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It's been almost 1/2 a year since the launch of the nexus 2015, and a new one is coming. I want to know how often do android phones get supported with software updates until it becomes obsolete. It will ultimately decided if I should wait for this years model or buy last year's.
What version of Android did each phone in the Nexus line-up stop receiving updates?
Here is all the info, ordered by release date:
Device Launch Version Final Version Lifespan
Nexus One 2.1 Eclair 2.3 Gingerbread 1y 1m
Nexus S 2.3.6 Gingerbread 4.1.2 Jelly Bean 0y 8m
Galaxy Nexus 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich 4.3 Jelly Bean 1y 7m
Nexus 4 4.2.2 Jelly Bean 5.1.1 Lollipop 2y 6m
Nexus 7 (2012) 4.1.2 Jelly Bean 5.1.1 Lollipop 2y 8m
Nexus 10 4.2.2 Jelly Bean 5.1.1 Lollipop 2y 4m
Nexus 7 (2013) 4.3 Jelly Bean current* N/A: Launched 2013-07
Nexus 5 4.4 Kit Kat current* N/A: Launched 2013-10
Nexus 6 5.0 Lollipop current* N/A: Launched 2014-11
Nexus 9 5.0 Lollipop current* N/A: Launched 2014-11
Nexus Player 5.0 Lollipop current* N/A: Launched 2014-11
Nexus 5X 6.0.0 Marshmallow current* N/A: Launched 2015-09
Nexus 6P 6.0.0 Marshmallow current* N/A: Launched 2015-09
Pixel C 6.0.1 Marshmallow current* N/A: Launched 2015-12
*current version is 6.0.1 Marshmallow
So starting with the Nexus 4, devices have averaged 2.5 years between their release and final update. You should add on a few months to account for the fact that there was some time between their final updates and when that version was actually obsoleted by the next. And the 5 and 7(2013) have passed that mark, though they will probably not get Android N.
Sources:
According to Google, 2 years.
Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus 6, Nexus 5, Nexus 4, Nexus 7, Nexus 9, and Nexus 10 devices get the latest version of Android directly from Google. These devices will receive Android version updates for at least two years from when the device first became available on the Google Store.
And as far as what Nexus device got what versions, that information is easy to find online. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Nexus
