On June 10th, Google released the first Android 11 beta build to the public (not everyone, though). This was in keeping up with its own set Android 11 roadmap.
That roadmap, which captured what was to happen since Android 11’s announcement almost 4 months ago, detailed the three developer previews, which we have seen released (including a surprise fourth developer preview last month) as well as a further three beta builds, the first of which is now released.
Owing to the ongoing pandemic, the launch of the first beta of Android 11 was moved from a public event scheduled for June 3rd to a virtual launch.
Android 11 beta 1 brings with it several new features that we’ll be diving into detail about when the testing phase is over (my personal favourite so far is the addition of a “recycle bin” for deleted photos and videos so that you have a second chance with them should the deletion have happened in error or you just changed your mind, something that Samsung devices have had for years), assuming they manage to survive Google’s ruthless embrace and drop approach.
However, if you have any of the devices listed below, in addition to Google’s own Pixel smartphones, you can just go ahead and test-drive it by yourself when the beta becomes available since the device makers have already confirmed it’s on the way:
- Oppo – Find X2 and Find X2 Pro
- Xiaomi – Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro as well as Poco F2 Pro from its sub-brand, Poco
- OnePlus – 8 and 8 Pro (already live/available for download)
Unlike last year when Google released a complete list of devices that would be joining the new version of Android’s beta programme, we haven’t had any such luck so far this year and we’ve been left at the mercy of individual device makers who are still revealing their participation in the programme in bits. So, there’s the odd chance that some more device makers (we are looking at you, HMD Global) will be announcing some good news soon. Fingers crossed.
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