Essential Phone is the only non-Google handset updated to Android 9 Pie today

Google today released Android 9 Pie, the very latest version of the world's most popular smartphone OS. While Google said that only its Pixel devices can be updated to Android 9 Pie immediately, there's actually one more handset that's receiving the update starting today - the Essential Phone (originally launched back in August 2017 with Android 7 Nougat on board).

Essential has officially confirmed that it's already rolling out the Android 9 Pie update, so owners of its handset - the company's only mobile phone to date - should check to see if they've got any notifications regarding this.

Some of the novelties that Android 9 Pie brings include a "simpler and more approachable" user interface, Adaptive Battery, improved notifications system, enhanced privacy, and native support for notches.

Google says that, by the end of the fall, select devices from Sony, HMD Global (Nokia), OnePlus, Oppo and Vivo should also be updated to Android 9 Pie. Other smartphone makers - including Samsung, LG, and so on - are expected to upgrade some of their devices by the end of the year. Until then, we just have to congratulate Essential for being so quick with the new Android update.

source: Essential