Weekly poll: How long should phones get OS updates?

04 February 2018
Most brands do not have a clear update policy, but usually the last update comes a year or two after the phone is unveiled.

Sort by:

Anonymous, 04 Feb 2018My opinion using examples Low ends = 8.0 out of box, t... moreI agree. (I imagine a pen- features phone running a stock android and I can't stop laughing.
I mean. sure. Android one project is a blessed one. but allow some functionality like the note series? or other stuff? XD)

    Anonymous, 05 Feb 2018No problemo root Ur phone after updates stop Not everyone are geekies. and most of the people use android for basic usage. (texting, facebook, and light gaming. like solitaire) don't assume everyone who has android knows how to search, find, and not to mention ROOT or SWAP a rom for their devices!
    (I myself know how. but don't bother because I'll swap to the S9 soon anyways)

      Anonymous, 05 Feb 2018no problem for you geeks, but majority of android users are... moreI agree. so true!

        Rex Tech, 05 Feb 2018So you are trashing people that want the newest out there a... moreWell said!

          Rex Tech, 05 Feb 2018Don't waste your time and effort to fight off the troll.He ... moreHeh. thanks. I'll try to rememer that. ^^

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • tDP
            • 05 Feb 2018

            see. this is the bad side of android phone. why manufacturer can not make a full copy of Apple? not just copying hardware design or make a similar UI, but an upgrade for new OS and security patch. with the high price of Apple product, you will get 4 year of OS upgrade support and also security patch. but i cant believe Samsung HTC or even Google support our/their product for 3/4 year.

              3 yrs minimum.

              Another 1 yr the buyer can manage without the updates before he upgrades. So in total 4 years before he finally buys the new hardware is more than enough I guess.

                Kiyasuriin, 05 Feb 2018I agree up to an extent. Imperator. and I'll explain why.... moreDon't waste your time and effort to fight off the troll.He owns Samsung S8,Note 4 and Note 8 judging by his reaction to people's comments and he claims he owns them.He claims he is satisfied with the old Nokia E7 but he owns the newest and bestest and wants it but he will trash others that want the same.He is one of those kids that owns a ferrari but hates others that do too or want one.
                You wrote amazing example and i respect that.But i suggest you save your time against trolls like this guy and focus on better and more educational things :)

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • PA7
                  • 05 Feb 2018

                  AnonD-373654, 05 Feb 2018I buy iphones for this reason only.. People are still buyin... moreYeah, long support is the one and only best thing on iphone

                    Imperator Neubaticus, 05 Feb 2018you all reflect the wasteful habits of millennials. so your... moreSo you are trashing people that want the newest out there and like their phone to be security patched with new protections and everything and you even mention you are satisfied with an old Nokia phone but in one of your comments you mention you own a Samsung Note8. You even mentioned you own a Note 4.So you own 2 flagship level phones or you lie to comments to downgrade people.
                    You hate new updates and newest OS but you own the newest phone ? Your phone will get the newest OS as well and you will update right away but also in the same time trash people that also will get the newest OS or want one ? And then because you are ignorant you will lie you own an old phone ? For what purpose ?

                    Talk about ignorance,hypocrisy and new born kids idealism to trash people and hating people for wanting the same thing you do.
                    Do me a favor and stop spamming your mental idealism considering yourself an intelectual person but in fact just an new born non educated spoiled kid that trashes people for no reason.

                      • D
                      • AnonD-373654
                      • te3
                      • 05 Feb 2018

                      I buy iphones for this reason only.. People are still buying iphone 5s in 2018 as a secondary phone just because apple is supporting it software wise. No other brands comes near

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • 7XY
                        • 05 Feb 2018

                        Anonymous, 05 Feb 2018No problemo root Ur phone after updates stop no problem for you geeks, but majority of android users are ordinary people, who does not know how to download a custom rom, choose a STABLE one or install it for that matter. don't assume that all android users has the time to search, download and install a STABLE custom rom

                          2 years of support on low to mid range & 3 years on flagships, seem only fair because the price your now paying for these flagship phones.



                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • tAP
                            • 05 Feb 2018

                            No problemo root Ur phone after updates stop

                              • D
                              • AnonD-625020
                              • 6Px
                              • 05 Feb 2018

                              for those who get their devices on contract, 2 years policy seems fair as they can switch device after contract and get the new device on a very meager amount. but for those who have to pay in cash for a device and that too in one go, two years seems very less. on top of that, most of the carriers delay the update to hell due to absence of a clear update policy. for e.g. I have a mate 9, on which I am still on November security update and in most of the regions people have received december, january and now Oreo update.

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • teq
                                • 05 Feb 2018

                                Aravind, 05 Feb 2018There are people who are actually voting 1 and 2 years? Are... moreAre you willing to work for 4 or more years for one year salary? Be reasonably.

                                  Imperator Neubaticus, 05 Feb 2018you all reflect the wasteful habits of millennials. so your... moreI agree up to an extent. Imperator.
                                  and I'll explain why. (on myself):
                                  1. I know I am a power hungry girl. I prefer the best specs because I know what I am doing with my phone. and the tasks I do with them demands high end. that's hardware wise. secondly. about Software. I am a patient girl. I can wait quite a lot of time until the update arrives. and even if it doesn't. atleast I want to know I am safe from the latest exploits discovered recently. (Meltdown and Spectre for example) I am not an impudent and whiny girl that wants the pleasures of nexus/pixel of having the update from google directly (It would've been nice though. but that's just fantasy knowing reality)
                                  2. It doesn't make such a fuss, funnily enough. have you ever felt envy? many has. some people (including me) kind of feel envious that others got an update and others didn't. but as I said in the first reason. I don't really mind if I have the latest update. as long I know the device I have is fairly safe. or atleast somewhat protected against the threats.
                                  3. I still have an oldie S8300 UltraTouch that I use from time to time. It's an 8 years old device that runs a featurephone OS of some sorts. and I swap to that babe when I don't need that power. so all in all it's the same as your case with the nokia E7 (one of the best phones imo. too bad I didn't purchase one back then.)
                                  4. you need to remember it's a poll. and EVERYONE in this world are humans. they ask for an opinion. and people can answer their opinion. I don't believe you are any different as race. (Unless you're an elf? or an angel? or other extraterrestial race?)
                                  suming up: The first 3 answered about my own preferences. remember. if any other person would've go this extensive as myself. you might get different answers entirely. so each for their case.

                                    • A
                                    • Aravind
                                    • YQ8
                                    • 05 Feb 2018

                                    There are people who are actually voting 1 and 2 years? Are you kidding me? I'm sure they are not buying the phones with their own hard-earned money...

                                      I prefer the longer. the better. about 5 years will do. (if not OS wise, atleast patches. ^^;)
                                      I KNOW that the OS updates slow down the phone due to features, bloatware slamming, (but sometimes removing) but I paid over 700$ for a flagship phone. I deserve to get a super long support for updates. one thing I request though. (for the OEMs)
                                      Please do not worsen battery life. ;w;

                                        OS update will make your old phone lags.

                                        I have HTC One M8 (2014) running Lollipop it's feel heavy after every few days and the cache must be cleared regularly.... wouldn't dare to upgraded to android M altough it have OTA official...

                                        Also have Motorola Droid maxx (2013) running Kitkat now and it's so smooth with no lags, running every games played seamlessly

                                        Basic rule is never upgrade your old phone, it would mostly lags.
                                        Back then, every official update weighs around 500-600MB, but now Nougat or Oreo update is about 1.5GB big! It so heavy for old phones...

                                        My daily driver HTC 10 (originally came with Marshmallow) has had two OS updates: Nougat, and Oreo recently... Both updates worsen battery life by margin, but doesn't slow down the phone because fortunately it has powerful flagship CPU.

                                        My advice is don't be too excited when update notif hits your phone. It maybe better off with it's origin OS than with the new OS...

                                        Such is with Android I learn... A different case altogether when your phone is Google Pixel or you are on iOS

                                          2 of 7