With the official annoucement of Google's Android v7.0 mobile OS as the Nougat, the focus now shifts to which devices will get the new update.
Based on previous release patterns, we have listed all the possible Samsung Galaxy series smartphones, which are most likely to receive the Android Nougat. Samsung, as always, is expected to release the Android N update in reverse chronological sequence, starting with the latest flagship devices. But anybody who have owned a Samsung phone, especially the mid-range model, would be worried as the South Korean company, despite being the biggest smartphone-maker in the industry, is known for ignoring them as compared to the expensive models.
However, this year Samsung, to everyone's surprise, released Android Marshmallow to the budget J series and the mid-range Galaxy A series. This apparently has led many to believe that the company will the show the same generosity to the non-flagship 2016 series phones as well.
We believe the 2016 flagship devices — Galaxy S7, S7 edge — are confirmed to get the new update, which will later be released to the 2015 series marquee phones — Galaxy S6 edge+, S6 active (AT&T exclusive), Note 5, Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge.
It is also possible that the upcoming Galaxy Note 7 series, which is expected to get unveiled in the first week of August, may pip the Galaxy S7 series in the race to be the first Samsung device to receive the Nougat update.
Also read: Android Nougat release: When will Moto G4, Moto Z, Moto X series get the new Android 7.0 update?
Other devices, which are expected to get the Nougat OS are 2016 series — Galaxy J7, J5, A7, A5, A3, A9, A9 Pro and the recently released Galaxy C7 and C7.
When will the Samsung Galaxy devices get the new Android Nougat update?
Google is scheduled to roll out the near-final Android N firmware by the end of July. The final Gold Master (GM) version is expected to be released to the public in the third quarter, probably by the end of August or in early September.
Like in all the previous instances, Google-affiliated Nexus series will have the first priority on the Nougat update.
Samsung, after receiving the RTM (Release To Manufacturing) version of the Android N source code, will take its own time to make changes, so that it is compatible with the Touch UI of the Galaxy devices.
So Samsung is likely to commence the Nougat update roll-out process for the 2016-based flagship devices before the end of December and complete it by the end of the first quarter of 2017.
After that, Samsung will focus on the mid-range A7, A5, A3 series and later on the J7 and J5 series.
Which Samsung Galaxy devices will miss not Android Nougat update?
Samsung and other OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) have a pact with Google to offer software update service support for the devices for a minimum of 18 months after the device gets released to the market.
So the 2014 series phones — Galaxy S5, Note 4 and Note Edge, which received Android Marshmallow earlier this year, will not be eligible to get the Nougat update.
Watch this space for more updates.
