Android 5.0 Lollipop Update: Which Devices Will Get Google's Latest Mobile Operating System First?

Android users are now eagerly waiting for their devices to update to the new Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system, which Google Inc. announced on Wednesday. Though many Android-powered devices will soon receive updates, many more won’t be scheduled to update for several weeks or maybe even months.

How long will you have to wait for an update? Several Android hardware manufacturers have confirmed that their devices will receive Android 5.0 Lollipop. Many others remain quiet and likely won’t have any details until just before they decide to send the software to their devices.

Google

Older Nexus devices by Google will receive the Android 5.0 Lollipop update around the same time that the new Nexus 6 smartphone and Nexus 9 tablet release to the market in November. Google has confirmed that Android 5.0 developer software will be available on Oct. 17. The software giant is expected to send out the Android 5.0 update for its Nexus 7 Wi-Fi and Nexus 10 tablets on Nov. 3, while its Nexus 4 and Nexus 5 smartphones and Nexus 7 LTE tablet should update later in the month. Google Play Edition devices will also update “in a few weeks,” Google said.

Motorola

Motorola has confirmed that several of its devices will update to Android 5.0 Lollipop, including the Moto X, 2013 and 2014 models, the Moto G, 2013 and 2014 models, the Moto G LTE and the Moto E as well as the Droid Ultra, Droid Maxx, and Droid Mini. The manufacturer hasn't disclosed its update timeline but says information will be shared on its software upgrades page once its available.

As Motorola helped Google design its new Nexus 6 smartphone, which has a design based on the Moto X 2014, it is likely that other Motorola devices will update to Android 5.0 Lollipop quickly. In 2013, when Motorola was a subsidiary of Google, its devices were among the first to update to Android 4.4 KitKat when it released.

HTC

HTC confirmed in June that it would update several devices in its HTC One line soon after the launch of Android 5.0 Lollipop. The manufacturer is still committed to a specific deadline, aiming to have its HTC One (M7) and (M8) models running Android 5.0 within 90 days of receiving the software from Google.

Currently, HTC hasn't detailed whether it already has the Android 5.0 software; however, the manufacturer also helped Google design its new Nexus 9 tablet. Its involvement in the original Android 5.0 tablet could hasten the update for its other devices, similar to Motorola. If HTC maintains the transparency standards it adopted with the introduction of Android 4.4 KitKat last year, the company should soon have more information for users anxious to update.

Sony

Sony has confirmed that its entire Xperia Z line will update to Android 5.0 Lollipop, including the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia Z1, Xperia Z1S, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1 Compact, Xperia Z2, Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia Z3, Xperia Z3v, Xperia Z3 Compact and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact.

First to update will be the Google Play edition Z Ultra, which Google said would be among the first devices to receive an update. Sony says it will begin updating devices in the Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z2 lines in early 2015. Update information will be shared on the Sony Mobile Blog and Twitter once it’s available.

Nvidia

Nvidia has confirmed that its Nvidia Shield tablet will receive Android 5.0 Lollipop but hasn't given further details about the update.

Samsung

Samsung hasn't confirmed any Android 5.0 Lollipop updates for its devices; however, at least one device from the manufacturer is certain to receive the new software. The Samsung Galaxy S4 Google Play edition should be among the first devices to receive Android 5.0.

We've already seen Android 5.0 in action on a Samsung device. Prior to the software’s launch, video of a Galaxy S5 handset running a test version of Android 5.0 Lollipop -- then called Android L -- surfaced. The software preview showed Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface updated in accordance with the Material Design interface of Android L, which indicates that Samsung has been developing its iteration of the Android 5.0 software for some time.

Devices including the Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy S5, Galaxy Note 3 and Galaxy S4 are also expected to receive an Android 5.0 Lollipop update.

LG

LG hasn't confirmed any Android 5.0 Lollipop updates for its devices; however, at least one device from the manufacturer is certain to receive the new software. The LG G Pad 8.3 Google Play edition should be among the first devices to receive Android 5.0. Devices including the LG G3, LG G2 and LG G2 Pro are also expected to receive an update.