[Updated] Essential Phone gets Bluetooth 5.0 and MQA support, Oreo (on Telus)

Update (April 07):

Essential Phone starts receiving a new Android 8.1 build. Here’s an official word from the company’s Twitter account:

We're rolling out a new Oreo 8.1 build (141) that includes April security patches, Bluetooth 5.0 certified, modem stability fixes, and more. pic.twitter.com/KMoSmjIR47

— Essential (@essential) April 6, 2018

Added benefit: New Developer option – Essential notch settings

The update has brought along a new option that lets you customize the use of the notch area (screenshots below).

Netflix and the notch after April update from essential

Original story:

Tada! Good news for Essential Phone users. Not one, but we have three of them.

Telus units get Oreo

The Canadian network provider Telus is reportedly rolling out Android Oreo on the Essential Phone (PH-1). The confirmation came from a redditor who received the update later last week on their Essential unit, and was furthermore confirmed by others as well.

Telus people: Oreo is out. from essential

Essential Phone is now MQA compatible

As some of you may already know, Master Quality Authenticated (MQA) is an audio technology for high-resolution audio streaming. The following video details what MQA does:

Going by reports, the functionality has been recently added to the Essential Phone (as can be seen in the following user-shared screenshot).

While there’s no official word on this from the company yet, at least users with aptX-compatible headphones have confirmed its arrival on Essential PH-1.

Essential Phone quietly gets Tidal MQA Streaming Capability? from essential

Bluetooth 5.0 certification

Another positive news revealed by Essential’s official Twitter account is that the phone has received Bluetooth 5.0 certification, meaning the device now features improved Bluetooth connectivity. This enhancement is available as part of Essential’s Android 8.1 build.

Just heard that Bluetooth 5.0 certification is complete. It's already in the 8.1 build so if you have any 5.0-ready devices give it a try. 🙂

— Essential (@essential) March 30, 2018

How are the newly added features and the Oreo update treating you? Do let us know in the comments section below.

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