Android 11 is officially launched today after months of betas – and it’s getting a wider version than expected, with the latest version available today not only for Pixel devices but for OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo and Realme phones as well.
As expected, the latest release of Android 11 is now available for download on Pixel 2, 3, 3A, 4 and 4A. OnePlus has also confirmed that the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro will get Android 11 today in North America, Europe and India. Google is also promising to expect “more partners release and upgrade devices in the coming months,” so today’s launch will likely be one of many Android 11 update announcements for the next few weeks.
Android 11 adds a variety of new features to Google’s mobile operating system, although the update as a whole focuses less on adding new functions and more on making it easier to manage the countless things your phone can actually do. The biggest change is how Android 11 handles conversations by grouping notifications from messaging apps in its own section under the notifications drop down and adding a bubble interface similar to Facebook Messenger to make it more intuitive.
There are also new media controls, a new screenshot interface, a system-wide smart home control menu that can be accessed by long pressing the power button, more restrictive permission settings, and more.
And while Android 11 will be available on many phones today, there are still some features exclusive to Google’s Pixel devices, including the new AR location sharing feature that aims to make it easier to meet friends, a feature built-in – in a version of Google’s Smart Reply function at Gboard in more chat apps and smart name folders.
For more information on the new update, check out our full Android 11 review here.
Update September 8, 1:30 p.m.: Additional details on Pixel-exclusive features have been added in Android 11.
