Android 7.0 Nougat Status Update For Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, S6, S6 Edge, Note 5, And Tab S2

After releasing the Android 7.0 Nougat beta update for Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge owners who signed up for the Galaxy Beta Program, the South Korean tech conglomerate seems to be picking up the pace as it has reportedly started working on the development of the latest Google firmware for other Galaxy devices.

Good news for Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge users in China: the Galaxy Beta Program is now available in the country. Already rolled out to registered testers located in South Korea, U.S., and the U.K., Chinese owners of the 2016 Samsung flagship devices who wish to test out Google’s Android 7.0 Nougat update can already do so by applying for the beta program, according to GSM Arena’s post.

https://youtu.be/GKdpHIycKb8

While the first build version of Android 7.0 Nougat beta update is now being released to Samsung Galaxy S7 lineup in China, Europe, on the other hand, is already getting the second test build for the latest Android iteration. It does not come with huge changes, though, as only minor bug fixes were discovered from the newest Nougat beta build, Phandroid reported.

To be able to register for the beta program, a Galaxy S7 or S7 Edge owner needs to have an active Samsung account. After the application, make sure to download the Galaxy Beta Program app via the Samsung Members app or the Galaxy Apps. Take note, as well, that the Android Nougat beta update is not compatible with special edition models such as the Olympic Games Limited Edition and Injustice Edition, a previous Inquisitr report noted.

Since the Android 7.0 Nougat update for Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge is still in beta testing, it is only natural to expect performance issues and stability concerns during the process. One of the biggest known problems, so far, is that those with Samsung Gear VR cannot use their headset with their device. Explaining the problem, a post from VR Heads noted the following.

“Basically, your Oculus app hasn’t been updated to support the newer version of Android on your phone. When the app on your phone tries to connect to the Oculus Store, the error you’re seeing stops the rest of the virtual environment from loading. There’s no way around this right now, and because Samsung’s Beta Program is not yet performance optimized it’s unlikely we’ll see an Oculus Services update to address this in the immediate future.”

Unfortunately, the beta program offers no solution for the problem yet. If you want to continue using the Samsung Gear VR, the only way to do so is to go back to the latest stable version of the Samsung firmware, which will entail you first to deregister from the Galaxy Beta program.

Meanwhile, owners of older Samsung Galaxy flagship models will be glad to know that there seems to be development on the status of Android 7.0 Nougat OS for their devices. For instance, Samsung is reportedly working now on the Nougat firmware for Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge models. The initial software version has a build number XXS5DPK7, as reported by Sam Mobile, but one should expect that it will change once the final firmware build rolls out for the 2015 Samsung flag bearers.

In addition to Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, it looks like the Android Nougat update is already in the works for Samsung Galaxy Note 5 and the Galaxy Tab S2, according to a separate post from GSM Arena.

Although Android Nougat firmware development for Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, S6, S6 Edge, Tab S2, and Note 5 is already ongoing, it is unlikely for the final mobile software builds to arrive soon as it may take months for the testing phase to complete. Unfortunately, those who are looking forward receiving the Nougat update before the year ends may be disappointed to know that the prevailing ballpark for the release schedule suggests that Samsung may roll out the latest Android firmware update in 2017, and this applies not only to previous Galaxy models, but also to the newest flagships, the S7 and S7 Edge models.

[Featured Image by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images]