Although Google is expected to roll out its new Android Nougat platform to third-party devices before 2016 ends, it is still unclear what the schedule will be. Speculations suggest that the Sony Xperia lineup may be the first ones to receive the update, as leaks on Sony Mobile's update roadmap surface online.
According to XperiaBlog, a supposed presentation slide has reportedly been leaked online. Interestingly, the said document showcases Sony Mobile's schedule for an Android Nougat update. If the slide will be officially confirmed, then the first Sony Xperia lineups to receive the new Android platform will be the new flagship series.
In the leaked presentation image, it is highlighted that the first to receive the Android Nougat 7.0 version is the Sony Xperia X lineups. The entire series update is split into two parts. The first to receive the new update will be the top-tier flagship Xperia X Performance and the Xperia XZ iteration, on which the slide lists a schedule of "around October." The second part of the flagship update will immediately roll out the month after, since the base model, Xperia X, as well as the Xperia X Compact, have been listed for a November release.
Meanwhile, the rest of the update roadmap will continue with the previous-generation Xperia Z5 series, and the Z3+ and Z4 Tablet receiving their Android Nougat updates come December. The updates will continue in early 2017 with the Xperia XA and Xperia Ultra.
Starting an Android Nougat update by next month for third-party devices seems likely since it is already confirmed that Google is already finishing up its rollout for its own Nexus devices. Meanwhile, third-party flagships like the LG V20 already have Android Nougat right out of their boxes.
Nonetheless, although the slide seemingly confirms Sony Mobile's update roadmap, it is unclear if this will be the entire update schedule. Should this be the case, then the Android Nougat 7.0 update will stop with the Xperia Z3+, with Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z2 only upgradeable to Android Marshmallow. The Xperia Z1, on the other hand, had its platform update stopped at Android 5.1 Lollipop.
