Owning an Android-powered device is a very different experience from that of an iOS-powered device. With iOS, the boundaries are very clear -- either your device picks up the latest iOS update, or it has been relegated to the trash heap of obsolescence. With Android, however, Google’s pure Android phones will be on the receiving end of the latest Android update first, and then it is a game of musical chairs where the other smartphone manufacturers are concerned. With HTC, LG and Sony, just which of their handsets will pick up the latest Android 7.0 Nougat update, and when?
HTC Android 7.0 Nougat update release
HTC has gone through some rather trying times in the past, despite once looking as though they were going to conquer the Android smartphone market without anyone else coming close to them. Well, HTC did pretty well in 2015 where the rollout of the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update was concerned on the flagship HTC One M9. It happened in December, which was just a couple of months after Google introduced Marshmallow officially.
This year has been a downhill ride, with the HTC 10 not really being able to keep up the pace with the other high end flagships from its rival manufacturers, but perhaps they can offer a degree of redemption by introducing the latest Android 7.0 Nougat update earlier than the others. The HTC 10, HTC One A9, and HTC One M9 have all been confirmed to pick up the Android 7.0 Nougat update, although no one knows the exact moment that will happen. Leakster @LlabTooFer claims that Android 7.0 Nougat will arrive on the HTC 10 before November comes to an end -- albeit only for those living in Europe, with early December being the back-up plan. Chances are this will be meant for unlocked devices, so take note of that.
LG Android 7.0 Nougat update news
As for the LG stable of smartphones, anything other than the LG V20 has no Android 7.0 Nougat at the moment, and we have also heard news that the LG V20 itself is being prepared for an Android 7.1 Nougat update. That would be pretty cool for sure. As for the remaining LG devices that qualify for the Nougat update, the flagship LG G5 will certainly be one handset in addition to the LG V10, LG G Stylo, and the older flagship models -- the LG G4 and the LG G3 that are getting on in its age now. It seems that the LG G5 has already started to pick up the Android 7.0 Nougat update, although that is happening in South Korea only. LG mentioned that those living outside of South Korea will have to wait for a few more weeks before they are even able to get a whiff of Nougat -- and for unlocked phones, too.
Sony Android 7.0 Nougat update schedule
What about Sony handsets? Presentation slides leaked from Sony's Slovakian branch in September this year did point to a detailed roadmap for the Android 7.0 Nougat update, and obviously the flagship models would be first in line to receive it. The October target has come and gone, but at least we do know that the Xperia X Performance and Xperia XZ will be Nougat-friendly, accompanied by the likes of the Xperia X, Xperia X Compact, Xperia Z5 series, Xperia Z4 Tablet, and Xperia Z3+.
