HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, has today announced that the Nokia 8.1 will now begin receiving the latest Android operating system, Android 10. With Android 10 upgrade arriving on the Nokia 8.1 Plus, users will have access to the latest features from Google. This software update is proof to HMDs promise that the Nokia Smartphones keep getting better with time.
The home of Nokia phones had announced its Android 10 rollout plan a few weeks ago where it was revealed that the Nokia 8.1, Nokia 7.1 and Nokia 9 PureView will get upgraded to Android 10 in Q4 2019. Thus making the Nokia 8.1 the first smartphone in its segment to get the Android 10 update.
Android 10 is Google’s newest operating system that has so far been released for Pixel phones, the Essential Phone and some OnePlus phones.
The software update brings a host of impressive new features to the Nokia 8.1 users, including Dark theme, Gesture Navigation, Live Captions and more. The Nokia 8.1 will officially be operating on a new level.
Nokia 8.1 users will receive Android 10 via an OTA update and the rollout is expected to take place in a phased manner. Meaning it should reach all Nokia 8.1 units over the next few days.
Nokia 8.1, an addition to HMD’s value flagship range was launched late last year globally but launched locally early this year. It came running on stock Android 9 Pie and is available in Blue/Silver and Iron/Steel color combinations. The smartphone retails for an estimated price of Ksh 45,000 making it the most affordable phone to run on Android 10 right now.
Nokia 8.1 is available in Dual-SIM, from the open retail channels and Single-SIM from Safaricom stores.
Key features of Android 10
Modes – Android 10 comes with two new innovative features to help you get things done faster and easier. When it is time to concentrate on a task, Focus mode is there to pause the apps that you find distracting. The Dark theme swaps the interface colours for darker tones making it easier on your eyes when using your phone in low lighting.
Smart Reply – On-device machine learning means that your phone gets better the more you use it. The Smart Reply feature predicts what you will type next and even suggests responses directly in notifications. Smart Reply now also suggests relevant actions, like using Google Maps to locate an address that you receive in a message.
Security and Privacy – You can manage all of your privacy settings from one place. Web & App Activity, Location History and Ad Settings are all in the Privacy menu, which now lives at the very top of your phone’s Settings. Control exactly when your location is shared with apps: always, once, while app is in use, or never. You also get a reminder when apps are accessing your location, helping you always stay in control of the data accessed on your phone.
Gesture Navigation – Android 10 takes the system navigation introduced with Android 9 Pie and makes it even more intuitive. With smarter, more convenient gestures, you can navigate backwards and forwards, pull up the home screen, and swipe up to see open apps. Everything on your phone becomes easier to navigate.
HMD Global has been terrific when it comes to delivering software updates. Not only did it update its entire portfolio of Nokia smartphones to Android 9 Pie, but it did so in the shortest amount of time.
Nokia smartphones are always getting better. With 2 years of software upgrades and 3 years of monthly security updates, HMD Global is committed to delivering on this promise means that HMD Global rank highest for software updates and security.
After the Nokia 8.1, the Nokia 7.1 and Nokia 9 PureView are expected to get the Android 10 update before the year ends.