Newsletter 
Samsung is now pushing a new version of Android Oreo beta to its Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus variants, probably a final beta update before the company starts rollout out a stable build. The 8.0 version of Google’s mobile operating system has been officially released as of this past August, but the Galaxy S8 devices have yet to receive the software update. However, Samsung has released and has been perfecting its beta program for Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus owners. Just days before the promised end date of January 15th, several countries have seen what is believed to be the final beta update roll out. Since Samsung declared it would terminate the beta program for the two devices, it is likely the final version is imminent. Last year, when the beta for Nougat ended, the stable version was pushed out to Galaxy S7 users mere days later.
Two of Samsung Electronics’ most recent and best flagship devices, the eighth-generation Galaxy phones were announced in March of 2017 and hit the shelves in retail stores only few weeks afterward. Beginning with tiny bezels surrounding its Super AMOLED always-on display, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus boasted IP68 water-resistance, expandable storage, Qi and PowerMat wireless charging, respective 3000 and 3500mAh batteries, fast charging technology, an iris scanner, and somehow, even a headphone jack. On the inside, they rocked a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 with an Adreno 540 graphics chip. Paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage, both devices promised top-of-the-line specs. The flagships significantly improve upon many hardware features from the Galaxy S7, and also enhance Android’s platform with Samsung’s Grace User Experience (UX).
No devices receive updates as quickly as Google’s own Pixel and Nexus series, so this is not uncommon. The beta update fixes known bugs and issues for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus phones, and the stable version of Oreo is imminent. Last year, for reference, the preceding Galaxy S7 devices received the 7.0 version of Android Nougat mid-January, and also closed the developer preview just days before the OS upgrade was rolled out to non-beta consumers. The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus are choice devices, but Google’s Android Oreo build should make performance even better. It is believed that the Galaxy Note 8 will receive the Android 8.0 update shortly after the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus do, while the confirmed Galaxy S9 will launch with Oreo out of the box.
