Android L 5.0 Eligible And Ineligible Devices: Nexus Gadgets, Google Play Edition And Android One
Android 5.0 L is an exclusive update among mobile devices under Google such as Nexus, Google Play Edition and the upcoming Android One. Find out which models are eligible and what features are included on the new firmware.
Nexus Devices
Rumoured Motorola Nexus 6 or Nexus X will run Android 5.0 L as its factory OS; the device is expected to be released around October 2014. HTC Nexus 9 is another device to run Android 5.0 and is expected to be released on the third quarter of 2014. Check out the status of Nexus devices listed below regarding eligibility based on the 18-month software support:
- LG Nexus 5: Eligible for Android L update
- LG Nexus 4: Ended its life cycle in May 2014
- ASUS Nexus 7 2013: Eligible Android L update with end of life cycle on 2015
- ASUS Nexus 7 2012: Ended its life cycle in January 2014
- Samsung Nexus 10: Ended its life cycle in May 2014
Other Nexus devices such as Galaxy Nexus and Galaxy Nexus S have been removed from Android KitKat support which also means no Android L update. However, users can expect upgrades using customised ROMs if third-party developers decide to release a version.
Google Play Edition
Google Play Edition devices are very similar to Nexus models due to the unmodified user interface of Android. However, these gadgets are made based on models released by brand manufacturers. Google rolls out new firmware versions for these devices directly instead of delivering them through network carriers.
1. Samsung Galaxy S4 is still eligible for Android L until December 2014.
2. HTC One M7 is still eligible for another major update until November 2014.
3. Sony Xperia Z Ultra is still eligible for Android 5.0 until the second quarter of 2015.
4. Moto G was released in January 2014 and is expected to receive Android L until next year.
5. HTC One M8 is also eligible for the next generation Android OS until 2015.
6. LG G Pad 8.3 is eligible for Android L until the second quarter of 2015.
Android One Devices
According to the official Web site, any released Android One device will run Android 4.4 KitKat as the factory OS with exclusive software upgrades to new releases from Google. New software releases for Android One devices are also supported within the next two years. Here are some details on what Android 5.0 L can offer to an Android smartphone or tablet:
- New user interface called Material Design applied across multiple apps and services
- New default runtime called Android Runtime, in addition to Dalvik runtime
- Enhancements on the notifications and syncing with non-handheld devices
- Energy efficiency upgrade and more control over resource usage via Project Volta