, consider waiting a few more weeks to make your move.