Android 11 was released in September 2020. In December 2020, more than half of the Android smartphones in Germany were still running Android 10. In August 2021, Android 11 took the lead. According to Statcounter, the share is around 40 percent in the first quarter of 2022 and is slightly declining, while Android 12 is growing. Nevertheless, Android 11 still plays the first fiddle. You can find out which devices will receive an update to Android 11 here.
Among other things, Google provides functions that already exist in the UIs (user interfaces) of smartphone manufacturers. A new version of One UI (Samsung) or MIUI (Xiaomi), for example, is sometimes more noticeable than a new Android version as a basis. The new Android version often comes in combination with a new manufacturer UI. The surfaces of the devices that offer little or no own UI (Android One) change more when jumping to Android 11.
As with Facebook Messenger, chat conversations remain active even when the actual app is just running in the background. Small round icons (“bubbles”) with the contact photo of the person you are talking to can then be moved on the home screen. In addition, the screen recorder is back, which already enabled the recording of the screen content in a version of Android 10. Media and smart home controls are simplified (see Android 11 Beta). In addition, mobile printing should become easier and there are a bunch of emojis again. In the Android 11 key features test, you can learn more about how the new features feel and how they can be used.
The situation is particularly complicated due to the ongoing US sanctions Huawei. For the new devices without Google apps, Android 11 can only serve as the basis in the open source version. Google apps only exist – if at all – via detours. It looks much better at the former Huawei subsidiary honor out. After the sale, Honor is free and no longer blacklisted. That’s why Honor 50 and Honor 50 Lite come with all Google apps. Google’s The Pixel series is once again at the forefront when it comes to the update distribution. The first pixel generation is empty after more than three years. For the models from the Pixel 4a, on the other hand, it will probably continue up to Android 14. Samsung’s Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21 Plus and Galaxy S21 Ultra models started with Android 11 and will also get Android 12, as will the A-class Galaxy A?2. Otherwise, Samsung usually offers two version updates and, more recently, four years of security updates. In general, devices that appeared with Android 9 can still hope for Android 11 from Samsung. That also applies to Nokia. OnePlus has recently recommended with quick updates. Typically there are two years of software updates and three years of security updates. Since the models appear almost every six months, all models since the OnePlus 7 can hope for Android 11. For the new budget N10 5G and N100 models, there may only be a version jump to Android 11 and only two years of security updates. at Motorola the Android One models that debuted with version 9 are candidates for Android 11. Sony has promised at least two years of updates for its luxury models and published an update schedule. xiaomi promises three version updates and four years of security updates for just a few selected models such as the 11T, 11T Pro, Xiaomi 12 and 12 Pro. There is no promise for other models such as the Xiaomi 12X. Below is the list of smartphones for which Android 11 was announced, available or (until the update to Android 12) was available:
