The biggest name that hasn’t yet confirmed its Android 5.0 upgrade plans is Samsung. Even though the company will obviously upgrade its latest phones such as the Galaxy Note 4 and the Galaxy S5, there’s reason to wonder if an older device such as the Galaxy S4 will get an upgrade. Similarly, LG has yet to announce whether its last two flagship devices, the LG G2 and the LG G3, will get Lollipop.
Other than that, we know that flagship devices from HTC, Sony and Motorola — along with Google’s own Nexus-branded devices — will be getting Android 5.0 Lollipop at some point.
For customers anxious to get their hands on the latest from Google and its hardware partners the next few weeks should prove quite fun. But, those who recently purchased a handset will also be interested in Android 5.0's tasty new features. This will be even more so if you picked up a flagship model.
We have compiled a handy chart which outlines the top smartphones of 2013-2014 and listed their respective expectations. For the sake of keeping things simple, we'll refer to some of these models in a broad sense and not break down individual carrier versions. Just know that even the manufacturers which have promised Lollipop have not provided exact release dates.
Model | Current Version | Getting Lollipop? |
Google Nexus 5 | 4.4.4 KitKat | Confirmed |
Google Nexus 4 | 4.4.4 KitKat | Confirmed |
HTC One M8 | 4.4.4 KitKat | Confirmed |
HTC One M7 | 4.4.3 KitKat | Confirmed |
Samsung Galaxy S5 | 4.4.4 KitKat | No announcement |
Samsung Galaxy S4 | 4.4.2 KitKat | No announcement |
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 | 4.4.4 KitKat | No announcement |
Samsung Galaxy Note 3 | 4.4.4 KitKat | No announcement |
LG G3 | 4.4.2 KitKat | No announcement |
LG G2 | 4.4.2 KitKat | No announcement |
Sony Xperia Z3 | 4.4.4 KitKat | Confirmed |
Sony Xperia Z2 | 4.4.2 KitKat | Confirmed |
Moto X (2014) | 4.4.4 KitKat | Confirmed |
Moto X (2013) | 4.4.4 KitKat | Confirmed |
Moto G (2014) | 4.4.2 KitKat | Confirmed |
Moto G (2013) | 4.4.2 KitKat | Confirmed |
Note that there are plenty of other models and variants which should see Android 5.0 in due time. Sony, HTC, and Motorola were all quick to spell out a wider range of products which will pick up Lollipop.
In terms of other phones or tablets, the general rule tends to be newer and more popular devices get the update first, followed by carrier-exclusive products. International and unlocked smartphones can sometimes receive new versions weeks ahead of those offered by wireless providers.