Android 9 Pie is rolling out to the Nokia 2.1 budget smartphone

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Until a few years ago, having the latest version of Android was an honor that only a few smartphones could wield. The situation has been changing due to brands which want to allow users to experience not just the latest hardware but also the latest software. HMD Global is one such brand, which has been bringing the latest updates to not just Nokia’s flagships and mid-range devices but also to entry-level ones such as the Nokia 2.1.

After the Nokia 5 (2017) and Nokia 6 (2017), it is time for the Nokia 2.1 to get a taste of Android 9 Pie. With this update, HMD Global has lived up to the promise of updating the Nokia 2.1 within the first quarter of 2019. This is exciting since the $115 smartphone is getting stable Android 9 Pie before other, much more expensive offerings from other brands.

Get it while it's hot! Our latest Android 9 Pie update is rolling out now. Nokia 2.1 just keeps getting better. #Nokiamobile pic.twitter.com/SN9uEsqPGZ — Juho Sarvikas (@sarvikas) February 21, 2019

To refresh your memory, the Nokia 2.1 is powered by Snapdragon 425 and only 1GB of RAM. It has 5.5-inch HD display and comes with an 8MP camera on the back and the 5MP camera on the front. Further, it packs in a dependable 4,000mAh battery.

The smartphone was launched with Android 8.1 Oreo (Go Edition) – the stripped down version of Android designed for smartphones with low processing power and limited storage – and will be upgraded to Android 9 Pie (Go Edition). With the Go Edition of Android 9 Pie, Nokia 2.1 will not receive some of the features from the full-fledged version of Android 9 Pie but it at least gets the latest security updates. We’ll dig into the changes and update you as we to know more.

Nokia 2.1 Forums

Meanwhile, as per Nokia’s roadmap for Android 9 Pie update, Nokia 3.1 is also expected to receive the Android 9 Pie update within this quarter while the same for Nokia 3 has been slated for the next quarter. Along with the Nokia 3, HMD will also push out the Android 9 Pie (Go Edition) update to Nokia 1 – its least powerful device – in the next quarter.