Google has started rolling out Android 6.0 Marshmallow to Google Nexus users. Other major smartphone manufacturers, including HTC and Motorola, have also confirmed which of their phones will be getting the new Android OS, with rumours of more planned updates also doing the rounds.
Android Marshmallow features include a promised 30 percent average increase in standby battery life and new privacy and permissions controls that let users deny apps access to specific features. Google Now on Tap, which pops up extra information about anything a user reads, listens to or writes, can also be activated by pressing and holding the home button.
Google
Most of Google’s Nexus phones and tablets will be getting Android 6.0 updates, but not all. The Nexus 4 won’t be getting any updates, nor will pre-2013 editions of the Nexus 7 tablet. However, the following Google hardware will get Marshmallow, including Google’s latest Nexus phones, which will ship with Android 6.0 pre-installed. The company has also encouraged users to “keep your eyes peeled for other new devices shipping with Android 6.0.”
HTC
HTC has released a list of devices that’ll be getting Marshmallow, which includes a large chunk of the company’s flagship HTC One range.
Motorola
Like HTC, Motorola, which made the Google Nexus 6, has quickly put out a list of phones that will get the Marshmallow upgrade. However, it’s worth noting that some international variation appears to be in play, with US Moto X users bound to specific carriers not due to get the updates that the rest of us will benefit from. It also appears that support is based on year of release rather than specific hardware specifications. UK users are promised updates to recent Moto X and Moto G phones.
LG
Although LG has yet to make an English-language announcement, reports are circulating based on translated content from its Korean support pages, which indicate the LG G3 and LG G4 will both be getting the new Android operating system, although at the moment, support is only confirmed for Korean models such as the LG G3 F400, rather than European variants such as the LG G3 D855.
Samsung
Samsung hasn’t been as quick to release official upgrade lists, but confirmed “Android M” support for a number of its devices earlier this year. The news was tagged with the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy Note 4. There are plenty of less verifiable Samsung Marshmallow rumours circulating, too, with lists including the Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy Note Edge, Galaxy ALPHA and Galaxy Tab A in addition to the promised range of S6 and Note 4 models.
Sony
We’re firmly into the territory of unverified rumours now, but a purportedly leaked list being circulated by GizmoChina includes the Sony Xperia M5, C5 Ultra, Xperia Z4, various incarnations of the Sony Xperia Z3 and the Xperiea Z Ultra Google Play Edition, which at least seems likely.
Huawei
Maker of the new Google Nexus 6P, which definitely runs Marshmallow, Huawei is also rumoured — but not confirmed — to be releasing Android 6.0 updates for its Ascend P8, Mate 7 and Honor 6 Plus devices.
Everyone else
Rumours are flying wildly at the moment, but the most credible of the bunch also tip the Asus Zenfone 2 range for an Android Marshmallow update, as well as devices from lesser-known manufacturers including Xiaomi, iBerry, and OnePlus.
