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Android 9.0 Pie is rolling out right now to the Essential Phone
June 04, 2025
Update #2:Okay, we weren’t crazy. Essential notedon Twitterthat the Essential Phone’s Android Pie updatedoesinclude the August 2018 security patch, but the company just forgot to update the security patch string. It will be corrected in the next release.
Update #1:A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the Android Pie update included the August 2018 security patch. That is not the case — the Essential Phone is still running the July 2018 patch. We regret the error and have update the post.
When Google releases new versions of Android, the conversation quickly switches over to fragmentation and how smartphone owners will likely not see the update for weeks, months, or even a year. But withAndroid 9.0 Pie, Essential has proven that this doesn’t necessarily need to be the case as the company is already rolling out the firmware update to theEssential Phone.
Throughout the entireAndroid P Beta Program, Essential has done a great job at rolling out updates within hours of Google releasing them. While other smartphone manufacturers in the program typically got updates out within several days, Essential was always on top of things.
OnceAndroid Pie is installedon the Essential Phone, users will notice several changes. These include anadaptive batteryfeature, a newgesture-based navigationoption, a newMaterial themein the quick settings and settings menu, and much more.
Unfortunately, Essential has had severalfinancial setbacksas of late, and the future of the company is unclear. While Essential has stopped working on a second smartphone, it’s clear that the company is keeping its focus on making its current customers happy.
If you have anEssential Phone, head into the Settings menu and search for an update. The company didn’t release any timetable, but users should start seeing the option to update to Android Pie sometime today.
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