14 DAY TRIAL // Google released the stable version of Android 7.0 Nougat just a few days ago and some Nexus smartphones should already be receiving the update. Many were disappointed to see that Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 smartphones won't be able to update to the new version and it seems that Qualcomm is to blame.
The information was provided by leakster LabTooFeR which revealed that many smartphones released in 2014 and earlier won't receive updates to Android 7.0 Nougat because of Qualcomm. Apparently, the processor maker won't be releasing updates to Snapdragon 800 and 801 graphics drivers.
These two processors power devices from 2014, many of which are flagships. Nexus 5 is powered by Snapdragon 800 and this might be the reason why it wasn't included on the list of Nexus smartphones that would receive updates to the latest Google OS.
If the rumor is true, then many other smartphones won't receive the update, not just Nexus 5. Some of these smartphones are HTC One M8, Sony Xperia Z3, Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and LG G3. However, considering that Snapdragon 800 and 801 were very popular in that period of time, the list could include even more smartphones.
Many of the smartphones have reached their support period
Still, we must be frank that many of such devices have surpassed their promised support period and thus they don't represent a priority for updating to a new OS version. Still, many of such smartphones are capable of handling the new Android 7.0 Nougat, including the Nexus 5 and Nexus 7.
Even if Qualcomm did decide to update the graphics drivers on the chips, there wouldn't be any guarantee that the smartphone manufacturers would actually support the update. Whatever the reason, it seems that many devices manufactured in 2014 and even some from 2015, like OnePlus X and ZTE Axon won't be receiving the update.