Android Lollipop for Zenfone 5: Asus sets new timeline for rollout, OS update could begin seeding from India

Taiwan-based Asus which in April 2015 had confirmed that it would release Android 5.0 (Lollipop) OS update to users of its Zenfone 4, Zenfone 5 and Zenfone 6 smartphones during mid-May retracted from this commitment and instead announced a delay in seeding Lollipop citing technical issues.

The company had earlier refused to reveal the new timeline to roll out Android Lollipop to owners of Zenfone 4, Zenfone 5 and Zenfone 6.

Now, in a new development, the Taiwan-based technology brand has announced a potential timeline during which users of the Zenfone 5 (specifically) can check out for the Lollipop OS update.

Asus India, while replying to a query by a Zenfone 5 user, via a Facebook post, states that the Android Lollipop firmware upgrade will be released in the next three to four months and not before that, thus hinting at a long wait for Zenfone 5 users across the world.

With the Indian arm of Asus having made official the potential Lollipop rollout timeline, the OS update is expected to begin seeding to Zenfone 5 users in India initially and gradually spread to owners of Asus Zenfone 5 handsets in other parts of the world.

"We regret the inconvenience caused to you," states Asus, in its official Facebook reply.

Frustrated Zenfone users

However, Zenfone users do not seem to have taken Asus' Lollipop rollout timeline kindly, a fact evident by user comments on Facebook.

It is worth noting that the LTE edition of Asus Zenfone 5 bearing model number A500KL was seeded Android Lollipop during the first week of May, post which there has been no firmware upgrades rolled out by Asus.

With Asus having announced that it would seed Lollipop within the next 3-4 months, it would nearly be August-September by the time Android Lollipop completes rolling out to all Zenfone 4, Zenfone 5 and Zenfone 6 smartphones across the world.

However, there could be a change in strategy by Asus at any point of time during the next three to four months, hence users of Zenfone 5 can conduct regular checks and let us know if the Android Lollipop OS update is available.