Nexus devices are typically set to receive new Android updates within two weeks, but now they depend on carrier as well and may consequently take longer.
Some of the most avid Android fans prefer Nexus devices for the experience they bring to the table. Nexus devices not only sport a pure, stock version of Android, unadulterated by manufacturer bloatware, but they are also the first in line to receive new updates as soon as they become available.
The whole purpose of the Nexus lineup was to offer a direct connection with Android as Google made it, without the customizations and user interfaces manufacturers slap on top of it, and get it sooner than other devices. So far, supported Nexus devices were set to receive new Android updates within two weeks of release, but things now seem to be slightly different.
As Android Police first pointed out, the process is not quite as straightforward anymore. More specifically, Google will still release updates to eligible Nexus devices within two weeks, but from there on it may take longer for the update to actually reach a device because it will depend on carriers.
"Nexus 4, Nexus 5, Nexus 6, Nexus 7, Nexus 9, and Nexus 10 devices receive the latest version of Android directly from Google. Once an update is available, it can take up to two weeks for it to reach your device. Based on your carrier, it may take longer than two weeks after release to get an update," Google explains on its support pages.
The same goes for Google Play Edition (GPE) devices, as they will also depend on carriers to receive the latest updates. Both Nexus and GPE devices are supported for 18 months since their release, after which they will no longer receive updates.
It's worth pointing out, however, that although update rollouts will depend on carriers, Nexus users still have other options to get the latest firmware without waiting for an OTA. On the other hand, average users usually prefer for the update to roll out over-the-air instead of installing it themselves.
It remains to be seen just how things will go down from now on, as some carriers are notorious for delaying updates.
