Motorola is now distributing a software package that upgrades the OS version of the Moto G5S Plus to Android 8.1 Oreo. According to the device maker’s support website, the software upgrade brings a number of new features, including improved multitasking and more efficient notification controls. In addition, the update also introduces an improved data saver feature and a redesigned user interface for the power menu. There are also several under-the-hood improvements that the update brings to the device, including enhancements made to the smartphone’s Bluetooth performance, improved battery features, and support for new APIs controlling neural networks and shared memory. The former API allows neural networks to operate in more components of the operating system, while the latter tool enables applications to allocate shared memory for faster access to common app data.
Aside from the major operating system upgrade, the software package also brings the May 2018 Android security patch to the Moto G5S Plus. The security package includes fixes for vulnerabilities found in the media framework and the system portion of the Android operating system. The software package is currently rolling out automatically, and it may take several days before all units of the Moto G5S Plus receive the update.
The smartphone manufacturer recommends users to download the software package only when the device is connected to a Wi-Fi network. Moreover, people are advised to verify first if the device has enough battery charge to last through the entire update process, and it is also recommended that the files and images stored on the device are backed up to a microSD card or a personal computer before initiating the installation. The Moto G5S Plus is powered by the Snapdragon 625 chipset, has a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels and a dual rear camera setup sporting two 13-megapixel sensors. At launch, the handset shipped with Android 7.1 Nougat.