Samsung is one of the world’s top smartphone manufacturers that we evaluated as mediocre in terms of Android Oreo updates a little while ago, but although the company’s software support hasn’t been as poor as LG or Motorola’s performance, there are plenty of reasons to be disappointed with the overall mobile industry champion.

It’s not only taken way too long for some of the chaebol’s high-end devices to receive official Android 8.0 goodies, as too few Galaxy mid-rangers are powered by Oreo as Android Pie starts spreading its wings.

But if you don’t mind waiting a couple more months, the over-the-air update could be delivered to the ancient (and obviously modest) Galaxy J7 (2016). This would be an especially momentous occasion as Samsung typically settles for a single major Galaxy J-series OS makeover.

It almost goes without saying the 2016 edition of the Galaxy J7 ran Android 6.0 Marshmallow out the box, jumping to 7.0 Nougat about a year back. An Android 8.0 Oreo rollout is now officially scheduled to begin in December, at least in Turkey.

Of course, a lot can still change between now and then, but this is already the second strong indication the update is happening. Even if the deadline ends up slipping from December 2018 to February or March 2019, Samsung Galaxy J7 (2016) owners should be happy to receive this largely unexpected gift. Who knows, maybe the J5 (2016) will score Oreos too, although there’s an important performance gap between the two caused by processor differences (one phone packs a Snapdragon 617, the other a 410).

Samsung Turkey has also added a tentative December 30 release date for Galaxy Tab A 10.1 2016 Oreo updates to its comprehensive timetable, with the S Pen-wielding slate looking at its second big OS promotion as well. Just keep in mind nothing’s set in stone yet.

source: Samsung Turkey via GalaxyClub Netherlands (translated)