By Mitu Rani Das, Tech Enthusiast | February 14, 2026
I recently explored the latest Android 8.0 update features in 2026 on my Android Phone, and I thought it would be great to share my experience and insights. If you’re living in Bangladesh and wondering what’s new in this update, stick with me. I’m going to break it down so it’s easy to understand. From user experience improvements to security upgrades and developer-friendly APIs, Android 8.0 has a lot packed in.
What’s New in Android 8.0 Update Features
When I first installed Android 8.0, I immediately noticed several small but powerful changes that improve daily smartphone usage. Google has focused on making the system faster, smarter, and more secure. Here is a summary of the biggest improvements:
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Picture-in-Picture (PIP) mode
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Redesigned notifications
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Autofill framework for faster logins
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Downloadable fonts and Fonts in XML
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Adaptive icons and improved color management
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Improved media playback and audio enhancements
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Wi-Fi Aware and Bluetooth 5.0 support
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Smart sharing and text classification
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Enterprise-level security and account management
Let me dive deeper into each of these features so you can understand why they matter.
Picture-in-Picture Mode: Multitasking Made Easy
One of the first things I tested in Android 8.0 update's features 2026 was Picture-in-Picture (PIP) mode. Now, you can watch videos in a small window while browsing other apps, which is super handy for multitasking. Before Android 8.0, PIP was limited to Android TV. Now it is available on mobile devices too.
Here is how it works:
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An activity (like a video player) enters PIP mode while remaining visible in a small corner of your screen.
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The app goes into a paused state but keeps showing content. Pro tip: developers need to pause the video in onStop() instead of onPause().
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Users can tap the PIP window to interact with the menu, but regular touch events will not affect the video directly.
Developers can use the PictureInPictureParams object to control the aspect ratio and other properties, making this feature highly flexible.
Notifications: Smarter and More Interactive
Android 8.0 has a completely redesigned notifications. I was amazed by how much smoother it feels compared to older versions. Key changes include:
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Notification channels: Apps can now categorize notifications, allowing users to customize alerts based on their preferences.
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Notification dots: You will see small dots on app icons when there is an unread notification. This makes it easy to keep track of pending messages.
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Snoozing notifications: You can temporarily dismiss a notification and have it reappear later.
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Timeouts and background colors: Developers can set how long notifications stay and even colorize them for critical alerts, like navigation or calls.
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Messaging style improvements: Messaging notifications now display more content in a collapsed form, plus historic messages for context.
For anyone in Bangladesh juggling multiple apps, these enhancements make notifications far more manageable.
Autofill Framework: Speed Up Logins
Filling in passwords, creating accounts, or entering credit card info can be a headache. Android 8.0 introduces the Autofill Framework, which remembers this information once you opt in.
This is a lifesaver for apps that require repeated logins. As someone who uses multiple banking and shopping apps, this feature drastically reduced the time I spend typing. Developers can also optimize their apps to work seamlessly with Autofill, which means fewer errors and a smoother user experience.
Downloadable Fonts and Fonts in XML
Another subtle but exciting feature in the Android 8.0 update is downloadable fonts. Instead of bundling fonts in every app, which increases app size, apps can request fonts dynamically. This reduces APK size and improves installation success rates.
Additionally, Fonts in XML make font management easier. Fonts are now treated as system resources, making it simpler for developers to access and style text across different devices.
Auto-sizing TextView: Dynamic Text Made Simple
Android 8.0 introduces autosizing TextView, which automatically adjusts text size based on the available space. For me, this was especially useful when switching between phones with different screen sizes, like the Google Pixel 2 and the Samsung Galaxy S8. Messages, captions, and app text now scale perfectly without manual adjustments, making the transition between devices seamless.
Adaptive Icons and Color Management
If you are a fan of clean and consistent UI, you will love adaptive icons. Apps can now display different shapes across devices while maintaining visual consistency.
Plus, Android 8.0 supports wide-gamut color displays. This is huge for photographers, video editors, or anyone who loves vibrant media on their phones. Apps can now render images with AdobeRGB, DCI-P3, and other color profiles, making media look stunning.
WebView, Shortcuts, and Multi-Display Support
For power users and developers, Android 8.0 also brings improvements like:
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WebView APIs: Better security and performance for embedded web content, including Safe Browsing API support.
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Pinning shortcuts and widgets: You can pin your favorite app functions to the home screen, saving time.
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Multi-display support: If you use external displays or a Chromebook, you can now move apps between screens seamlessly.
I tried it with a presentation app, and moving slides between the phone screen and a projector worked flawlessly.
Pointer Capture and Keyboard Navigation
For gamers and productivity apps, Android 8.0 introduces pointer capture, which allows apps to take complete control over mouse input. The pointer even hides while the app is in capture mode. This is perfect for games or remote desktop apps.
Additionally, keyboard navigation clusters make it easier to navigate complex UI hierarchies. I found this feature super handy when using apps with multiple panels or content areas, especially on Chromebooks.
Accessibility Improvements
Android 8.0 adds several accessibility features that make devices more inclusive:
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Volume control for accessibility
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Fingerprint gestures
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Multilingual text-to-speech
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Accessibility shortcuts for quick access
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Programmatic gesture sequences
These features improve app usability for people with disabilities, which is essential in a country like Bangladesh, where accessibility is becoming a priority.
Security and Privacy Upgrades
Android 8.0 has strengthened security across the platform:
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New permissions like ANSWER_PHONE_CALLS and READ_PHONE_NUMBERS
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Improved account access APIs with visibility controls
- Enterprise features for device management, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and backup
- Job Scheduler improvements for safe background tasks
As someone who cares about data privacy, these changes give me peace of mind. Apps now have clear rules for accessing accounts and running background processes, which reduces the risk of misuse.
Media Enhancements: Audio and Video
For music and video lovers, Android 8.0 is a game-changer:
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Volume Shaper: Automate volume transitions like fade-ins and fade-outs.
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Audio Focus Request: Better control over how apps handle shared audio.
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Media metrics: Apps can now track playback performance in detail.
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MediaPlayer: Support for DRM-protected content and HLS sample-level encryption.
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MediaRecorder and MediaMuxer: Record multiple audio/video streams and metadata tracks.
If you are into content creation, these features give you more flexibility without needing extra tools.
Connectivity: Wi-Fi Aware and Bluetooth 5.0
Android 8.0 introduces Wi-Fi Aware, allowing devices to discover and communicate over Wi-Fi without an internet access point. Imagine sharing files directly with nearby devices without needing Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Bluetooth also gets major upgrades:
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Support for AVRCP 1.4 (song browsing)
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Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) 5.0
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Sony LDAC codec integration
This makes streaming music and connecting accessories smoother than ever.
Smart Sharing and Text Classification
Sharing content is now smarter. Android 8.0 learns your sharing habits:
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Receipts automatically suggest finance apps
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Selfies suggest social media apps
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Smart sharing works for photos, audio, video, URLs, and text
Plus, TextClassifier recognizes phone numbers, URLs, and email addresses, offering smart suggestions when copying or selecting text.
Developer and Enterprise Updates
Android 8.0 is packed with developer-friendly updates:
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AnimatorSet now supports reverse animations
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Keyboard clusters and default focus improvements
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Improved JobScheduler and background task management
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Custom data stores for preferences
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Enterprise APIs for work profiles, device management, and provisioning
For companies in Bangladesh, these features make managing employee devices easier while separating personal and work data.
Conclusion
So, there you have it, my full breakdown of Android 8.0 update features. From Picture-in-Picture to Smart Sharing, from Wi-Fi Aware to adaptive icons, this update is packed with features that improve performance, security, and usability.
For users with a phone in Bangladesh, the update brings both everyday convenience and enterprise-level improvements, making Android devices smarter, faster, and more secure than ever.
Honestly, after exploring it, I feel like my phone has leveled up. If you haven’t updated yet, I highly recommend giving Android 8.0 a try. You will notice the difference right away.
Frequently Asked Questions about Android 8.0 update features
Is Android 8.0 still supported?
Android 8.0 (Oreo) is no longer officially supported with updates from Google.
Can we update Android 8 to Android 10?
Some devices can be upgraded to Android 10, but it depends on the phone manufacturer and model.
How do I upgrade my phone to Android 8?
You can upgrade via the phone’s Settings → System → Software Update, if the update is available for your device.
How old is Android version 8?
Android 8 (Oreo) was released in August 2017, making it over 6 years old.
What are the features of Android 8?
Android 8 introduced Picture-in-Picture mode, notification channels, autofill, and improved battery management.
