Android M Geared Only For Nexus 5, 6 & 9; Older Nexus Models Stuck With Lollipop 5.xx

Not all Nexus devices are created equal as the upcoming Android M, code-named Macadamia Nut Cookie or MNC, will reportedly skip the older Nexus smartphones and tablets. Google’s mobile operating system upgrade this year, it appears, is exclusive to the 2014 Nexus builds while the Nexus 2015 will surely debut with Android M on release date.

As Google prepares for its annual I/O Developers Conference later this week, key details on the next-generation Android OS have started leaking out. Assumed to get first taste of the freshly whipped up Android M are the existing Nexus devices, but that is not necessarily true, Android Police reported.

Limits And Revisions

According to the same blog report, starting off with Android M, the Nexus native software life cycle will be clearly defined. Major system updates such as the deployment of new OS versions will be guaranteed for two years. The beginning point is the software’s original release date.

For the equally important security patches, the guarantee is three years maximum. In this respect, the clock begins to tick on the first day of actual purchase or activation, the Android Police blog post added. With the new rule likely to be in place soon, the prospect of aging Nexus phones and slates not enjoying the Android M package is becoming real.

Missing The Cut

So the Lollipop replacement is more likely not to sweeten the following devices: the Nexus 4 smartphone that LG had assembled for Google in 2012, the Nexus 10 that came from Samsung and the Asus-made first Nexus 7 that hit the market roughly three years ago. As consolation, though, Google will still provide security updates for the two tablets until early 2016 while the Nexus 4 has already completed its 18-month security patch cycle.

It remains unclear if the Nexus 7 2013, put together as well by Asus, will chew in MNC. The device is mentioned for a software jump this summer but the update is more likely another Lollipop variant. Android M is said to arrive around September. What is clear, however, is the second Nexus 7 tablet will continue to receive security updates through the second half of 2016.

Nexus 2015 And 2014 Versions

As for the Nexus 2015, getting Android M is a given and the device stands to absorb three more major Android builds if the two-year system update cycle will hold. Also, would-be Nexus 2015 users get the assurance of security updates until 2018.

The soon-to-arrive Android will likewise bump up the Nexus 5 and 6, including the 9-inch Nexus 9 from HTC. For these three vanilla Android devices, Google’s software update policy will apply.

The 2015 Google I/O kicks off May 28 and the tech giant is expected to confirm the details that were discussed above. Clues on the company’s Nexus 2015 release date plans are also likely to be provided.