Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates roundup – November 20, 2015 ~ MatriX

Android 6.0 Marshmallow is here, and now the waiting game is on. “When will my phone get the Marshmallow update?” ask countless Android fans, and for good reason: while phone makers are doing a better job at keeping their devices up to date, the process is still lengthy and opaque. Worse, many models will inevitably be left behind. We’re here to shed some light on the issue.

In this post, which will be updated frequently, we are rounding up all the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update news, so you can get a good picture of what to expect.

Update – November 20. Added info on the leaked Marshmallow build for the Galaxy Note 5, the Sony Marshmallow concept, as well as official info on the updates for OnePlus, Asus, and Nvidia.

Update – November 12. Added info on Lenovo updates, the LG G4 update in Korea, HTC One M9 Google Play Edition, and the BlackBerry Priv.

Update – October 29. Added info on Sony’s Marshmallow Concept beta program, factory image for Nexus 6P, the Honor 7 update, and custom ROMs for LG G4 and OnePlus One.

Update – October 22. Added info on HTC One A9, Sony devices, the official update list for Huawei devices and the Moto X Style (Pure) update.

Update – October 16. Added factory image link for Nexus 6, official information about the LG G4 Marshmallow update, the rumored Xperia Z4 Tablet update, and info on custom ROMs for Nexus devices.

First release – October 14. Includes links to OTA files and factory images for Nexus and Android One devices; official info on updates for HTC, Sony, and Motorola; rumored and potential devices for Samsung, LG, Huawei, ZTE, OnePlus, and Asus.

Before we start

The release of Android updates for most devices is a complex process, involving Google, chipmakers, device makers, and carriers. With so many players, and so many things that can go wrong, you should expect delays, slow rollouts, botched releases, and generally a lot of variation based on your specific model, your region, and your carrier.

Just because your device is listed here as officially announced to receive Marshmallow (or worse, just rumored to get the update), it doesn’t mean that your particular model will receive it in a timely manner, or even at all.

Conversely, just because your phone or tablet isn’t listed here, it doesn’t mean that it won’t be updated. OEMs occasionally change their minds. In other cases, the lists that they put out are non-final.

Patience is advised.

Nexus Marshmallow update

As in most cases, Nexus devices are first in line for updates. Google has released Android 6.0 factory images for Nexus devices on October 5. These images can be flashed manually, allowing you to bypass a potentially lengthy wait for the OTA update. Factory images are available for:

The Nexus 4, Nexus 7 2012 (both variants), and Nexus 10 will not make the jump to Marshmallow.

If you don’t want to wait, it’s relatively easy to flash a factory image, following our guide:

How to manually install Android 6.0 Marshmallow on a Nexus device (Windows and Linux)

You can also manually flash the OTA zip files, which is the update file that would normally be pushed to your device from Google’s server. Note that in order to correctly install the update, your device must be running the firmware version mentioned in the link. OTA links via Android Police.

Android One Marshmallow update

Like Nexus phones, all Android One devices are supposed to receive fast Android updates straight from Google. Factory images for various Android One phones sold in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Philippines, and Nepal are available below.

To flash these images, you can follow our manual installation guide.

Samsung Marshmallow update

Like with previous versions, Samsung has not made any official announcements concerning the Android 6.0 updates for its smartphones and tablets. We do have however, some off the record information via SamMobile and T-Mobile.

The following devices are rumored to receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow.

Galaxy S5
Galaxy S5 LTE-A
Galaxy S5 neo
Galaxy S6
Galaxy S6 Edge
Galaxy S6 Edge+
Galaxy Note 4
Galaxy Note Edge
Galaxy Note 5
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2

These are all obvious candidates for an upgrade, so we’re pretty confident that Marshmallow will be available for most versions of these devices, sooner or later. As for what to expect from the update, Samsung has an infographic listing some of the features.

On November 16, an unfinished Marshmallow build for the T-Mobile Galaxy Note 5 leaked out. While the build is rough around the edges, it gives us a glimpse of the visual changes coming to Samsung flagships with the Android 6.0 update. A system dump and a full partition dumpare available. Here are some screenshots:

LG Marshmallow update

LG announced it will be the first OEM to roll out Android Marshmallow, starting from next week. There’s a catch: only the LG G4 model sold in Poland will receive this update, with models in other “markets in Europe, Asia and the Americas” to follow.

The LG G4 models sold in South Korea began receiving the Marshmallow update on November 4.

T-Mobile’s update list also mentions the LG G3 and G4 Stylo, which are obvious choices for an update. Besides this, we can speculate that the recently announced V10 and the G Flex 2 will also be making the jump. We’re less optimistic about LG’s mid-rangers, including the Bello, Magna, Leon, and Spirit, though at least some of them can probably handle Marshmallow.

Motorola Marshmallow update

Motorola has made a good name for itself in the Android community, thanks to its fast updates and focus on a smooth stock-like user experience. The Marshmallow rollout may change that positive perception though. It’s not that Motorola hasn’t been forthcoming about its plans; it’s the fact that those plans seemingly don’t include either version of the Moto E, the Moto X (2013), or some carrier versions of the Moto X (2014).

2015 Moto X Pure Edition (3rd gen)
2015 Moto X Style (3rd gen)
2015 Moto X Play
2015 Moto G (3rd gen)
2014 Moto X Pure Edition in the US (2nd gen)
2014 Moto X in Latin America, Europe and Asia (2nd gen)
2014 Moto G and Moto G with 4G LTE (2nd gen)
DROID Turbo
2014 Moto MAXX
2014 Moto Turbo
Nexus 6

According to a Motorola representative, some users are already testing the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update for the Moto X Pure (Style). That means Motorola is in the late stages of preparing the update for a wider rollout, and hopefully we’re hear something new soon.

On November 12, Motorola kicked off the Android 6.0 rollout for the Moto X (2014) and the Moto X Style. The first markets where the OTA is available are Brazil and India.

HTC Marshmallow update

HTC has revealed a tentative list of devices that will be updated to Android 6.0, and even a timeline. The One M8 and One M9 will see Marshmallow by the end of the year, while the other phones listed below will get the same treatment from early next year.

HTC One M9
HTC One M8
HTC One M9+
HTC One E9+
HTC One E9
HTC One ME
HTC One E8
HTC One M8 EYE
HTC Butterfly 3
HTC Desire 826
HTC Desire 820
HTC Desire 816

After the launch of the One A9, HTC announced the unlocked version of the device will receive “every” Android update within 15 days from the time the update hits the Nexus devices. That’s a very bold promise, and hopefully it’s a sign of bigger things to come.

The HTC One M8 Google Play Edition is the first HTC device to be updated to Marshmallow.The rollout for the device is underway.

Sony Marshmallow update

Sony has published an exhaustive list of devices it plans to update to Marshmallow, including all the likely candidates, including the latest Xperia Z5 series. Unfortunately, Sony won’t bring Marshmallow to the 2013 Xperia Z1 and Z1 Compact, as well as the older Xperia Z. On the flip side, at least there are a few mid-rangers on the list. Sony has also released AOSP resources and binaries for some of its devices, allowing the community to easily create custom ROMs.

As for the update itself, Sony is running a beta program with 10,000 users that we hope to learn more about soon. The beta update has begun rolling out on October 19 and Sony supplemented the number of beta invites so more users can join in the fun. On October 28, Sony rolled out an OTA update for the Marshmallow beta.

On November 20, we brought you our hands-on with the Sony Marshmallow concept running on the Xperia Z3.

Sony devices officially confirmed to get Marshmallow:

T Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact, and Xperia Z5 Premium
Xperia Z4 Tablet
Xperia Z3+, Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet
Xperia M5, Xperia C5 Ultra, Xperia M4 Aqua and Xperia C4

According to Australian carrier Telstra, the update for the Xperia Z4 Tablet will roll out in January 2016.

A note for users of the Sony Xperia Z3+, Z4 Tablet, C4, C5 Ultra, M4 Aqua and M5: according to a Sony support page, these devices will jump straight to Android 6.0, skipping Android 5.1.1.

Huawei Marshmallow update

Huawei has a lousy record when it comes to releasing Android updates for its devices, but perhaps its involvement with the Nexus program will help nudge things along.
Considering that the Mate 7, Huawei’s 2014 flagship, is yet to receive Lollipop, we wouldn’t hold our breath. That said, a rumor out of China suggests the Mate 7, P8, Honor 6 Plus and more devices will eventually see Android 6.0.

As it turns out, Huawei has proved us wrong. The company announced in would put Marshmallow on the following devices:

Huawei Mate S
Huawei Mate 7
Huawei P8
P8 Youth Edition
P8 Max
Maimagn 4
G7 Plus
G7
Honor 7
Honor 7i
6 Plus
Honor 6
Honor X2
Honor 4X
Honor Play 4C

The Honor team, which is technically autonomous inside Huawei, recently announced that a beta build of Android 6.0 Marshmallow update for the Honor 7 will be made available in the following weeks.

ZTE Marshmallow update

Like Huawei, ZTE is known for not caring about Android updates. It remains to be seen if this year will be any different. ZTE is looking for a breakthrough in the Western markets with the Axon line, so perhaps the Chinese giant will deem it necessary to bring Marshmallow to it, at the least.

OnePlus Marshmallow update

OnePlus is in a tricky place: its first phone, the One, still runs Cyanogen OS, and theoretically, Steve Kondik’s outfit should deliver the Marshmallow update in the following months. The OnePlus 2, meanwhile, runs OnePlus’s own OS, Oxygen, and its development is led by former members of the Paranoid Android team. Considering that the Oxygen OS team is still busyworking on the current, Android 5-based release, the prospect of a Marshmallow release seems remote.

On November 16, OnePlus announced a timeframe for its devices updates:

The original OnePlus One will get Cyanogen OS 13 (from Cyanogen OS) in Q1 2016.
The semi-official Oxygen OS build for OnePlus One will be updated to Marshmallow when "time allows it."
The OnePlus 2 will receive the update to the Marshmallow-based Oxygen OS version in Q1 2016.
No information was given about the Marshmallow update for the new OnePlus X.

Asus Marshmallow update

One sketchy rumor claimed Asus will bring Marshmallow to the Zenfone 2 series, including the Zenfone Laser, Deluxe, and Selfie. It looks like the rumor was at least partially correct, because Asus came out with a short list of devices that will get the Marshmallow update:

PadFone S (PF500KL)
ZenFone 2 (ZE550ML/ZE551ML)
ZenFone 2 Deluxe / Special Edition (ZE551ML)
ZenFone 2 Laser (ZE500KG/ZE500KL/ZE550KL/ZE600KL/ZE601KL)
ZenFone Selfie (ZD551KL)

Missing from the list are the original Zefone 4, 5, and 6, as well as other Asus devices from 2014.

Lenovo Marshmallow update

Lenovo finally announced some of its Marshmallow plans on November 6, but the good news ends there. Lenovo only confirmed the update for a handful of devices, and the timeframe for the rollout is painfully long:

Lenovo A7000, A7000 Plus, and K3 Note - update expected by September 2016
Lenovo Vibe P1 and Vibe S1 - update expected by June 2016

BlackBerry Marshmallow update

BlackBerry only released one Android device to date, and a fast Marshmallow update isn't a priority for the company. The BlackBerry Priv will receive Android 6.0 "sometime into the new year." Whether that means early 2016 or a year from now, it's hard to tell.

Nvidia Marshmallow update

On November 17, Nvidia relaunched the Shield Tablet as the Shield Tablet K1. The revamped model runs Lollipop, just like its predecessor, but Nvidia promised an update to Android 6.0 "in the coming months." We will update when more info arrives.

Custom (unofficial) Marshmallow ROMs

When Android OEMs let us down, we all look up the developer community to pick up the slack, at least when it comes to Android updates. Unfortunately, the custom ROM scene is not as vibrant as it used to be, with only CyanogenMod left to carry the torch.

For now, we know that the CyanogenMod team has started working on the Marshmallow-based CM13, though we don’t have an official announcement yet.

Also keep an eye on independent developers – for instance, Dmitry Grinberg has come up with a working Marshmallow ROM for the Nexus 4, and there are also Marshmallow ROM projectsfor the Galaxy Nexus and the Nexus 7 (2012).

Custom stock Marshmallow ROM are available for the OnePlus One and for the LG G4.

It's not a ROM, but the Xposed framework is definitely important to many Android users. On November 10, developer rovo86 announced that the Xposed for Marshmallow is almost finalized.

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MatriX

Saturday, 21 November 2015