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LG Android 10 Update: What to Expect

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With the LG Android 10 update rolling out to several phones and new information about LG’s update plans, we want to take you through everything we know about upcoming LG Android 10 updates. Whether that’s an LG Android 10 beta, the UX 9.0 update and more.

Google’s Android Q update is known as Android 10. The company moved away from using food-based names, at least for the time being.

If you’re wondering “will my LG phone get Android 10?” the answer is a big “maybe”.  While any phone released in the last 18 months should receive an upgrade, here in 2020 LG is still finishing the Android 9 Pie update from last year on some devices.

So far LG has released Android 10 for popular phones like the LG G7 and LG G8, but those are only in select regions around the globe. That said, we are starting to see more and more arrive in the US, like the LG G8 Android 10 update on T-Mobile in February, and a few others LG Android 10 releases are on the way.

Popular smartphones from all major manufacturers will get a free update to Android 10 when it’s released by each company. So far, only a small list of popular devices have Android 10, but that list will grow substantially throughout 2020.

Will My LG Phone Get Android 10?

While we’ve heard from several manufacturers like Samsung, OnePlus, or Nokia about Android 10 updates, LG is staying relatively quiet, just as expected.

Unfortunately, the first official announcement from LG Italy isn’t good news regarding upcoming and current LG Android 10 update release plans. Not only are they taking their sweet time, but they’re not communicating very well with customers either. LG just confirmed some important updates are coming in 2020, but they’ll be very slow and late compared to the competition.

Basically, don’t expect LG to offer this new software very quick. That said, the first updates started rolling out at the end of November 2019, with the LG G8 Android 10 update outside the US, then in December for the LG G7 One in the United States.

These are the phones that LG confirmed will see updates in 2020.

  • Already Available: LG G8 and G7 models in the US (and unlocked models)
  • February 2020: LG V50 models (like Sprint in Feb)
  • Q2 2020: LG G8, G8X
  • Q3 2020: LG G8S, V40, and G7
  • Q4 2020: LG K50S, K40S, K50, and Q60

Missing from this list are several versions of the LG G7, the LG V35, or even the relatively new budget-friendly LG Q8. That said, we’re happy to see other models like the LG K series on the list, even if the updates aren’t scheduled until the end of the year.

As a reminder, the Android 10 update got released in September, so if LG really takes until Q3 of 2020 to deliver it to something like the LG V40, the update will be over a year late. That’s troubling considering even the older Samsung’s Galaxy S9 already got it, while LG is nowhere near delivering it to its flagship device from the end of 2018.

Sadly we saw a similar situation last year where the LG V30 got Android 9 Pie 14 months late, and later than devices like the OnePlus 3 released in 2016. Basically, we’re not too confident in the speed of updates, or that they’ll all even be released by LG.

Leak showing Android 10 on the LG V50 and LG G8

We do have good news though. We’re already starting to see signs and leaks about the LG V50 Android 10 update, which is being tested internally by employees or someone that leaked the screenshot shown above. Since then, it hit devices on Sprint back on February 12th, but we did hear LG delayed the V50 rollout to fix some problems.

The company released an all-new LG UX 9.0 software video, showing off Android 10 with LG’s completely redesigned software, and it looks pretty great as you can see below. However, a day later that video was taken down by LG. Here’s a copy of that video, showing you LG’s new interface on the LG G8.

LG Android 10 Update Release Date

So when will your LG phone get the Android 10 update? We’re not really sure. This is another gray area for the company. We know a bunch of phones will get a piece of the 10th version of Android, eventually, but we have no solid date to share.

If there’s a silver lining here, it’s that we saw the first few leaks of Android 10 and the LG UX 9.0 (which they might rename to UX 10) way back in September, just days after Google officially released Android 10. That means LG is at least busy working on it and presumably have been for months.

Now that we’re finally seeing the first LG update for the LG G8 Thin Q to Android 10, expect new devices like the LG V50 to get it next. LG is also sending the update to unlocked models of the G8, which is a good sign. However, don’t expect to see the LG Android 10 update in the United States on very many devices until this summer. International models will get it first, then carrier models will follow. It looks like February-April will be a big time for LG updates.

LG Android 10 Beta

Right now we have no information regarding a potential LG Android 10 beta. In previous years, LG was one of the first to offer betas and quickly delivered software to owners. They had Android 8.0 Oreo betas in November back in 2017, just 2-3 months after Google released the update, but nothing publicly in previous years with Android 9 Pie or Android 10.

And while it does look like there are a few betas floating around, they’re private and not open to the public. Your guess is as good as ours. Sorry.

What’s New in Android 10

A lot of the new features and big changes in Android 10 are specific to the Google Pixel. That said, there are dozens and dozens of great changes for all Android phones, including those from LG. Even their cheapest model will benefit from most of the new additions.

Whether that’s the system-wide Dark Theme, improved privacy controls, Digital Wellbeing Focus Mode, better graphics, improved battery life and much. You can also expect LG to add their own sprinkle of new features, then add most of Google’s in too. The list includes:

  • Improved Privacy Protection & Controls
  • Privacy Manager
  • Expanded Location Controls
  • Multi-Tasking Bubbles
  • Support for Foldable Displays
  • Sharing Shortcuts
  • Smart Reply, Suggested Actions
  • Live Caption
  • Settings Panels
  • Gestural Navigation
  • Theme Controls
  • Notification Assistant
  • Improved Peer-to-Peer and Internet Connectivity
  • Wi-Fi Performance Mode
  • Dynamic Depth Formats for Photos
  • New Audio and Video Codecs
  • Native MIDI APIs
  • Improved Vulkan Graphics & Neural Network APIs

If you’re curious about Google’s Android 10 features, we recommend checking out our walkthrough. It’ll take you through all the key changes. Otherwise, check out this video showcasing LG’s vision for Android 10.

Final Thoughts & What’s Next

In closing, we want to remind LG owners that updates are a slow process, even for a brand like Samsung. That said, high-end devices like the OnePlus 7 Pro already have Pie, and Samsung already delivered it for the Galaxy S10 and Note 10. Overall though, LG is still being very quiet, which doesn’t bode well. You might want to just buy the upcoming LG G9 instead of waiting.

Google released Android 10 in September following a 6-month beta period, which means developers and manufacturers like LG have potentially had around 11+ months to work on it. For now, be patient and we’ll update this post the moment we learn more about LG updates, plans, betas, or see any announcements.

Then, the next thing you can look forward to is Android 11, which Google just released the first developer preview for. Keep in mind that the actual global launch of Android 11 isn’t expected until July or August, so it’s not really a concern right now.

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