Last month, Asus began recruiting testers for the Android 11 Beta program of ASUS ROG Phone 3. A month later, it has finally started rolling out the first Beta build to those Closed Beta testers.

As reported by XDADevelopers, an update with firmware version 18.0410.2101.80 is rolling out to the users of ROG Phone 3. Just like the report says, it’s a closed Beta so it’s currently available only for a small group of people who applied for the Beta program.

Anyway, the update is about 1.1GB in size and brings the Android 11 OS to the device. If you recall, the ROG Phone 3 launched in July 2020 with Android 10 OS out of the box. The UI on the device has ASUS’s ROG UI/ZenUI as an option.

Coming back, you can expect all the Android 11 features like chat bubbles, one-time permissions management, permission auto-reset, and more. That said, you can expect a lot of other changes that ASUS brings for its own UI to the table.

ASUS has been a bit off when it comes to updating its devices. Although it began registrations of the Android 11 Beta program for the ASUS Zenfone 6 way before the official Android 11 announcement, the company rolled out the stable update a bit late.

Add to this, ASUS also confirmed that the original ROG Phone won’t even get the 2019’s Android 10 OS. Either way, the Android 11 for ROG Phone 3 is its first major update so it’s a no-brainer that the device is getting the attention.

Speaking of which, currently, there is no info on when both the Open Beta and stable update rollout for this device will begin.

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Like every other OEM, ASUS also opened Android 11 Beta registrations for ZenFone 6 aka ASUS 6Z last month. Now, after weeks, the company has finally released first-ever build for the selected users. The update comes with build number 18.0610.2009.37 and weighs around 1.4GB in size.

ZenUI on ASUS smartphones is now closer to stock Android than ever before. However, the company still takes time to roll out updates. For instance, Xiaomi and OPPO have already released Android 11-based MIUI 12 and ColorOS 11 for multiple devices. On the other hand, the Taiwanese company has only rolled out its first Android 11 Beta build for a single device.

Anyway, the update is here (via XDA Developers) and it brings all the core features of Android 11 like Chat Bubble, Notification History, Bluetooth in Airplane mode to name a few. Further, it finally adds support for gesture navigation for third-party features. We are not sure why ASUS waited until Android 11 to add it.

Interestingly, rather than adding new features, Android 11 for ZenFone 6 removes some old functions and apps like Private Listening, ZenUI Help, Smart group, Icon alignment, Icon packs, and Avast scanning engine. The new update also integrates PowerMaster features into Battery settings.

That said, although ASUS has seeded out the initial Android 11 Beta build for ZenFone 6, it is yet to announce a proper timeline regarding the delivery of subsequent beta builds and stable release.

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ASUS is gearing up to launch the Zenfone 7 series next week. On the other hand, the Taiwanese company has opened registrations for Zenfone 6 (aka ASUS 6Z) Android 11 Beta. For those unaware, this phone launched with Android Pie and was updated to Android 10 late last year. The forthcoming update will be its second Android update.

The ASUS Zenfone 6 is known for offering stock Android like software experience apart from its signature flip camera. Both are expected to return for its successor, which is slated to launch first in the company’s home country om August 26.

Talking about the Android 11 beta program, users need to be on build number 17.1810.2008.171 to enrol. If you are a Zenone 6 user and want to try out Android 11 on your handset before anyone, make sure you are updated to the mentioned build and then, head over to “System update” in Settings. On this screen, tap on the gear icon present at the top right corner and finally, tap on “Enroll in the Beta Test Program”.

The recruitment is open till September 4 and selected users will be notified on September 9. The only requirement specified by ASUS is that your device bootloader shouldn’t have never unlocked. That means users who previously unlocked and relocked the bootloader may not get recruited for the program.

UP NEXT: Android 11 removes camera picker function in favor of the built-in camera app

(Via)

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Early this month, ASUS released the Android 10 stable update for the Zenfone 6/ASUS 6Z. Now its the turn of its 2018 flagship – the Zenfone 5Z (ZS620KL). The update has begun rolling out to both the Indian variant and global variant (WW) of the device.

The Zenfone 5Z gets new features of Android 10 such as an improved notification system, dark mode, smart replies, new emojis and more. The update also removes some ZenUI features that appear to be useless.

Changelog

• Upgraded system to Android 10
• Removed Google Play system update
• Removed Page Marker, ZeniMoki, Selfie Master, Beauty Live, Kids Mode, Easy Mode, weather animation setting, AI charging, WebStorage, Go2 Pay, Report Location in Safeguard, and Yandex cloud option in File Manager
• Removed the support of Twin app for “Arena of Valor, PUBG, Vainglory, and Injustice 2”
• Upgraded APN settings
• Add the APN setting of Canada Public Mobile
• Modify ASUS APN Setting
• Moved Themes and Mobile Manager to Advanced Settings

ASUS advises that you back up your data before the update. There is also an option to downgrade back to Android 9 but you will erase all your data. Also, do note that some third-party apps are not compatible with Android 10 yet.

The Zenfone 5Z was announced in February 2018 but didn’t go on sale until June. It has a 6.2-inch 1080 x 2246 display with a wide notch at the top. There is a Snapdragon 845 processor under the hood with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage. On the back of the phone are dual 12MP + 8MP cameras while an 8MP camera sits in front for selfies. The Zenfone 5Z also has a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, NFC, and an audio jack. It packs a 3300mAh battery with support for 18W fast charging.

When it launched, it ran Android 8 Oreo out of the box. It is safe to say this is its last major OS update.

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(Source, Via)

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