14 DAY TRIAL // Many handset makers have already announced which of their devices will be upgraded to Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system, but information about release dates has yet to be revealed.
Usually, when an Android OEM pushes a major software update, it's available on unlocked smartphones first. The availability of a new update for a carrier-branded handset depends very much on that carrier, but also on the country.
T-Mobile, one of the major carriers in the United States, recently published a list of devices that will soon receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow updates.
The Magenta carrier has also confirmed that some of these devices have already received the said update while many others are waiting for T-Mobile to test it.
There are three stages that each update needs to pass in order to be pushed to an Android smartphone or tablet: Manufacturer Development, T-Mobile Testing and Completed.
The update is in incipient stages for most of these devices
In the Manufacturer Development stage, the device manufacturer works with T-Mobile to customize the software, including changes for that device's hardware, the T-Mobile wireless radios, and applications.
Then, the software update is tested by T-Mobile's engineers and given the green light to be released to customers if everything goes well.
The following smartphones and tablets have been confirmed to receive (or have already received) Android 6.0 Marshmallow update:
HTC One M8, HTC One M9, LG G3, LG G4, LG G Stylo, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9, Samsung Galaxy Note 4, Samsung Galaxy Note 5, Samsung Galaxy Note edge, Samsung Galaxy S5, Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge+ and Samsung Galaxy Tab S2.
Details on Android 6.0 Marshmallow availability for these devices will be shared in the coming weeks, but at least T-Mobile customers know whether or not their phones/tablets will get the update.