How to Check If Your New Smartphone Is Running Last Year’s Android OS
The latest version of Android, Oreo, was released in August and brought with it many new features that have made Android more user-friendly. It also included services that made it easier for hardware manufacturers to update the software on their own devices. Unfortunately, buying a new phone today does not guarantee that you will have access to the latest version of the operating system, and may lead you to get stuck with last year’s version of Android for a while.
New Android smartphones still ship with older versions of Android, according to The Verge . Even future smartphones – devices that haven’t hit store shelves yet – still run last year’s version of Android. This makes buying a phone like the upcoming OnePlus 5T (running Android 7.0 Nougat) or the new HTC U11 Plus (paired with the more recent Android 8.0 Oreo) potentially limiting if you’re not sure which operating system you’re going to run into. with.
Before deciding to buy, you should research and verify the characteristics of your potential smartphone. If you are browsing the Internet, look for the link or tab next to the device’s feature list for specifications, or visit the manufacturer’s website for more information. All you need in this case is the operating system installed on your phone.
When looking for a new phone, you should narrow your selection down to devices with the latest version of Android, in this case Android 8.0 Oreo. Of course, you can’t say much about this if your new Android smartphone is a gift from a friend or family member. Still wondering how new is your smartphone’s operating system? You can check your software version by visiting the Settings app, scrolling down to System and selecting About Phone. Here’s a fun Easter egg: When you’re on the About Phone page, tap the Android Version field a few times to see a cool animation.
Even new phones no longer guarantee the latest version of Android | Facets