Google took us by surprise when it unveiled the first Android Nougat beta earlier than usual. As a result, it seems this is going to affect the official release date of the OS, with current leaks suggesting that the OS will be here sooner than expected, probably before mid-August.
According to the latest details from Evan Blass, Google has plans to release the new Android Nougat during this month of August, beating last year’s September 29 release date by over a month. In addition to rolling out the new Android N, Blass claims that Google will also come in with the latest monthly security patch dated August 5.
If you have been a keen follower, you’ll know that not all Google Nexus devices were able to take part in the Android Nougat beta program. With this in mind, it is important to know that not all Nexus devices will also be updated with this OS. Nexus 5 was not part of the program and as such, it will not receive the Nougat update. Instead, the likes of Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus Player, Nexus 9/9G, Pixel C as well as Android One handsets will be the only ones receiving the update from the current Google Nexus lineup.
Now, following Blass’ revelations, it has now emerged that the OS could be here in the next few days. This is because a Redditor who claims to have removed his Nexus 6P handset from Android Nougat beta program due to experiencing battery life issues. This is a move that means the device goes back to the previous Marshmallow OS, but the unlikely happened where a confidential Android Nougat OTA build was sent to him. With the update, the firmware build number shifts from NPD90G, which is the version for the 5th preview version of Nougat, to version NRD90M.
According to the uploaded screenshots, the updated version in indeed a confidential OTA update with clear instructions to the Googler that they should not externally share the details. This all but confirms that Nexus 6P users will soon be receiving the new Android Nougat update, with other compatible devices expected to follow suit sooner than later, probably at the same time.
Google is set to unveil the successors to Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X this fall, devices that will be powered by the new Android Nougat.