Android 8.0 O Build Test Version is Running on Huawei Mate 9, Android O Features

Huawei has started testing the latest Android 8.0 O build for its Mate 9. If a recent report is to be believed than Huawei might be the first non-Google OEM to start testing the latest of Android for its devices. The testing is in the early development stage right now, but some unique O features like picture in the picture are already working on the Mate 9.

A ROM was unearthed by an XDA senior member, who has provided the first sight of what is going to come in the Android 8.0 O. The EMUI version is 5.1, a tenth higher than the last update, but the Huawei P10 is already on v5.1 so this is probably not the final version of Huawei's custom skin.

According to India Today, leaked picture reveals that the latest Android 8.0 O comes with a build number - MHA-AL00C00B007-log on Huawei Mate 9. The leak further hints that the Android 8.0 O build will probably be called as EMUI 5.1 and will only support two languages - English and Mandarin.

The ROM is reportedly not suitable for a daily driver as it's for the Chinese version, which comes pre-rooted with SELinux and set to permissive and (worst of all) there are several issues. Still, sideloading the Play Store worked with the Android 8.0 O testing, even at this early stage, as per GSM Arena.

However, Huawei didn't verify the coming of Android O officially. In addition, the first version of Android 8.0 O developer preview also introduces something called - Adaptive Icons that basically makes the icon of any third party app to look like the stock Pixel launcher apps. Aside from this, the new Android 8.0 O also brings a lot more changes baked into the OS which will hopefully bring some significant performance improvements in future.

According to Android Authority, if this is information is proven to be accurate then Huawei would be in a position to deliver the update relatively quickly after the final version of Android O rolls out.  However, there's no official roadmap to the Android 8.0 O update for the Huawei Mate 9.

Google first needs to finish tinkering with it before smartphone makers seriously start thinking about an Android 8.0 O update. Right now we don't even know what O stands for.