It’s the eternal question that we all face when it’s time for a new version of Android: when will I get it?
We have the answer! Well, sort of. Android is a fragmented mess customized by many different smartphone makers, so finding out when exactly you’ll get Nougat depends on a lot of different factors.
However, a lot can be learned from previous updates as well as announcements and leaks (see this research from Computerworld for more about past update performance). Here’s what we know so far. We’ll continually refresh this piece once more details about Nougat updates become official.
Nexus
Android Nougat has been rolling out to the most recent crop of Nexus devices: the Nexus 6P, 5X, 6, 9, and Pixel C tablet.
The Nexus 9 LTE was the latest to grab the update. That model typically trails the Wi-Fi only version for the extra work needed to ensure proper LTE connectivity. We’ve yet to hear when the Nexus crop will get Android 7.1 that’s debuting with Google’s latest darling, the Pixel.
Samsung
The most dominant handset maker by far is Samsung, which has pulled together a string of hits this year with the Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, and brand new Note 7.
There is some good news to be had with the latest handset. A Korea Times report cites Koh Dong-jin, president of Samsung Electronics’ mobile communications division, who committed to a Nougat update for the Note 7 in two to three months.
That would likely take longer to actually hit your phone here in the U.S., as Samsung has to also deal with carrier approvals, which tend to drag out the updates.
For example, the AT&T Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ finally received Marshmallow in June 2016, a full eight months after the software’s release. On the other hand, the international, unlocked versions got the update in February.
Samsung has had more success at delivering the monthly security updates, as there’s less room for carrier interference. If you have a Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, S6 Edge+ or Note 5 there’s a high likelihood you’ll get Nougat, but probably after it goes to the current flagships.
T-Mobile
The magenta network offers a dedicated software update page that details which phones are scheduled to get an Android Nougat update. Here the phones on the current list, though there aren’t details about when Nougat will arrive. More phones may be announced in the future.
HTC 10
HTC One M9
Galaxy Note 5
Galaxy Note 7
Galaxy S6
Galaxy S6 Edge
Galaxy S6 Edge+
Galaxy S7
Galaxy S7 Edge
HTC
The company’s that’s very likely behind the next Nexus phones has confirmed Nougat for several iterations of its phones. The latest tweet offers a few more specifics about when it may land on your phone.
As you can see from the tweet, there are a few details that give you a better idea about when it will show up: fourth quarter for the unlocked HTC 10, with the unlocked One A9 and carrier versions to follow.
HTC is one of the better companies when it comes to communicating about updates and trying to get them in a timely out to the flagships. So if you have one of these phones, stay tuned.
LG
LG, not Google, delivered the first new smartphone of the year with Nougat aboard. The company announced the LG V20 is coming in September as a follow-up to last year’s V10. Google is showing some Nougat solidarity by featuring the V20 prominently on its Android Nougat page.
There’s more from LG on the Nougat front, with G5 owners in Korea able to test out the software through a new beta program. The good news for you is that gives LG a large user base to try out Nougat with, increasing the chances it will reach your phone sooner.
The V10 should get Nougat, as the company went a couple of generations back to deliver Marshmallow to the G3. If you’re still holding onto that one, however, there’s a decent chance you won’t get Nougat as it’s outside the typical 18-month update window that a lot of manufacturers and carriers pledge.
Motorola
The Lenovo company has detailed its Nougat plans for the bulk of its available smartphones. In a blog post, Motorola says that Nougat is coming to the following phones:
Moto G (4th Gen)
Moto G Plus (4th Gen)
Moto G Play (4th Gen)
Moto X Pure Edition (3rd Gen)
Moto X Style
Moto X Play
Moto X Force
Droid Turbo 2
Droid Maxx 2
Moto Z
Moto Z Droid
Moto Z Force Droid
Moto Z Play
Moto Z Play Droid
Nexus 6
Motorola also offers a dedicated support page for updates, so you can check there to find out about a specific model. The blog post only references Android 7.0 instead of the 7.1 that was unveiled with the Google Pixel, so we’ll have to see how that plays out.
Sony
Sony offered some specific details about its own Nougat plans. The company said in a blog post that it will make Nougat available for the following: Xperia Z3+, Xperia Z4 Tablet, Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact, Xperia Z5 Premium, Xperia X, Xperia XA, Xperia XA Ultra and Xperia X Performance.
There was no timeframe provided for the updates, though Sony did promise, “new Sony features and functionality” would come along for the ride. Usually that just means more bloatware and needless software enhancements, but we’ll withhold judgment until we get to try it out for ourselves.