John V. Higginbotham 
Android 11 has finally been released, after many months of waiting and testing by users and software developers. Unlike previous years, when only Pixel phones received the update on the first day, Google today offers this update for the phones of several partners, who helped test the operating system. Thus, Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Realme and Oppo models receive the update to Android 11 in the final version starting today.
Which phones launch Android 11
The list of models that Android 11 launches today is quite small, but it will certainly grow very quickly. We currently have 10 compatible smartphone models, with a few more that will join in the next few weeks and months. Like last year, OnePlus is the first company to offer the final update:
Google Pixel 2
Google Pixel 2 XL
Google Pixel 3
Google Pixel 3 XL
Google Pixel 3A
Google Pixel 3A XL
Google Pixel 4
Google Pixel 4 XL
Google Pixel 4a
OnePlus 8
OnePlus 8 Pro
Theoretically, the update should be released on some models from Xiaomi, Realme and Oppo, but at the moment they have not been confirmed yet.
What brings new Android on smartphones
What’s new in the Android 11 interface is not major. Gesture navigation is still there, while the menus look largely the same. However, Google has added two new important elements.
First, new quick control options have appeared when you long press the power button. From here you have access to credit cards for contactless payments, but also quick access to the control of smart home devices registered in Google Home.
Also, in notifications, conversations can now be sorted better, with messages can be grouped by conversation, and some can be pasted at the top of notifications, on top of others. Of course, there is now the possibility to turn any chat application, whether we are talking about SMS messages, or WhatsApp and others into bubbles that can float above other applications, as Facebook Messenger does. Of course, updates from developers will be required in order to use this feature.
Last but not least, Android permissions are now much better organized, and for less frequently used applications, certain permissions are disabled in order not to have access to long-term user data.
We can expect updates to Android 11 for most of the top phones launched in the last 2-3 years on the market. However, many companies already offer such features in their interfaces, while others may choose not to integrate all the new features offered by Google. It remains to be seen for each company what is considered important or less important in Android 11.
