You may have seen reports recently suggesting that the Galaxy S6 Android 8.0 Oreo update could be released next month. Those who are familiar with how Android platform updates work know better not to hold their breath because it's highly unlikely that Samsung is even working on Oreo for the Galaxy S6.
Samsung launched its beta program for the Galaxy S8 Android 8.0 Oreo update late last year and it's expected to release the update for all users by the end of this month. The Galaxy Note 8 will likely get Oreo after that before it trickles down to other compatible devices.
Galaxy S6 Android 8.0 Oreo update
The reports about the Galaxy S6 Android 8.0 Oreo update are based on a conversation that a user had with Samsung Support. We've pointed out time and again that support reps are notoriously misinformed when it comes to firmware update matters. It's not like this is the first time we've heard about this possibility. Another Samsung rep claimed just two months ago that the Galaxy S6 will be updated to Android 8.0 Oreo.
The Galaxy S6 was announced on March 1, 2015 and it came with Android 5.0.2 Lollipop out of the box. It received the first major platform update – Android 6.0 Marshmallow – on February 15, 2016 and was subsequently updated to Android 7.0 Nougat on March 9, 2017.
Android OEMs generally support their devices for only two major platform updates both of which the Galaxy S6 has already received. Samsung has said nothing to suggest that it's changing this policy even though it has recently been rolling out security updates for older flagships before the latest ones.
As it stands, there's no reason to believe that the Galaxy S6 Android 8.0 Oreo update will be out next month or at all for that matter, that is unless Samsung makes this significant policy change official. It's not entirely impossible but you'd be better off not holding your breath for it.
Do you think there's a chance that Samsung could make this policy change or that it would be in its best interests to do so? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.
