Few days ago, Xiaomi had released China Developer ROM based on Android Oreo for devices like Mi 5, Mi MIX and Mi Note 2. Today, the company has officially confirmed through its MIUI forum site that the it is now recruiting new fans for these handsets outside of China to test the Android Oreo Global ROM’s beta version.

Xiaomi is now in the process of making the MIUI 9.5 version available to as many as 30 smartphones. However, the update only brings the latest MIUI version, and it does not contain newer version of Android OS.

The Chinese manufacturer is also gradually rolling out the latest Android Oreo update to eligible devices. Xiaomi has already released Android 8.0 Oreo update to devices like Mi A1, Mi MIX 2, Mi 6, Redmi Note 5 Pro but there are a handful of eligible devices such as Mi Note 3, Redmi 5, Redmi Note 5, Redmi 5A, Redmi 5A Prime, Redmi Note 5A, Redmi Note 5A Prime Mi Max 2, Mi Note 2, Mi MIX, Mi 5s, Mi 5s Plus, Mi 5, Mi 5X, Mi 5C and Mi Pad 3 that are yet to receive the Android 8.0 Oreo update.

As mentioned above, it appears that the global ROM based on Android Oreo could be available soon for Mi 5, Mi MIX and Mi Note 2. These handsets are likely to receive the Oreo update within Q2 this year whereas most of the remaining handsets may get it Q3.

Users of Mi 5, Mi MIX and Mi Note 2 who wish to test the beta version of Android Oreo can visit the source link to know how to enroll as a beta tester. One should be aware of the fact that the deadline to become a test tester for these phones is April 11 until 11:59 PM (Beijing time).

Read More:Xiaomi Mi Max 2 Gets Android 8.1 Oreo Thanks To LineageOS 15.1 (Unofficial)

The Xiaomi Mi 6 had received Android Oreo beta version in January this year and the stable global ROM was made available for it by February end. Hence, it is likely that the Mi 5, Mi MIX and Mi Note 2 users may get the global stable Android Oreo ROM by the coming month.

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Recently, we reported that ZTE Axon 7 will be getting the Android Oreo update. While the company didn’t provide any timeline for the update, it was reported that the update will be available as soon as April this year.

Now, according to the new reports, the ZTE Axon 7 has now started receiving the Android Oreo Beta update in the United States. The first beta build has already been rolled out to the users who have been a part of the company’s beta program.

According to a picture posted on the ZTE forums by a community manager, the latest beta build looks very much similar to the stock Android rather than a heavily skinned version of the operating system. ZTE is reportedly calling its new UI skin as “Stock+UI”, suggesting that it will be a stock version of Android with some added features.

Currently, we don’t have access to the full changelog for this new update. But, it seems that the update comes with the latest January security patch. While there is still no information when the final build will be released, it is assuring to see ZTE is working hard to keep its promise.

The Android 8.0 Oreo comes with several new features such as Picture-in-Picture, smart text selection,  notification dots, Project Treble, and more. Going by the reported April timeline for the update, by the time the Android Oreo update starts hitting the Axon 7, the phone will be almost two years old, surpassing the two years time limit for rolling out major updates.

The ZTE Axon 7 features a 5.5-inch display with 2K resolution, 2.5D curved glass and a layer of Gorilla Glass 4 protection on top. The phone is fuelled by a 3,250mAh battery, which also supports Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 3.0 technology.

Read More: ZTE Reveals The Axon M Will Launch in China On Jan. 20 & Would Hit Europe Soon

Under the hood, the device is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor, coupled with 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. It comes with a 20MP f/1.8 aperture camera with OIS and EIS on the rear side, while up front, there is an 8MP f/2.2 88-degree wide angle shooter.

(Source)

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A few days ago, Xiaomi announced the Android Oreo beta program for the Mi MIX 2. Although interested participants have until December 24 to sign up for the program, it appears some folks are already running the beta version.

A screenshot showing a Mi MIX 2 running Android 8.0 Oreo surfaced online today, revealing that the beta update comes with MIUI 9 version 7.12.18. The security patch level is also that of November. Visually, it is said that it doesn’t look different from Android Nougat.

Xiaomi’s second flagship, the Mi 6 has already received a beta version of Android Oreo and while there are no visual changes too, it is reported that the multi-tasking menu has received a slight modification.

The features Android Oreo bring are mainly improvements which help increase battery life and speed by limiting background activity. Android Oreo also comes with features like picture-in-picture mode, Autofill, and a bunch of new emojis.

READ MORE: Xiaomi Redmi 5 Plus Hands On: Full Screen For Cheap!

It is not yet known how soon the Mi MIX 2 will receive a stable version of Android Oreo but judging from Xiaomi’s past actions, it may not be available until the end of the first quarter or beginning of the second quarter next year.

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Xiaomi has been busy working on a stable version of the latest iteration of its custom version of Android, MIUI 9, so it didn’t pay much attention to Android 8.0 Oreo. Now that the roll-out has begun hitting devices, it can now focus its attention on Android 8.0 Oreo.

Report reaching us says Xiaomi has begun recruiting beta testers for Android 8.0 for its flagship device – the Mi 6. This is a closed beta and the selection may take a few weeks. Selected users will get to use the closed beta version for a month or so before it is then opened to more devices.  A developer version will then be released as a public beta.

The pattern is similar to last year’s when it wanted to begin rolling out Android Nougat. We expect more devices to join the closed beta program before the end of the year and a public beta will be made available in January. A final stable update will arrive much later, most likely after the Mi 7 and a bunch of other new devices have been announced.

READ MORE: Xiaomi Mi Note 3 Gets A Cheaper Variant With 4GB RAM

Android Oreo brings a bunch of new features such as picture-in-picture mode, Bluetooth battery level indicator, Autofill, Notification dots, and instant apps.

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As expected, Huawei has kick-started the Android 8.0 Oreo-based EMUI 6 beta program for owners of the flagship Mate 9. This is coming barely a week after some screenshots of the Mate 9 running on Android Oreo-based EMUI 6 was leaked on XDA Developers. The beta program is only open for users of the Mate 9 and the spaces are very limited – just 250 users needed. If you are interested, you’ll have to download the Beta Friendly User Test app from Huawei’s website, register and then hope you’ll be one of the lucky few that’ll be selected.

The leaked screenshots afforded us the opportunity to have an idea of the features EMUI 6 would pack such as Picture-in-Picture mode. Basically, EMUI 6 will come with features of Android Oreo, most of which we already know since Google announced its latest OS version. It will also look a lot like the current EMUI 5. The new features that would likely be on the EMUI 6 include a screen resolution option in display settings which will let users switch between HD and Full HD resolution mode (720p & 1080p). Also, EMUI 6 looks to be bringing the option of hiding the navigation bar by including a new button which you can place on the navigation bar. That button will add a small arrow to the left side of the navigation bar and with a swipe from the bottom, you get to hide or show the nav bar.

Also Read: Huawei Mate 9 With Android 8.0 Oreo Seen On Geekbench

Huawei did indicate that the beta program will end on November 3, which could point to the launch of the Android Oreo-based EMI 6 for the Mate 9 before the end of the year. Of course, we do expect the Mate 10 to launch with EMUI 6 based on Android Oreo.

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