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Do you try beta updates on your phone?

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By Preslav Kateliev

Published: Nov 29, 2017, 9:13 AM

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For a while now, it has been customary for device manufacturers to offer public beta builds of their unreleased software to... well, the public. Apple has a running beta program for iOS releases, Sony has had it for the Xperia flagships and their Android builds, and Samsung currently has one running for the Galaxy S8 and Android 8 Oreo, to name a few.

It's a sort of a deal between the manufacturers and the eager early adopters — users get to see and test the newest software before it's even official, but they have to endure some bugs; developers get tons of testing done for free. In other words, it's a win-win.

But it's always a good idea to backup your phone and be mentally ready that something might go terribly wrong and you might have to wipe your device. Some manufacturers even advise users only use a secondary or old unit for testing purposes. But where's the fun in that, right?

So, we thought we'd ask you — how many of you test beta builds of upcoming OS updates on your daily drivers?

Do you test OS beta builds on your main phone?

Yep! Life is an adventure!

43.74%

I've done so in the past, don't do it anymore

12.33%

Nope

28.84%

I would if my manufacturer actually ran beta programs (for my device)

15.09%

1054 Votes

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Preslav, a member of the PhoneArena team since 2014, is a mobile technology enthusiast with a penchant for integrating tech into his hobbies and work. Whether it's writing articles on an iPad Pro, recording band rehearsals with multiple phones, or exploring the potential of mobile gaming through services like GeForce Now and Steam Link, Preslav's approach is hands-on and innovative. His balanced perspective allows him to appreciate both Android and iOS ecosystems, focusing on performance, camera quality, and user experience over brand loyalty.

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Do you try beta updates on your phone?

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