Samsung Galaxy Android Oreo Update Info (2018)

The Samsung Galaxy Android Oreo update is making significant progress and today we want to take you through everything we know about the company’s plans for the Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S6, Galaxy Note 5, and its other Galaxy phones and tablets.

Android Oreo is rolling out for the Galaxy S8, Galaxy Note 8, the company’s Galaxy A series, the Galaxy S7, Galaxy Tab S3, and many others.

Many other Galaxy phone and tablet owners are waiting for news about their upgrades and we can fill in a several blanks for you as we push toward 2019.

This roundup will walk you through the important things to know about Samsung’s Galaxy Android Oreo updates and the Galaxy Oreo release for popular devices and mid-range phones and tablets. It also takes a look at Samsung’s official version of Android 8.1 Oreo and its plans for Android 9.0 Pie.

We’ll continue to update this guide as we, and others, receive more information about Samsung’s plans for Android Oreo so bookmark this page and check back in with us for regular updates.

Samsung Galaxy Oreo Update: What’s New

Let’s start with a few things you should know about Android 8.0 Oreo and the new Samsung Experience 9.0 UI.

Samsung’s version of Android Oreo isn’t identical to the version Google’s rolled out to its Pixel and Nexus devices, but the two share a lot in common.

Google’s Android 8.0 Oreo operating system is packed to the brim with new features, tweaks, and enhancements. It comes with 60+ new emoji, redesigned emoji, upgraded Notifications, improved boot speeds, deeper colors, Autofill, and several new security features.

One other notable change: Galaxy Android Oreo users are now unable able to store fingerprint, iris, or facial recognition data unless a secure screen lock such as a pattern, PIN, or password is being used.

We’ve put together a guide that compares Google’s version of Android Oreo to Android Nougat. It’s a great start place for those that want to learn the ropes.

As for Samsung’s version of Android Oreo, here’s what we know so far.

The company’s Samsung Experience 9.0 user interface is loaded up with new features, enhancements, and tweaks. Here are some of the features on board:

• Improvements to the Home Screen & Quick Panel
• Samsung Keyboard upgrades
• New Edge features
• Custom Colored Folders
• Improved Privacy in the Photo Gallery
• Clock Enhancements
• New emojis
• A whole lot more

We’ve also put together a list of the the best parts of the Samsung’s Android 8.0 Oreo update and the guide is worth a look if you haven’t been following along.

The Galaxy S9, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, and Galaxy Note 8 get the best version of Android 8.0 Oreo and the Samsung Experience UI, but that doesn’t mean every device will get the same feature set. Every Galaxy Oreo update will be a little bit different.

Older devices typically miss out on some features and carriers often put their own spin on major Android releases.

Samsung Galaxy Android Oreo Release

As for the Samsung Galaxy Oreo release, here’s what you need to know.

Samsung Galaxy S9 Oreo Updates

Samsung and its carrier partners are updating the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ with new Oreo builds and these new builds deliver security patches and a variety bug fixes.

If you’re struggling with performance issues or bugs, keep your eyes out for a new release as we make our way into 2019.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Oreo Release

The Android 8.0 update is rolling out to Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ Oreo users in Europe, the United States, and other regions around the world including the Netherlands, China, Germany, India, Poland, Scandinavian countries, and several others.

As for North America, Verizon was the first U.S. carrier to start rolling Android Oreo out to the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. T-Mobile’s also pushed Oreo out to the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. Sprint and AT&T Galaxy S8 users have also received their Android Oreo upgrade.

AT&T and T-Mobile have also released the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active Oreo update. The Sprint Galaxy S8 Active update is still in the shadows, but it shouldn’t be too far behind.

The Android Oreo update is now available for unlocked Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ models in the United States. It’s also pushing to the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ on U.S. Cellular.

Bell, Rogers, Telus and others have rolled the update out. So has fellow Canadian carrier Fido.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Oreo Release

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Oreo update is rolling out in Europe for several models including branded and unbranded models. The update’s also landed for the unlocked Galaxy Note 8 in the United Kingdom.

The Android Oreo update is also rolling out to the AT&T Galaxy Note 8, the Sprint Galaxy Note 8, and the Verizon Galaxy Note 8. It’s also available for the unlocked Galaxy Note 8.

T-Mobile’s Galaxy Note 8 Oreo update was paused on April 3rd, likely due to issues with the firmware, but it’s finally rolling out again.

In its note to Galaxy Note 8 users, T-Mobile says the following:

If your device meets the update requirements, this update will be available to you to download. To prevent network congestion, updates are briefly set on a scheduled daily limit.  If that limit is reached, check back again the next day, when the daily limit is lifted.

Carriers like Fido have pushed out the Galaxy Note 8 Oreo update, but other international carriers like Australian provider Vodafone, are still in the process of testing the software.

If you don’t want to wait for the official release, Snapdragon Galaxy Note 8 users can install the software and its features right now.

Samsung Galaxy S7 Oreo Release

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Oreo update is rolling out and it’s hitting unlocked Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge models in the United Kingdom. It’s also rolling out for Vodafone-branded Galaxy S7 models in the UK and South Korea.

The Galaxy S7 Oreo update is available to South Korean users bringing new features and the company’s April security patches to the former flagship. The update is available for the Galaxy S7 and the Galaxy S7 Edge.

Samsung’s also pushing the Galaxy S7 Oreo update to users in Sweden, other Nordic countries, Turkey, Spain, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Australia, China, and Belgium. It’s also pushing to Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge owners in India.

AT&T’s started rolling Android Oreo out to Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge users in the United States. The updates come with a long list of changes including Samsung’s April security patch.

The AT&T Galaxy S7 Android Oreo update is 1.7GB and it carries build number G93xAUCU4CRE4.

As for everyone else, Verizon’s pushed Android Oreo updates for the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, and both are rolling out after a bit of a delay.

Sprint is also rolling out its version of the Galaxy S7 Android Oreo update and it’s hitting both the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge right now.

T-Mobile is also pushing Android 8.0 Oreo to the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge after a lengthy wait. Like the others, the T-Mobile Galaxy S7 Oreo update is big, 1.5GB+, but it brings a long list of changes with it.

After a long delay, U.S. Cellular’s finally released Android Oreo for its Galaxy S7 models. The update is known as G930R4TYU4CRF2 and it’s available via Samsung Kies right now.

Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge users who don’t want to install it manually via Samsung Kies will see the update popup as a download in the near future.

Samsung’s also rolling the Oreo update out to owners of the unlocked Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge in the United States. The update is 1.5GB.

The Galaxy S7 Active Oreo rollout is also available to download. AT&T’s rolling Android 8.0 and Experience 9.0 out to theC rugged version of the Galaxy S7.

The update is 1.5GB and it comes with Samsung’s security patches from April, FirstNet IOC2, Mobile Hotspot APN support, Samsung Experience 9.0, and more.

Samsung is also rolling out its first batch of post-Oreo updates to the Galaxy S7. These updates have important security patches on board. The update is currently rolling out in Europe and should spread to other regions soon.g

Samsung Galaxy A8 (2018) Oreo Release

Samsung is finally pushing Android Oreo to the Galaxy A8 (2018) and Galaxy A8+ (2018) and it includes an assortment of upgrades and Samsung’s July security patches.

The update is currently available in Russia and Ukraine and we expect it to land in other regions in the weeks ahead.

Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) Oreo Release

The Galaxy A7 Oreo update is currently rolling out to users in Turkey, Vietnam and Russia. The update is 1.3GB in size and it brings a collection of changes including the latest security patches from Samsung and Google.

Samsung Galaxy A5 (2017) Oreo Release

The Samsung Galaxy A5 2017 Oreo update is reportedly rolling out bringing new features, enhancements, and fixes to the budget device. The update is 1.2GB.

Samsung started Russia, but the update has since spread to regions like Canada and Turkey.

Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017) Oreo Release

The Samsung Galaxy A3 Android Oreo update is rolling out in Russia and several countries in Europe (including the Netherlands) bringing new features and enhancements to the mid-range device.

The Galaxy A3 (2017)’s Oreo update’s expanded to Europe and is now available in Austria, Turkey, and Germany, among others. Unfortunately, it looks like that version of the update was causing major problems. Fortunately, it looks like Samsung’s fixed them in a new update that includes the latest security patches.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 FE Oreo Release

The Android Oreo update is hitting the Galaxy Note 7 Fan Edition (FE) in South Korea. Specifically, we’re hearing that it’s available for the models on LG U+ and SK Telecom.

We expect the update to hit more Galaxy Note 7 FE models in South Korea and other parts of the world in the near future so if you bought the Galaxy Note 7 model that doesn’t blow up, be on the lookout for the software as we cruise into May.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Oreo Release

Samsung’s rolling out the Galaxy Tab S3 Oreo update, the first Android Oreo update for a Galaxy tablet.

The update is currently rolling out to two models, the SM-T820 and SM-T825 (Wi-Fi only and LTE-enabled), in the United Kingdom.

The Galaxy Tab S3 Oreo update is also rolling out in the United States. Verizon is pushing Android 8.0 and Samsung Experience 9.0 to its version of the tablet. The update includes the April security update.

It’s going to take a few weeks for the update to expand, but we expect more Galaxy Tab S3 Oreo updates to start going out before the end of the month.

Samsung Galaxy C7 Pro Oreo Release

Samsung is reportedly pushing Android 8.0 Oreo to the Galaxy C7 Pro in China.

Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro Oreo Release

The Samsung Galaxy C9 Pro Android Oreo is rolling out in China.

Samsung Galaxy J3 (2017) Oreo Release

Samsung is finally pushing Android Oreo to the Galaxy J series and it’s starting with the Galaxy J3 (2017) in select regions.

Android 8.0, not Android 8.1, is pushing to the Galaxy J3 (2017) in Russia and the United Arab Emirates bring new features and security patches to the mid-range device.

The update is limited to those regions right now, but we expect it to expand in the weeks ahead.

These Galaxy Devices Will Get Android Oreo

Samsung hasn’t released a full list of devices it plans to upgrade to Android Oreo, but that doesn’t matter. Samsung typically upgrades devices for two years which means we can put together a list of probable Galaxy Android 8.0 updates:

• Galaxy A8 (2016)
• Galaxy J7 (2017)
• Galaxy Tab E 8
• Galaxy Tab A
• Galaxy J7 Pro
• Galaxy J7 Duo
• Galaxy J6
• Galaxy J5 Pro
• Galaxy J5 Prime (Coming Soon)
• Galaxy J4
• Galaxy J3
• Galaxy Tab Active 2

These devices appear on an unofficial list of Galaxy Android 8.0 updates from Chinese-language site Weibo, an unofficial list of update from XDA-Developer forums, and an upgrade list from Samsung Turkey.

Samsung Turkey’s confirmed Android Oreo updates for the Galaxy J7 Pro, Galaxy J5 Pro, and Galaxy J3 (SM0-J330F) for release in October.

Samsung says it plans to deliver an update for the Galaxy Tab J7 Max in December. The company then plans to roll Oreo out to the Galaxy Tab A (2017), Galaxy A9 Pro, Galaxy C7 Pro, Galaxy C9 Pro, Galaxy J7 (2017), Galaxy On5, Galaxy On7 (2016), and Galaxy On7 (2017) sometime in January, 2019.

Those updates will be followed by Oreo updates for the Galaxy J7 Max in February and the Galaxy J7 (2016) sometime in March, 2019.

T-Mobile’s confirmed a handful of other Android 8.0 Oreo updates including upgrades for the Galaxy J7 Prime and Galaxy Tab E 8.

The carrier also listed Android Oreo updates for the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, and Galaxy Note 5, but there’s still a very good chance these devices stay on Nougat.

The Galaxy Tab 4’s also shown up at the Wi-Fi Alliance with Android 8.0 Oreo on board, but it’s unclear if the device from 2014 will get bumped to the new version of Android.

These Galaxy Devices Might Not Get Android 8.0 Oreo

If you own a device that’s two years old or one that’s received two major Android updates, the odds of getting a boost to Android Oreo are slim.

This means popular devices like the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 5 (despite what T-Mobile is saying) are on the chopping block. In fact, Samsung’s killed monthly and quarter security updates for the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 5.

Samsung Turkey typically announces updates months in advance and the regional arm hasn’t said anything about Oreo for the Galaxy Note 5 or Galaxy S6.

Along with the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 5, here are a few other devices that might stay put on Android Nougat:

• Galaxy S6
• Galaxy S6 Edge
• Galaxy S6 Active
• Galaxy Note 5
• Galaxy A7 (2016)
• Galaxy A5 (2016)
• Galaxy A3 (2016)
• Galaxy J3 (2016)
• Galaxy J2 (2016)

This isn’t an official list and we could see some names added, and subtracted, from both of these lists before everything is said and done.

In fact, the Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, and Galaxy Note 5 all made an appearance on that unofficial list of devices getting Android 8.0 Oreo. They also, as we’ve mentioned, made it to T-Mobile’s list.

Earlier this year a Samsung customer service rep claimed that the Galaxy S6 Android Oreo update would start rolling out in January or February, but that obviously didn’t happen.

December Samsung Galaxy Security Update

Samsung continues to roll out monthly security updates with patches for potential exploits and, in some cases, bug fixes for Android problems.

The latest release is the December security update and it delivers fixes for six critical vulnerabilities and a whopping forty fixes for Samsung’s own Vulnerabilities and Exposures (SVE).

The December security update is rolling out to several devices including the Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy J6+, Galaxy J4, and Galaxy A5 (2017). We expect it to hit more flagship models and mid-range devices in the near future.

For more on the contents of Samsung’s security patches, have a look at Samsung’s security bulletin.

Samsung’s put together lists of devices getting monthly, and quarterly, security updates. The Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge have, again, been taken off the list. So have the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+.

Monthly Security Updates

• Galaxy S series (S9, S9+, S8, S8+, S8 Active, S7, S7 edge, S7 Active)
• Galaxy Note series (Note 9, Note 8)
• Galaxy A series (A5 (2016), A5 (2017), A8 (2018))

Current Models for Quarterly Security Updates

• Galaxy A3 (2017), Galaxy A7 (2017)
• Galaxy A6 (2018), Galaxy A6+ (2018), Galaxy A8+ (2018), Galaxy A8 Star
• Galaxy J2 (2018)), Galaxy J2 Core (2018)
• Galaxy J3 Pop, Galaxy J7 Pop, Galaxy J3 (2017), Galaxy J5 (2017), Galaxy J3 Top
• Galaxy J7 (2017), Galaxy J7 Max, Galaxy J7 Neo, Galaxy J7 Duo, Galaxy J7 Top, Galaxy J7+ (2017)
• Galaxy J4, Galaxy J6, Galaxy J8
• Galaxy Tab S2 L Refresh, Galaxy Tab S2 S Refresh, Galaxy Tab S3 9.7, Galaxy Tab S4 10.5
• Galaxy Tab Active2, Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016), Galaxy Tab E (8.0) Refresh, Galaxy Tab A (2017), Galaxy Tab A 10.5
• Galaxy Note FE
• Galaxy S8 Lite

Oddly enough, it looks like the Galaxy Tab S4 and Galaxy Tab A 10.5 (2018) will get quarterly updates from the get go. This is a bit odd for new devices, but it’s not uncommon for Samsung’s tablet line.

These lists are subject to change so you’ll want to keep an eye on them every month. Once a device is scrubbed from the list, updates will come at a slower pace.

Samsung Galaxy Android 8.1 Update

Samsung continues to roll out new Android 8.1 Oreo updates.

The Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy Tab S4, and Galaxy Tab A 10.5 are all running Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. Samsung’s new Go device, the Galaxy J2 Core, also runs Android 8.1 out of the box. Samsung’s also pushing Android 8.1 Oreo to devices that were previously running Android Nougat.

For more on those updates, take a look at our guide.

Samsung Galaxy Android Pie Update

Samsung’s finally confirmed Android 9.0 Pie and the update is currently in beta for select Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, and Galaxy Note 9 users ahead of an official release in January, 2019.

Samsung is also working on Android Pie for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 though older devices like the Galaxy S7 may not get the upgrade.

For more on Samsung’s plans for Android Pie, take a look at our guide.

Install Oreo If You Want to Improve Your Security

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If you value your security, and we assume all of you do, you should think about installing the Galaxy S8 Oreo update soon after it arrives for your phone.  Samsung continues to release important security patches for Galaxy-branded devices and your Galaxy S8's Android 8.0 Oreo update should bring the latest patches from Samsung, and Google, to your phone.  The Galaxy S8 Android Oreo update delivers the company's latest security updates and we expect upcoming releases to come with newer security patches. If you're curious about Samsung's security updates, you can read more about the changes on Samsung's website.  If you failed to download an older security update from another month, you'll get those patches when you go to install Android Oreo on your Galaxy S8 for the first time.  The Galaxy S8 Oreo update also comes with security improvements to Samsung Pay, Samsung's popular mobile payment solution. If you use Samsung Pay, you should probably download the Android Oreo update soon after it arrives for your phone.  It also comes with some enhancements to Find My Mobile including the ability to remotely back up Secure Folder to Samsung Cloud when you lose your phone and a way to lock up Samsung Pass using Find My Mobile. On top of those features, Oreo comes with enhancements to the device's Biometrics. Features that use biometrics like your face, fingerprints, and irises are only available when you use a secure screen lock type (pattern, PIN, or password). If you decide to switch to a non-secure screen lock type (Swipe or None), the device will automatically suspend biometric authentication for unlocking and for verification in apps like Samsung Pay and Samsung Pass.

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