Android 7.1.1 Nougat Update for Samsung Galaxy S7, S6: Release Dates, Features, and More

By Precious Gem de Peralta
Samsung Galaxy S6
Samsung may be skipping the Android 7.0 Nougat update and will instead directly roll out the latest 7.1.1 Nougat update to its flagship devices that include the Galaxy S7 series and Galaxy S6 series. Karlis Dambrans via Flickr

Though there are more than a billion smartphones running on Android, only 0.4 percent of them have adopted to the current version of the mobile OS, Android Nougat. The latest Nougat 7.1.1 update is even more limited to Google devices and yet to roll out to more smartphones. Now, a post in a forum claims that Samsung might be releasing an update of the latest version to its flagship devices while skipping on the previously reported Android 7.0 update.

A member of the XDA developers forum has shared a screenshot of a confirmation from Samsung that the smartphone maker will “support Android 7.1.1 from the official Nougat OS release”. The said update might be happening within the next few weeks. The latest build of Android Nougat is currently only available to Google’s own devices Pixel, Pixel XL and Nexus 6P. If this report is true, Samsung will be the first to receive the 7.1.1 version outside of Google, according to Express.co.uk.

It also means that the tech giant may be skipping the Android Nougat 7.0 update to its flagship phones Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. This is despite the fact that it is already being tested under its beta program for the past weeks. Other than Samsung’s S7 series, the Note 5, Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge might also receive the same update.

Express.co.uk further reported that though the company has not confirmed the recent news, Samsung has already mentioned previously that the Android Nougat will become available to its devices early next year.
The Android 7.1.1 Nougat has a range of new features that include additional emojis, Google’s new GIF keyboard and launcher shortcuts that enables 3D-Touch-esque features to the homescreen.

There is also a Google Daydream View VR headset support. This means that Samsung smartphones will already be compatible to be used with Google’s own VR headset. Daydream View owners currently have only few options that include Moto Z and Moto Z Force. The restart button will also be integrated in the power menu.

As mentioned above, since the release of the initial Android 7.0 Nougat, there are only 0.4 percent of Android devices currently running on the said version. It’s a 0.1 percent increase from last month’s data, according to the Venture Beat. Google also reported that the Android 5.0/5.1 Lollipop is still the most widely used Android version with 34 percent of adoption. It is followed by the Android 6.0 Marshmallow with 26.3 percent. The Android KitKat 4.4 is not far behind with 24 percent. On the other hand, 63 percent of Apple’s iOS devices are already running on the latest iOS 10.

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