Motorola Clears These Phones For Android 11 OS Updates, But There's A Big Catch
However, in recent years, Motorola has abandoned its previously envious update strategy and has left many users of recent smartphones out of the loop with new Android OS updates. This week, Motorola gave the appearance that it is attempting to reform its ways, and at first glance, it seems like a step in the right direction. However, after reading through the company's commentary more carefully, it appears to be more smoke and mirrors.
First, let's look at what devices Motorola is committing to update to Android 11:
- motorola razr 5G
- motorola razr 2019
- motorola edge
- motorola edge+
- motorola one 5G
- motorola one action¹
- motorola one fusion
- motorola one fusion+
- motorola one hyper
- motorola one vision
- moto g 5G
- moto g 5G plus
- moto g fast
- moto g power
- moto g pro
- moto g stylus
- moto g9
- moto g9 play
- moto g9 plus
- moto g9 power
- moto g8
- moto g8 power
- Lenovo K12 Note
While that is a relatively lengthy list of smartphones, context is key here. Out of that entire list of devices, there isn't a single smartphone that was released in 2018 or earlier. And even some devices that were released in 2019 -- like the Moto G7 -- are completely left out of the mix. Compared to the competition, Motorola is not exactly being consumer-friendly here. For example, both Samsung and Google have committed to three years of OS and software updates for their smartphones. In Google's case, the Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL, which was released back in October 2017, just received its final update earlier this month.
In addition, Motorola throws in plenty of "gotchas" for those devices that will get the Android 11 update. For starters, Android 11 was officially released on September 8th, 2020, and Motorola is still behind the curve in getting the update to customers. Secondly, Motorola says that the Android 11 updates will start "in the coming months", which is a rather vague timeline that doesn't really tell us much. For all we know, Android 11 might not arrive for these devices until Spring (or later). This would be somewhat comical timing given that if we go by Google's rollout from last year, we could see the first Android 12 Developer Preview in mid-February. Finally, Motorola says that the Android 11 updates will only rollout "pending partner support."
So, there you have it, Android 11 is coming to nearly two dozen Motorola smartphones, but don't be surprised if you must wait another three or four months to get it. And even then, you might not get it all if your carrier is putting up roadblocks.
