One week ago, exactly, Google unveiled its next big thing for Android OS in the form of the Android 11 stable update. That date is much more relevant for Pixel owners than for those users running a custom skin. However, the date is also important since Google uploads the full AOSP source code allowing companies and even third-party developers to finish their work on the next Android version. Shortly after the Android 11 rollout, some smartphone makers started to unveil their plans for their Android 11-based skins. Now, all of sudden, Asus decided to roll to its Android 11 beta for the last year’s Asus ZenFone 6.
Asus made its name in the past with a heavily bloated Zen UI software, but with the ZenFone 6 series, the company changed its strategy with the use of a vanilla-like Android. It’s not Android One, just stock Android with minimal additions that are very specific for the flagship. Thanks to this new strategy, the company may be able to bring a full-fledged update just a couple of months after the rollout of Android 11. The first beta is the first step given to bring the next Android flavor for the 2019’s flipping camera smartphone.
Gizchina News of the week
The new firmware build is available with an 18.0610.2009.37 version number. Interestingly enough, it makes a considerable jump over the 17.xxx Android 10-based firmware. All of the new features and visual enhancements introduced with the Android 11 release are present here like the revamped permissions controls and the new power menu. Asus also took the opportunity to make some adjustments on its ZenUI skin. Worth noting that some features found in the company’s stock launcher are absent in the new Android version. However, the company enabled gesture navigation in third-party launchers, this has been requested by users before. You can check the detailed changelog for this update below:
Asus ZenFone 6 Android 11 beta (18.0610.2009.37 firmware) changelog:
- System Upgraded to Android 11
- Removed Private Listening and ZenUI Help
- Integrated PowerMaster features into Battery Settings
- Removed Avast Scanning Engine
- Removed Smart Group Icon and Icon Packs functions on the stock launcher
- New ZenUI design
- You now can keep Bluetooth Connections when Airplane mode is active
- New Notification History and Bubbles Settings
- Third-Party launchers now support Navigation Gestures
The company also states that some 3rd-party apps will not be compatible with the new firmware. However, this is related to a lack of proper support for the recently released Android 11. Obviously, 3rd party developers will be updating their applications in the coming months for support for the new software.
If you want to enroll your smartphone in the beta program, you’ll need to download the full update ZIP package. It weighs in at 1.4GB. We hope Asus adds a friendly OTA option in the coming days.
