The Samsung Galaxy A8 should get Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow soon, as it already received certification from the Wi-Fi Alliance.
Samsung has been gradually upgrading its 2015 and 2016 smartphones to Android Marshmallow, but it's a pretty slow process. Nevertheless, it now looks like the Galaxy A8 is the next in line to get some love from Samsung.
Here's how it works:
Once a device goes through Wi-Fi certification and gains approval for the upgrade, it typically doesn't take long for the new build to actually roll out.
The Galaxy A8 with model number SM-A800F was spotted (PDF download) at Wi-Fi Alliance running the latest Marshmallow treat, so Samsung is readying the update. The PDF file from Wi-Fi Alliance is available for download, if you need proof.
That doesn't mean the update is already rolling out, however. For the time being, the smartphone still runs Android 5.1 Lollipop, as both the device and the OS need to undergo testing before the software update is released to the general public. That's why the Galaxy A8 was spotted with Android 6.0.1 on board at the Wi-Fi certification facility: the certification means it's one step closer to getting the treat.
With the approval now granted, it's only a matter of time. Of course, Samsung has yet to make an official announcement regarding its Marshmallow road map or the update timeline for the Galaxy A8.
Nevertheless, it usually takes roughly a week or two after the certification for the update to start rolling out. With a little luck, Samsung Galaxy A8 owners might get a taste of Android Marshmallow by the end of the month.
Samsung is also expected to release the latest version of Marshmallow to several other handsets in its lineup, including the 2016 Galaxy A5 and A7, among others.
The latest Android distribution numbers showed that Marshmallow powered 4.6 percent of all Android devices in April. While that marked a notable improvement compared to the previous month, Marshmallow adoption is yet to gain a stronger foothold.
Even the FTC and FCC want to know why Android smartphone makers take so long to release security updates, so maybe a positive change is in the cards for the future.
We'll keep you in the loop as soon as we get more details, so stay tuned.
