Google has now made available the initial version of its latest mobile operating system, Android 11. For those keen on getting hold of the new version as soon as possible, here are the smartphones you can currently download Android 11 on.
Google has started releasing the next version of Android a little earlier each year and that’s also the case with Android 11, considering last year’s version debuted in March. However, this is not the actual launch of Android 11 as that will take place in the second-half of 2020. Instead, this is an opportunity to gain early access to the operating system for developers to work on app support and compatibility before the full release, as well as those just keen on trying out the new features before anyone else. Due to this, the current version of Android 11 is considered a pre-release version.
As Google points out in its Android 11 developer announcement, this early version of the mobile operating system is “not intended for daily or consumer use.” In other words, compatible smartphone owners should really only install this version on their phone if they are willing to accept what will likely be a buggy experience. This may also include a lack of general support (and even functionality) for many popular third-party Android apps. Those concerned about the performance and features are better off waiting for a more stable beta version, or the full public release.
Here’s the full list of Android 11 supported smartphones:
- Google Pixel 4
- Google Pixel 4XL
- Google Pixel 3a
- Google Pixel 3a XL
- Google Pixel Pixel 3
- Google Pixel 3 XL
- Google Pixel Pixel 2
- Google Pixel 2 XL
The Android 11 Compatibility List Is Not Final
The original Google Pixel and Pixel XL are not included in the above list as the 2016 Android phones have now lost their guaranteed update support for new versions of Android. Each Android phone-maker only guarantees its customers a set number of years for major upgrades and in Google’s case, that’s three years. As a result, Android 11 will likely be the last guaranteed major update from Google for the 2017 Pixel 2 and 2 XL. Owners of non-Google phones will need to check their specific phone manufacturer’s terms to see if they are likely to receive Android 11 at all.
As this is a developer preview, Google has opted to limit the device support to its own devices. However, prior to the full release of each Android version, Google rolls out various beta versions with improvements and fixes based on the results of the previous one. As newer releases come through, more phones are typically added to the compatibility list, further opening up the newer version to more users sooner. For example, during the rollout of the Android 10 (Android Q as it was known at the time) pre-release version last year, the brands eligible for Google’s beta program, included Essential, Huawei, OnePlus, Sony, and Xiaomi, among others.
