Google has been working furiously to release the latest version of its operating system, Android 6.0 Marshmallow, to a group of its smartphone and tablet lineup, while others have been officially confirmed to be passing on the update. Here's a rundown of which devices will receive Marshmallow and which will remain on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop.
One of the advantages of purchasing a Nexus device is that owners are first in line to be treated to the latest version of Android. Because the devices are licensed by Google and manufactured by various smartphone makers that partner with the company, they are given first priority when it comes to OS updates.
That's surely the case when it comes to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the latest and greatest version of Google's Android OS. Google is preparing to update its current Nexus lineup with the new OS early this month, and the official list of devices set to receive the update has been reported, along with the older Nexus devices that will not ever receive Marshmallow.
The just-announced Huawei Nexus 6P and LG Nexus 5X ship with Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box, and the other Nexus devices slated to receive Android Marshmallow 6.0 are as follows: The HTC Nexus 9, Asus Nexus 7 (2013), Motorola Nexus 6, LG Nexus 5 and the Google Nexus Player.
Google has also confirmed a list of devices that will definitively not receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which includes the Nexus 4 smartphone, Nexus 7 (2012) and the Nexus 10 tablets. Those devices will remain on Android Lollipop 5.1.1 but will continue to receive critical security updates as needed.
Those devices lucky enough to receive the update will initially receive it in the form of factory images, which must be flashed to the device. Those who are not comfortable with that process can wait until the updates are officially pushed out to their device over the air.
Nexus owners have a host of features to look forward to but are particularly excited about the improvements in battery life that will result from installation of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which could increase battery life by up to 30 percent.
