Android 8.1 factory images with January security patch now available for these stock Android models

9. docdevices (Posts: 85; Member since: 10 Oct 2016)

Carriers are responsible for the fragmentation of updates to various Original Equipment Manufacturer smartphones that are locked to their frequencies. Updates are made available to all on an equal timeframe by the Operating System owner. Factory unlocked smartphones get the updates pushed directly to them via the Original Equipment Manufacturer.

14. Venom (Posts: 2526; Member since: 14 Dec 2017)

Original Equipment Manufacturers are also responsible as well given that they sometimes put heavy skins and User Interfaces on top of the Android Operating System for their respective devices thus making timely updates impossible.

15. docdevices (Posts: 85; Member since: 10 Oct 2016)

The carrier bears the bulk of responsibility for smartphones that they carry from Original Equipment Manufacturers. Even if the Original Equipment Manufacturer is ready to release said update, the carrier can, and in most cases, will hold it up for their own testing, of which they take their bloody time with.

18. Venom (Posts: 2526; Member since: 14 Dec 2017)

I'm not saying that the carrier isn't responsible for the delay of Android Operating System updates from either Google or other Original Equipment Manufacturers. Sometimes though the Original Equipment Manufacturers are just as guilty because they like to add custom User Interfaces to the Operating System.

19. docdevices (Posts: 85; Member since: 10 Oct 2016)

I never said that you did say that. Now, if you were referring to factory unlocked smartphones, I would be inclined to agree with you about Original Wquipment Manufacturers and user interfaces. However, since we are referring to smartphones sold specifically by the carriers, I stand by my original point. Carriers are fully responsible for the timetable of updates reaching the smartphones in which they carry once the update has been released to them.

11. TMHKR (Posts: 202; Member since: 08 Dec 2012)

I wouldn't bet on it, manufacturers will do anything in their power to avoid updating their affordable devices