LG G4 to get Android 6.0 Marshmallow next week

Phone manufacturers are already gearing up to update their devices to the latest Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS, as we detailed earlier, but it seems like LG G4 might be the first outside the Nexus lineup to actually receive Google’s latest. LG announced that it will start rolling out the update beginning next week, and that Poland would be the first stop on the list, with other regions such as the US, Asia, and Europe to follow, though LG has not revealed any schedule for it yet. It is a common practice among manufacturers to roll out the update to a limited-size region first, to check for any issues before a worldwide release.

The update will just not be limited to the G4, though; LG has plans to extend it to other smartphones under its wings too.These devices would be the V10, G Flex 2, G3, and G2. LG is expected to release an official schedule for the update roll-out soon. “While speed alone isn’t an indicator of great service, it does go a long way toward giving consumers the confidence that LG is committed to its existing customers first,” LG mobile communication head Chris Yie said in a statement.

At the time of Android 5.0 Lollipop upgrade, LG followed the similar strategy of rolling out the update in Poland first. However, it then took months to finally bring it to users in the US. Even so, it is good to see that at least some Android manufacturers are taking advantage of the Developer Preview to speed up an otherwise lengthy upgrade process.

The Marshmallow update will bring along lots of good features, such as enhanced app control and permissions, battery life improvements (thanks to the ‘Doze’ mode), fingerprint support, and mobile payments. Select Nexus devices have already received the update, which has brought in the much-awaited ’Now on Tap’ feature to the platform. The new feature is a revamped version of the Google Now. Talking about Now on Tap, Google’s Vice President of Android Product Management Brian Rakowski said in a blog post, “[it] stays on task alongside you, instantly pulling up relevant info and helping you get more done.”

Other manufacturers, including Sony, Motorola, and HTC, have also announced the Marshmallow update for their own devices, although no one has announced any set timeline for the roll-out. It is not always the case that LG takes the lead in rolling out updates timely, but it’s worth noting it did so at the time of Android 5.0 Lollipop update, too. So who’s next? After LG’s announcement, we are hoping — nay, expecting — other manufacturers to cough up some news too.