Ever since Google detailed Android P at its I/O 2018 developers’ conference earlier this month, we have received a lot of queries about the Samsung Galaxy Android 9.0 update release roadmap. As expected, Samsung hasn’t said anything right now about when we can expect the Android P update for Galaxy smartphones. It hasn’t even responded to calls for an explanation about why the Galaxy S9 hasn’t been included in the Android P public beta program. However, based on our experience of mapping Samsung updates, we can make a preliminary estimate.
The Samsung Galaxy Android 9.0 update release list below mentions all of the handsets that will most certainly receive this update in due course and those that won’t be upgraded to Android P. We say “certainly” based on our opinion and not on official statements from Samsung because there have been none so far with regard to the Android P update for Galaxy smartphones. The list below might change over the next few months if it’s updated based on any new information that comes in by that time.
Possible Samsung Galaxy Android 9.0 update release roadmapGalaxy S9: First in line for the Android P updateGalaxy S9+: Idem (as above)Galaxy S8: Second in lineGalaxy S8+: IdemGalaxy Note 8: IdemGalaxy A8 (2018): IdemGalaxy A6 (2018): First in line for the Android P updateGalaxy A6+ (2018): IdemGalaxy J6 (2018): Idem Galaxy Tab S3: Second in lineSamsung Galaxy handsets that won’t get Android PGalaxy S7: Already received two major Android updatesGalaxy S7 Edge: Idem (as above)Galaxy A5 (2017): IdemGalaxy A3 (2017): IdemGalaxy J7 (2017): Oreo will be the first major Android updateGalaxy J5 (2017): IdemGalaxy Xcover 4: Xcover devices don’t often get major Android updatesSamsung Galaxy Android 9.0 update release timeframe
As it stands in May 2018, it’s still early to speculate precisely when Samsung will release Android P for compatible devices. Some of its devices can run the beta version but Samsung’s handsets aren’t supported in Google’s Android P public beta program. Google will likely release Android P officially this fall and it’s only after that will we get a better idea of how soon Samsung might release Android P for its handsets.
Whether or not the support for Google’s Project Treble on the Galaxy S9 will make a difference remains to be seen. The project is meant to ensure the swift arrival of Android updates so many will be interested to see if that translates into a faster Android P rollout for the Galaxy S9 as well.
New Android P features
Android 9.0 or Android P as it’s referred to right now because Google is yet to confirm the official moniker, brings a few substantial innovations to the Android operating system. It brings a new gesture-based navigation system, leverages machine learning to reduce energy consumption and stricter privacy guidelines for apps. It will be interesting to see how the user interface changes particularly translate to Samsung’s Galaxy handsets when they’re fused with the company’s custom skin known as Samsung Experience.
That will only become clear once Samsung launches the Android P beta program for the Galaxy S9. If history is any indication, that’s probably going to happen towards the end of this year.
Explanation
The estimates that we have made above are in line with what has transpired over the past couple of years. Samsung has traditionally released two major Android updates for its Galaxy S, A and Note series. The Galaxy S9 will be first in line for Android P as it arrives with Android O (Oreo) and is now due to receive at least two major updates. The Galaxy Note 9 will be running Oreo as well but much like the Galaxy Note 8, it will receive Android P only after it has been released for the Galaxy S flagship.
The Galaxy S8 and Note 8 were launched with Android N (Nougat) and both have recently been updated to Android O. Android P will be their second major platform update and most likely the last. The Galaxy A8 is yet to be updated to Android O and that makes Android P its second major update.
Samsung has only released one Android platform update for devices in the J series – except for the Galaxy J3 (2016) which did not even get one. Devices like the Galaxy S7 that are already two generations old will get their final platform update to Oreo in the near future.
This might change if Samsung decides to shake up its update policy between now and next year. For example, if it makes a decision to release platform updates for popular handsets for at least three years after they’re launched. There’s no indication as yet of that happening but if it does, we’ll be the first ones to let you know.
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