Google will start rolling out the latest Android security patch for the month of June starting next week.
We know that the Google Nexus 6P will start getting this month’s Android security patch as from June 6, which is next week Tuesday. Although yet to be confirmed, this should also be the date that this same update rolls out to the Google Pixel, Pixel XL as well as Nexus 5X, among other Google devices.
The Nexus 6P will be receiving an update that weighs about 33MB and installs the June Android security patch. This update will also carry a bunch of bug fixes as well as performance upgrades. Usually, when Google rolls out these updates, users of General Mobile 4G Android One phones almost immediately join their counterparts using Nexus and Pixel devices in receiving the same treat. However, the story has been a little different over the past month or so.
Android One devices are devices that are aimed at the budget spenders in developing countries who want a taste of the stock Android OS yet they cannot get their hands on the likes of Google Pixel or Pixel XL phones. Where different OEMs take care of the hardware part, Google handles the software side of things, including rolling out software updates. But since General Mobile 4G Dual received the April Android security patch, no other update has hit this phone.
At the moment, this phone is based on Android 7.1.1 Nougat, which also means that the tech giant might have skipped the handset as far as Android 7.1.2 Nougat is concerned. In short, it’s almost time for the June Android security patch and the Android One phone hasn’t received the May security patch. So, is Google doing away with monthly updates for General Mobile 4G Android One phones?
While trying to figure that out, keep in mind that not so long ago, the tech giant unveiled Android Go. As much as Google hasn’t been bold enough to say that Android Go is here to take the place of Android One, it’s very possible that this is the case.
One thing about this Android One program is that it brings all the power of Android to the devices, regardless of whether the hardware on board can handle it or not. This has often resulted in underperforming devices that run stock Android, but with Android Go, Google wants everything to be optimized so as to coexist with each other perfectly. Since Android Go is targeting developing markets where budget devices are mostly in huge demands, the Android OS on used will be optimized to the same level as the hardware on board.
If anything, we are looking at Android Go devices that run a lighter version of Android, which takes after the trend we are seeing with app developers, where lighter versions of apps are coming in to aid those with slower internet connections.