Samsung does increase the numerical figure for some of its smartphone series to denote the generation, while other models in its range will maintain the same model number but will be differentiated based on the year. The Samsung Galaxy A5 is one of them -- and the 2014 model was listed to be ready to receive the Android 7.0 Nougat update based on what Australian carrier Optus shared, but there has been a small snag in the process and it looks like the Android 7.0 Nougat update for the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2014) is currently being tested -- with a roll out tipped to happen sometime in February 2017. Better late than never!
It is rather strange that while the Galaxy A5 (2014) has been confirmed to pick up the Android 7.0 Nougat update, there has been no mention whatsoever about the Galaxy A7 (2015) receiving the latest version of the Android operating system. We can only keep our fingers crossed that the Galaxy A7 (2015), too, will be able to pick up Android 7.0 Nougat at the same time as there really isn’t any concrete reason for it not to. We would think that other smartphones from the Galaxy A series family too, will obtain the Android 7.0 Nougat update at the same time.
On another note, it is encouraging to know that Samsung is currently working hard to make sure that all of its devices will be able to pick up the latest monthly Android Security Patches right now, including the Galaxy A5 (2014) and Galaxy A7 (2015) -- which goes to show how serious they are in keeping their older devices chugging even in 2017.
The latest January Android Security Patch for flagships that hail from 2014 include the Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, and also the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2014) and Galaxy A7 (2015). These two handsets were released at different times, where the Galaxy A5 was rolled out in December 2014, while the Galaxy A7 arrived in December 2015.
For those who are rocking to the Samsung Galaxy A5 (2014), you should keep a keen eye out for the update which has the version number A500F1U1CQA1. As for folks who have yet to upgrade their Galaxy A7 (2015), you should check out the version number A710LKLU1BQA4 in the latest Android Security Patch. Not only will your smartphone be protected with the newest security updates, it will also receive protection in the form of bug fixes as well as performance improvements. Do not expect any kind of new features to be thrown into the mix though.
It might take a few days for all owners of the handsets mentioned above to pick up the official update, since it functions as an Over The Air (OTA) update that will happen in stages. For those who have been bitten by the impatience bug, why not take the faster route by checking out Settings > About device > Download updates? Of course, if the update is not ready, it will still not appear.
