The Android 5.0 update release: which smartphones will get Lollipop and when

The launch of a major software update is an exciting event for any smartphone geek. Updates patch bugs and bring goodies of all sorts, including visual and functional improvements. But an update's release can be annoying in that it always takes time for the software to arrive. And sometimes, the wait is a lengthy one – it has been six months since Google previewed Android L, which subsequently became Android 5.0 Lollipop, and the update has yet to land on most popular smartphones out there. 

Still, it should be easier to cope with the wait when you know how long you'll be waiting for. That's why we combed the web in search of official and trustworthy information on the matter. Here's when the popular Android smartphones are going to get their Lollipop updates. Keep in mind that we'll be updating the post if/when new information becomes available.

Samsung Galaxy S5 – Android 5.0 Lollipop for the smartphone is already available in a number of markets worldwide, including South Korea, Russia, Malaysia, as well as parts of central and Western Europe. Galaxy S5 owners in the U.S., however, still have Android 4.4.x KitKat running on their handsets. The AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile variants of the smartphone are probably going to get the new software in the coming weeks, although that's just an assumption. 

UPDATE: The Android 5.0 update is now available to Galaxy S5 owners in the U.K. Users can update via Kies, or wait for a few more days until the software is pushed over the air. The Exynos model of the device, as well as some U.S. variants are also receiving the update.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 – While official information on the Android 5.0 update for the Galaxy Note 4 is scarce, rumor has it that the new software should start rolling out before January is out. U.S. carriers are also expected to launch Lollipop on the Galaxy Note 4 within this time frame. Interestingly, Samsung is said to be skipping the 5.0 version of the OS and will update the Galaxy Note 4 straight to Android 5.0.1, which brings along a number of bug fixes.

UPDATE: Samsung has published an updated version of the Note 4 user manual on its website. The new document covers changes coming with Android 5.0 Lollipop, including alterations of the interface. We see this as a hint pointing at an Android 5.0 update in the very, very near future.

Samsung Galaxy S4 – Samsung has confirmed that the Galaxy S4 will get its Lollipop treat, and we've already had the chance to see what the new software should look like. However, we're not exactly sure when the update is going to land on the non-GPe versions of the handset. 

UPDATE: The new software is available in some parts of the world already. If your Galaxy S4 has not been updated yet, it should get its treat pretty soon.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 – Unofficial Lollipop ROMs for the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 have been floating around, but an official update is still nowhere to be found at this point. At least we know that an update to Android 5.0 is definitely in the works and will come sooner or later, most likely after the company's newer phones have been updated. 

Furthermore, Samsung is planning on pushing out Android 5.0 Lollipop updates to the Galaxy Note Edge, Galaxy Alpha, Galaxy S5 Active, Galaxy S5 Mini, and the Galaxy Note II. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4 and Galaxy Tab S 10.5 are expected to be updated by mid-April. 

LG G3 – LG was quick to bring the Android 5.0 Lollipop update to its flagship smartphone; the software has been out since November. Its availability, however, is still limited. So far, we have reports of the update launching in South Korea and select parts of Europe, including Poland and the Nordic countries. Vodafone subscribers in the U.K. have been reached by the update as well, reportedly.

UPDATE: The new software is now available in a broader list of markets. Sprint is likely to update its G3 model by mid-February.

LG G2– The good news is that LG's former flagship, the LG G2, will surely be updated to Android 5.0. Unfortunately, we don't have any specifics as to when the software might launch. What we know is that the Lollipop update will reach the G2 soon after it rolls out to the G3 globally. The new software is expected to update the G2's UI by bringing the skin currently present on the G3, along with some or all of its perks. 

Another smartphone we're expecting to get Android 5.0 is the LG G Pro 2, but its maker has not announced any update plans yet. Likewise, there's no word on whether any recent mid-range Android smartphone by LG will get the Lollipop treat.

UPDATE: The LG G Pro 2 is now being updated to Android 5.0, starting with units sold in Korea.

HTC One (M8) – Android 5.0 Lollipop was expected to arrive on the One (M8) by January 3, but that didn't quite happen, obviously. Word on the street has it that the software is actually bound to roll out within 1 to 2 weeks, although we're assuming that U.S. carriers may take longer to push the update to their subscribers. 

Lollipop will not bring a new version of HTC Sense, as thought at first. Or at least that's what the latest leaks indicate. Of course, this doesn't rule out the possibility of seeing a Sense 7.0 interface update launched in the future.

UPDATE: Android 5.0 Lollipop is now rolling out to the One (M8) worldwide. Also, the Sprint variant of the One (M8) is likely to get the update by mid-February. The T-Mobile version of the phone should be updated in a matter of days.

HTC One (M7) –  HTC's former flagship is also in line for an update, but your guess as to when the software might start rolling out is as good as ours. It seems safe to assume that the HTC One will be updated soon after the One (M8) gets the Lollipop update.

UPDATE: The phone is already being updated worldwide. U.S. carriers have also started rolling out the new software.

In addition, the Android 5.0 Lollipop update is likely to be released for smartphones covered by the HTC Advantage program. These include the HTC One (E8), One Mini 2 (also known as the HTC Remix on Verizon), One Max, and the One Mini. Older devices will take longer to update, we assume.

UPDATE: Reports are coming in about the HTC One (M8), including its developer version, and the HTC One (M7) already receiving their dose of Lollipop. This does not seem to include U.S. carrier variants of the device, however.

UPDATE #2: According to a leaked roadmap, Android 5.0 will also be released for the following handsets: HTC Desire EYE, HTC One M8 EYE, HTC Butterfly 2, HTC Desire 816, HTC Desire 820, HTC Desire 610, and HTC Desire 510. Lower-end phones will take longer to update – the new software might not reach them until the second half of 2015.

Motorola Moto G (2014) – The Moto G (2014) was one of the first non-Nexus devices to receive an update to Android 5.0 Lollipop. That happened back in mid-November, when the software launched for both the US and global versions of the device. However, there's still a number of markets where the update has not been given the green light yet. Motorola isn't giving any specific times and dates regarding the software's further release.

Motorola Moto G (2013) – Yup, last year's Moto G is getting updated to Lollipop as well. In fact, there have been reports of Android 5.0 already reaching some Moto G owners, although there appear to be many who are still waiting for their update to arrive. 

Motorola Moto X (2014) – Android 5.0 launched for the handset back in November, when the Pure Edition of the device was served some Lollipop goodness. The Verizon model followed suit several days later.

In addition to these smartphones, Motorola will update the following handsets to Android 5.0 Lollipop: Motorola Droid Ultra, Droid Maxx, Droid Mini, Moto E, and the 2013-edition Motorola Moto X. UPDATE: We've been trying to obtain details regarding the Lollipop update for the Motorola Droid Turbo, but to no avail so far. It will be ready when it's ready, we suppose.

Sony Xperia Z3– First, the good news: the Xperia Z3 will most likely be the first non-GPe Sony smartphone to get the Android 5.0 update. As for the not-so-good news, the new software is going to take about a month more to arrive; Sony is aiming for an early February roll-out.

Sony Xperia Z2 – The Xperia Z2 should get its Lollipop dose soon after the software hits the Xperia Z3. This means we're probably going to see the update launching in February.

Sony Xperia Z1 – There's definitely an Xperia Z1 Android 5.0 update in the works, but, to no surprise, the Z2 and Z3 are being prioritized over the former flagship. If you're an Xperia Z1 owner, you might want to brace yourself with patience.

As for the rest of the Xperia lineup, Sony has confirmed that all of its premium Z-series smartphones and tablets will be updated to Android 5.0 Lollipop. These include the Xperia Z, Xperia ZL, Xperia ZR, Xperia Tablet Z, Xperia Z1S, Xperia Z Ultra, Xperia Z1 Compact, Xperia Z2 Tablet, Xperia Z3v, Xperia Z3 Compact, and Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact.