The wait is over and Android Nougat is no longer available for a select few, but now the public can also have it on their devices.
There are quite a huge number of new features that have come with the new OS, alongside improvements from the previous Android Marshmallow. You will meet the likes of multi-window support, bundle notifications, Quick Settings, enhanced Doze mode and so much more. In general, Google says that Android Nougat is the sweetest OS yet to have come from the search engine giant.
These words alone are making every Android owner want to have a taste of the new software. But as usual, there are some limitations that could mean you won’t be able to update your current handset to the latest Android version. There have been reports that devices with Snapdragon 801 and below will not receive this Android Nougat update, but this has not been confirmed in any capacity by Google or Android OEMs in question.
With this in mind, it is important that you take great care when buying a new device, especially if you want to update it to the latest Android Nougat as soon as possible. Of course, developers are already up and running with various Nougat-based custom ROMs ready for installation, however, these usually mean that you do away with your device’s warranty. In case you want to take a genuine channel of getting the new OS installed on your phone (and your current phone is not compatible), we have listed the best three phones you can buy now and update to the latest Android Nougat right away. Check them out.
Google Nexus 6P
Released last year, the Google Nexus 6P is a 2015 flagship that was made by Huawei. With a current price tag of just $499 for the 32GB model, you will be sure to install Android Nougat on this device right away following your purchase. The phone boasts a flagship design, specs, and features, among them a 5.7-inch QHD AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 810 and 3GB RAM, among others.
Google Nexus 5X
The Google Nexus 5X was released alongside the Nexus 6P, but unlike the latter, the former was made by LG. Coming in as a second-tier phone, the Nexus 5X still packs hardware specs that conform with Android Nougat requirements. The device is already receiving the new OS.
For a price of just $280, you will get a 5.2-inch Full HD screen that is powered by a Snapdragon 808 SoC and a RAM of 2GB. However, the storage capacity is limited at 16GB, with no room for microSD card storage. There is a 2700mAh battery and a 13MP snapper on the back of the handset, which should deliver great photography.
Google Nexus 6
In 2014, Google released a single handset in the shape of Nexus 6. Made by Motorola, the handset is also among the few devices currently receiving Android Nougat update. Even though it came in as a flagship back then, the subsequent release of the Nexus 6P has seen the price of this handset drop down to the regions of $300 or even less, but still, the drop isn’t as significant as what is happening with last year’s models.
As for the specs, you get a phablet-sized 5.96-inch display panel that boasts a QHD resolution, a Snapdragon 805 SoC and a RAM of 3GB. The storage capacity is capped at 64GB, but the base model comes with 32GB and there is no room for microSD card expansion.
So, if you are after a smartphone that is ready for Android Nougat OTA update as at the time of this writing, these three are your only options. Alternatively, you can wait for a few more weeks before a new LG V20 and Google Nexus 2016 phones come to life with Android Nougat out of the box. However, the price will not be as favorable as what you see with the Nexus 6, Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X.