Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Gets Android Pie Beta Programme, Dolby Atmos for Gaming Feature Hits Galaxy Note 9

Samsung recently began the rollout of Android 9 Pie for the Galaxy Note 9, as well as the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+, bringing One UI to the flagship smartphones. But it appears that the update also introduces a new feature called ‘Dolby Atmos for gaming' to the Galaxy Note 9 which enhances the overall sound output and the surround sound effect during gaming. In addition to updating the flagships launched in 2018, Samsung has also started the Android 9 Pie beta program for the Galaxy Note 8 in South Korea and India.

The public Android Pie beta programme for the Galaxy Note 8. Samsung was expected to release the Android 9 Pie update for the Galaxy Note 8 in March, but later revised the update schedule and moved the rollout timeline to February. Ahead of that schedule, the Korean giant has now officially kicked off the Android 9 Pie beta program for the Galaxy Note 8 in South Korea and India. 

The commencement of Android Pie beta program for the Galaxy Note 8 was first spotted by the folks over at SamMobile, who also discovered the arrival of the ‘Dolby Atmos for gaming' feature on the Galaxy Note 9. Galaxy Note 8 users in both the regions can now register for the beta program on the Samsung Members app and can download the new build. In addition to One UI, the Android 9 Pie beta update also brings the January Android security patch to the Galaxy Note 8.

Next, on the ‘Dolby Atmos for gaming' feature, it appears that it is only available for the Galaxy Note 9, despite the fact that Samsung released the Android 9 Pie update for the Galaxy Note 9, the Galaxy S9, and the Galaxy S9+ at the same time in India and South Korea. As for what the new feature does, its functionality is described as ‘Get realistic Dolby Atmos sound automatically when you play games' on the Galaxy Note 9. 

It must be noted that the Galaxy Note 9 and the Galaxy S9 duo already come with a separate Dolby Atmos settings section where users can customise the preferences for their multimedia consumption habits which includes watching videos or listening to music. The ‘Dolby Atmos for gaming' feature can be accessed on the Galaxy Note 9 by following this path: Settings > Advanced sound settings > Sound quality and effects > Dolby Atmos for Gaming.