Android O is just around the corner and there is so much to expect from Google’s latest offering of the sweets inspired OS. The update will introduce stock picture in picture mode, colored notifications, system autofill API, improvements to Bluetooth and adaptive icons, battery saving tweaks and so much more.
One of the key improvements in the new update is Project Treble which would try to fix the fragmentation problem. With Project Treble, Google is separating the OS framework from “Vendor Interfaces” which would allow manufacturers to develop their own skins atop the stock Android. This would allow manufacturers to roll out updates to their devices easily and quickly.
But the most important just like every year is that when will your phone receives the Android O update. Indian manufacturers don’t have a great track record when it comes to releasing the updates and we expect not much to change this year. Here’s our prediction as to when and which devices will receive the new flavour of Android.
Samsung
Samsung is the Market leader in terms of sales in India. With a great offline distribution network and stockpiles of a marketing budget, Samsung sells millions of units in India, lead by the J Series. Looking at Samsung’s track record, Samsung J5, 2017 J7, and the more recent J7 Pro and J7 Max should receive the Android O Update.
The S7 received the update in January this year. So it is most likely that the S8 and the upcoming Note * would have to wait around 4-5 months for the update to be rolled out.
Here are the Samsung devices that should Recieve the updates
- Galaxy Note 8
- Galaxy S8
- Galaxy S8+
- Galaxy S7
- Galaxy S7 edge
- Galaxy A 2017 series (A3/A5/A7)
- Galaxy C7 Pro/C9 Pro
- Galaxy J7 Pro/J7 Max
- Galaxy J5/J7 2017
Xiaomi – Android O
Xiaomi offers the two best selling phones in the country, the Redmi Note 4 and the Redmi 4. However, the updates seem to be lagging behind. The Redmi Note 4 just received the Nougat update and Redmi 4/4A and Redmi 3S are still on Marshmallow.
Looking at this, the devices slated to receive the update could see long waiting time. Right now, the following devices are most likely to get the update.
- Mi Max 2
- Redmi Note 4
- Mi 5
Motorola
Motorola will most likely push Android O to the majority of its devices. This would be easy for Motorola due to the ever expanding device portfolio. Delays can be seen for entry level devices such as Moto C but the higher end models such as the G and the Z series should receive an update fairly quickly.
- Moto C series
- Moto E4 series
- Moto G5 series
- Moto G4 series
- Moto Z2 series
- Moto Z series
Google’s devices are the always the first to receive the OS and security updates and with the company committing to 2 years of platform and 3 years of security updates, the following phones released after August 2015 should get the Android O update.
- Google Pixel
- Google Pixel XL
- Nexus 6P
- Nexus 5X
Lenovo
The recently-released K8 Note will the Android O update, but for the rest of the devices in Lenovo’s portfolio, Nougat is the end of the line.
The K6 Note, K6 Power, P2, and Z2 Plus are running on Nougat, and no further updates will be pushed to these devices. The only Lenovo device that will receive Android O update is the K8 Note, which is also the first phone from the brand to feature stock Android.
- K8 Note
LG
The upcoming LG V30 could be one of the first devices to run Android O out of the box, but if it doesn’t, it will pick up the update. The G6 and V20 are also expected to receive Android O, as is case with the budget LG Q6.
- LG V30
- LG V20
- LG G6
- LG Q6
HTC
HTC’s U11 is one of the best phones in the market today, and the phone will surely pick up the Android O update, along with the U Ultra and last year’s HTC 10:
- HTC U11
- HTC U Ultra
- HTC 10
Sony
Sony is doing a superb job when it comes to delivering consistent updates, and the company should deliver Android O to a majority of devices launched in the last twelve months:
- Xperia XZ Premium
- Xperia X series
- Xperia XZ
- Xperia XZs
Notable mentions
- Hundreds of phones launch in India every year and it is impossible to keep track of all of them. So here are a few honorable mentions that would be getting the Android O update.
- The OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T will be getting the update soon.
- Smartron, who is focusing on software updates as a differentiating factor would surely push Android O to its flagship, the srt.phone.
- ASUS has announced that all phones in the ZenFone 3 and ZenFone 4 series will be updated to Android O
Phone manufacturers like Oppo and Vivo don’t seem to be interested in software updates. Most of their lineup still runs Marshmallow. So if you are using one of their devices, hold on to those expectations. Same goes for phones from the manufacturers like Micromax, Intex, Lava, and Karbonn.