[Update arrives: Download link] Realme 2 Pro Android Pie (ColorOS 6) beta update coming May 15, enrollment begins

This story is being continuously updated….new updates are being added at the bottom…..

Like other Asian Android OEMs, OPPO created their own skinned version of Android called ColorOS. Mimicking iOS is a common trend among these skins, and ColorOS is not an exception.

Besides OPPO, ColorOS is also being used by their offshoots. OnePlus debuted the Chinese variant of OnePlus One with Android 4.3 Jelly Bean based ColorOS 2. Meanwhile, Realme is using the fifth generation of ColorOS in their current lineup of phones.

ColorOS homescreen

The current flagship offering from the Chinese phone maker is Realme 3 Pro, which has already been marked as eligible for Android Q beta testing. The phone was initially shipped with Android 9.0 Pie based ColorOS 6.

Vanilla looking Android Q beta on Realme 3 Pro

However, the OEM doesn’t forget about the predecessor, i.e. the Realme 2 Pro. In fact, they have just kickstarted the public beta testing of the ColorOS 6 update for the Snapdragon 660 powered Pro variant of Realme 2 in India.

Realme India CEO Madhav Sheth has tweeted about this beta testing initiative. The tentative changelog of the upcoming Android 9.0 Pie based ColorOS 6 is as follows:

System

· Added notification icons in status bar

· Added lock screen magazine

· Added a new navigation gesture

· Added app drawer to ColorOS launcher

· Added Riding Mode

· Added Live Wallpaper

· Android Security Patch Level: May 5th, 2019

The arrival of an app drawer in ColorOS launcher may sound weird to stock (or close to stock) Android users, as this is a basic feature there.  Matter of fact, Color OS cut it off in favor of mimicking iOS. However, the company assured their fans to bring it as an optional choice in ColorOS 6.

The updated May security patch level will be another worthy inclusion. Realme skipped April 2019 patch for Realme 2 Pro but promised to provide cumulative update in May.

UI

· Updated UI of the notification panel

· Updated UI of AI Board

· Updated default theme

Realme 2 Pro

Camera

· Added Nightscape Mode

· Added Chroma Boost Mode

· Added HAL3 support (need to switch on in the developer options)

Besides a dedicated low light photography mode (‘Nightscape’), the OEM is also going to add Chroma Boost mode and implement proper Camera2/HAL3 support. FYI, Realme used 16 MP Sony IMX398 camera sensor in this phone as a rear camera module.

Applications

· Added realme Theme Store

· Added realme App Market (certain regions)

· Added realme Game Center (certain regions)

· Added realme Community App (certain regions)

Arrival of the theme store in Realme phones was already discussed by us in this article. The first Realme phone – Realme 1 – did feature a dedicated theme store, but the company exclude it in their subsequent models.

Theme Store on Realme 1

Realme is also planning to create an app-based ecosystem by launching separate app market and game store for certain regions. The tactics is similar to Xiaomi’s MIUI, where the app-driven revenue generation framework is proven successful.

Interested users need to enroll themselves for the beta testing by filling up this online form. The form will be accessible from 12 noon on May 14 (today), India local time. Selected users will receive the special beta build via OTA update on and from May 15 (tomorrow).

Sound recorder app in ColorOS 6

The slots for this public beta testing is limited, so users need to engage as soon as the form goes live. According to Realme Ambassador Alessio, the official OTA update will be rolled out after two or three weeks after this public beta testing.

Alessio further confirmed that the beta build will not wipe your data. Nonetheless, a manual backup is always suggested before major version upgrades.

Music player app in ColorOS 6

Are you excited to get the Android Pie update on your Realme 2 Pro? Do share your experiences with us by commenting below.

The update is now live. Here are some user shared images of the changelog:

Some of the early adopters mirrored the update package (RMX1801EX_11_OTA_0190_all_irJrdCviNCNy_6f384.ozip) for manual flashing. Grab it from the following links: Google Drive / MEGA

If you were expecting the beta update, but did not receive it, then you may be out of luck. As already mentioned in the story, the rollout was limited, and not everyone who enrolled was supposed to get the update.

Here’s what the company has been telling confused users:

Hey, the beta version of ColorOS 6 along with Android Pie was released to limited users on first come first serve basis, but don’t worry, the stable update will soon be released to all users. Keep an eye on our official community and social media platforms for more updates

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