Google’s new Pixel phones will ship with Android 7.1 Nougat pre-installed, but early reports stated that Nexus devices wouldn’t be getting the new version until “end of year” 2016. For people that purchased a Nexus 5X or 6P under the assumption that Nexus devices get Android updates first, the fact that the Pixels could be getting 7.1 a full two months ahead of them felt like a slap in the face.
Thankfully, those early reports were off by a couple of months. According to The Verge, Google will release a beta version of Android 7.1 for its Nexus devices “later this month,” which is a lot better than “later this year.” Yes, it’s only a beta version, not a public release, but it shows Google hasn’t given up on Nexus users just yet.
With a beta version going live in October, we should hopefully see the final build of 7.1 in early 2017, if not sooner. Beta builds will be available for the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, and Pixel C tablet, and the new version will include features like Daydream VR support, a Night Light blue-cancelling filter, and improved touch latency.
As expected, this version of Android 7.1 is lacking a few Pixel-exclusive features like Google Assistant and the fancy new navigation buttons. But if you’d like to get all of the rest of the cool new stuff in 7.1, all you need to do is enroll your Nexus in the Android Beta Program, then wait until the update hits later this month.
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