Android 7.1 Nougat was unveiled earlier today alongside the Pixel and Pixel XL, but there's still a fair bit we don't know about it. Now, thanks to a source from Google, we've got a list of both Pixel-exclusive and non-exclusive changes. (It's unclear which category the Pixel C falls under.)

This is a long one, so take a deep breath before reading:

Pixel product-specific

  • Pixel Launcher - swipe up for all apps, new Search Box, date/weather header on home
  • Google Assistant
  • Unlimited original quality photo/video backup to Google Photos
  • Smart Storage - when storage is full, automatically removes old backed up photos/videos
  • Phone/Chat support (new support tab in settings), screen-share functionality
  • Quick switch adapter for wired setup from Android or iPhone
  • Pixel Camera:
    • Electronic Image Stabilization (“video stabilization”) 2.0
    • Pro Features
      • White Balance Presets
      • Exposure Compensation
      • AE/AF Locking
      • Viewfinder grid modes
    • HW-accelerated (on Qualcomm Hexagon coprocessor) HDR+ image processing
    • Smartburst
  • Sensor Hub processor with tightly integrated sensors (accel, gyro, mag) + connectivity (Wi-Fi, Cell, GPS)
  • Cosmetic
    • Solid navbar icons with home affordance for Assistant
    • SysUI accent color theming
    • Wallpaper picker with new wallpapers and sounds
    • New setup look and feel
    • Dynamic calendar date icon

Android Nougat 7.1

  • Night Light
  • Touch/display performance improvements
  • Moves (Fingerprint swipe down gesture - opt-in)
  • Seamless A/B system updates
  • Daydream VR mode
  • Developer features:
    • App shortcuts / shortcut manager APIs
    • Circular app icons support
    • Keyboard image insertion
    • Fingerprint sensor gesture to open/close notification shade
    • Manual storage manager Intent for apps
    • Improved VR thread scheduling
    • Enhanced wallpaper metadata
    • Multi-endpoint call support
    • Support for various MNO requirements
      • PCDMA voice privacy property
      • Source type support for Visual Voicemail
      • Carrier config options for managing video telephony
  • Manual storage manager - identifies apps and files and apps using storage

There's a ton of stuff here, so let's just go over some of the highlights.

The Pixel Launcher, Google Assistant, unlimited original quality Google Photos backup, "EIS 2.0" (Google's alternative to OIS), solid navbar icons, new blue SystemUI theming, wallpaper picker, new setup look, and dynamic calendar date icon will remain exclusive to the Pixels. However, the Pixel Launcher issue can be dealt with by flashing a ZIP or installing an APK (which would then bring the wallpaper picker and dynamic calendar date icon), and the navbar buttons can be themed with software mods.

Devices running 7.1 may include Night Light (a blue light filter), performance improvements to touch and display, fingerprint swipe down gesture, Daydream VR support, and a "manual storage manager." (The Nexus 5X and 6P will not have the fingerprint swipe down gesture, Night Light, or Daydream VR due to hardware constraints.) There are also several notable features that developers can implement, such as circular app icons, and the aforementioned fingerprint swipe gesture. If you have a current phone, don't get too excited by the inclusion of seamless A/B system updates; Google has repeatedly stated that this will not be available for existing devices.

In summation, the Pixel line (again, we're not sure if this includes the Pixel C) will have a lot of exclusives, but some could trickle down to other devices via flashable ZIPs or Xposed modules. I'm personally just glad to see that the fingerprint swipe down gesture will come to other devices.