Right from launching decently specced smartphones to rolling out faster software updates, HMD Global has done everything right in its first year. Last month, the Nokia 8 became one of the few smartphones to receive Android Oreo update. And as promised, HMD has added its first Android smartphone, the Nokia 6 to the Nokia Mobile Beta Labs program today, meaning, Nokia 6 users can now get their hands on the Android 8.0 Oreo.
Announced back in November 2017, the Nokia Mobile Beta Labs is a program from HMD Global where it will be testing out the upcoming software releases with users. And the Nokia 6 now joins this list. Recently, HMD added Nokia 5 to the program, allowing the mid-range smartphone users to experience Android Oreo.
That said, HMD promised the Oreo update roll out to the Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 by the end of 2017, but it now looks like the update will be pushed to early 2018. Xiaomi is also testing the Android Oreo in M1 A1, which is also expected to roll out by the end of this year. So, the Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 will be amongst the few budget devices to receive the latest iteration of Android.
The Nokia 8, HMD's first flagship smartphone for 2017 is already running Android 8.0 Oreo, and it even received December 2017 security patch update yesterday.
One of the primary reasons for HMD rolling out software updates this quick is stock Android. All the Nokia smartphones released in 2017 are running stock Android, including the entry-level Nokia 2. Next up in HMD's list would be the Nokia 3, which might join Nokia Mobile Beta Labs program in early 2018, followed by the Nokia 2. HMD Global already confirmed that it would update the Nokia 2 to Andriod 8.0 Oreo in early 2018.
Talking about the Nokia 6 Android 8.0 Oreo beta program, if you are an owner of Nokia 6, you need to head over to https://www.nokia.com/en_int/phones/betalabs page and enrol your Nokia 6 to receive the beta software update. Also, HMD allows you to roll back to Android 7.1.2 Nougat if you're not interested in testing the software anymore.
