Samsung Galaxy J7 2016 users can finally have something to smile about. The entry-level phone is now receiving Android 7.0 Nougat, a year after the OS was made official by Google.
While we can sit around and start criticizing Samsung for the delayed update, we also have the option to appreciate that this is happening. Samsung is not famous for rolling out major software updates to entry-level phones in the Galaxy J series, but things have really turned out great for the Galaxy J7 2016.
I’m pretty sure lots of people in Kenya are using Samsung Galaxy J7 2016 model, especially since the 2017 variant is still very fresh on the market. If you are one of them, don’t be too excited about this development, at least for now. Apparently, the update has only been confirmed for the Russian market, which suggests that it will be rolled out in phases.
Nonetheless, the fact that Android 7.0 Nougat is now rolling out to the Galaxy J7 2016 in Russia is enough to confirm that other markets will be joining the party really soon. Being a major OS update, be ready to download a file size that is close to 1GB. The current version rolling out carries firmware number J710FXXU3BQHA and it also installs the latest security update for the month of August and an updated Samsung Experience 8.1 skin, which came preinstalled on the Galaxy S8 and S8+ (the Galaxy Note 8 has v8.5).
If your Samsung Galaxy J7 2016 has model number SM-J710F, feel free to do a manual check for the availability of the OS via Settings>About phone, otherwise, sit back and wait for the OTA notification to download and install the OS.
The same update is also rolling out to the 2015 Samsung Galaxy S5 Neo. This is a newer variant of the original Galaxy S5 that was released in 2014 and in fact, it’s possible that not so many people own this phone here in Kenya. Nonetheless, for those who have it, note that it isn’t small in size either and it comes carrying firmware version G903WVLU1COH4.
The model number SM-G903W is an indicator that the OS is currently rolling out in Canada, but it shouldn’t be long before all other variants of the Galaxy S5 Neo start getting the update to Android 7.0 Nougat.
While both Samsung Galaxy J7 2016 and Galaxy S5 Neo are already receiving the Nougat treat, those on the Galaxy J5 Prime might have to wait a little longer. Yes, you read it right. The Galaxy J5 Prime will also be updated to Nougat, but the exact date that this will happen is still known only to Samsung.
The phone has made a stop at the Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) with Android 7.0 Nougat running the show, an indicator that the organization has certified the release of the OS to the device. Usually, this should mean that the Galaxy J5 Prime will be in the waiting room for a few more weeks before the OS finally rolls out.
Multiple variants of the J5 Prime have been cleared by the WFA, among them SM-G570F, SM-G570F/DS, SM-G570F/DD, SM-G570M, SM-G570M/DS and SM-G570Y. You can check your phone’s model number in Settings>About phone to see if yours has been verified for the update.
Meanwhile, which version of Android are you using on your phone? Let us know in your comments below.
