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Moto G5S Plus to skip Android 8.0 in favor of Android 8.1, coming next month? (Updated)
June 14, 2025
Update (3:47 p.m. CT):It looks like Motorola has taken down theAndroid 8.1 Oreo release notesfor the Moto G5S Plus update. We’re assuming the update will still arrive in June, though we can’t be certain for now. We will update this story as we learn more.
Original article (2:09 a.m. CT):Lenovo has revealed that the Moto G5S Plus will be updated to Android 8.1, skipping the 8.0 update in the process. The Chinese brand delivered news of the update via itssupport portal(thanks toAndroid Authorityreader David for spotting this), adding that the update also includes the June 2018 security update.
Don’t hold your breath for a rollout in the next couple of days, though, as the security update needs to include Android patches up until June 1. It’s reasonable to expect the update will also launchsometimein June.
The move is noteworthy because the newly revealedMoto G6phones are launching with Android 8.0, giving the older phone a newer version of Android. Here’s hoping the newer phones skip Android 8.1 and getAndroid P, especially since Lenovo is reportedly only promisingone “major” updatefor the new handsets.
A welcome surprise for a great phone
Android 8.1 brings several new features to the table, including better data-saving and endurance-related features, battery level indicators for your Bluetooth devices, and more emoji characters.
The update stands to make a quality phone even better. In ourMoto G5S Plus review, David Imel called it a “fantastic alternative” to flagship phones. He praised the UI, Moto Actions and battery life, but criticized the cameras and lack of USB Type C.
“The Moto G5S Plus might not be the most premium device in the world, but it is a pretty damn good phone. For the price, it’s hard to ask for much more,” our reviewer concluded.
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