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Report claims not all Nexus devices will get Android 5.0 Lollipop as quickly as you’d like

Published Oct 17th, 2014 7:45AM EDT
Android 5.0 Lollipop Release Date and Download
Image: Google Inc.

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Google finally announced Android 5.0 Lollipop earlier this week alongside new Nexus-branded devices, but the company did not actually say when the Lollipop update will be available to download. All Google said was that a new Lollipop preview version will be made available to developers on October 17th, with the final release supposed to hit in the coming weeks. The company also confirmed that all 2012 and 2013 Nexus devices will be updated to Lollipop, including the Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (both generations), and Nexus 10, but it looks like the update won’t be released at the same time for all supported smartphones and tablets.

Sources familiar with Google’s plans told Android Police that only Wi-Fi devices will get Lollipop at first — the Nexus 7 (2012), Nexus 7 (2013) and Nexus 10 — with cellular versions, including Nexus 4, Nexus 5, and LTE Nexus 7 supposed to receive the update at a later date.

“Starting later this week, we will make the SDK and system images for Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 of Android 5.0 Lollipop available on developer.android.com. On November 3rd, we will begin rolling out Android 5.0 Lollipop to Nexus 7 (Wi-Fi) and Nexus 10 via an OTA [over-the-air update], and it will continue to roll out to Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 7 (LTE) later that month,” a screenshot provided by the publication reads.

Google did not explain why cellular versions of Nexus devices need more time to receive the update.

The Nexus 9 is also supposed to launch on November 3rd, with Android 5.0 Lollipop preloaded.

Meanwhile, several Android device makers have announced Lollipop update plans, including Motorola, HTC and Sony, though non-Nexus devices will take even longer to get Android 5.0.

Chris Smith Senior Writer

Chris Smith has been covering consumer electronics ever since the iPhone revolutionized the industry in 2008. When he’s not writing about the most recent tech news for BGR, he brings his entertainment expertise to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and other blockbuster franchises.

Outside of work, you’ll catch him streaming almost every new movie and TV show release as soon as it's available.