OK, let's be real – do Android updates matter that much to you?

40comments

Android has always been scrutinized for the major issue of slow updates. Sure, Google pushes out the latest Android build to its Nexus and Pixel phones quite fast, but 3rd party manufacturers get left in the dust, trying to make their custom UI play nice with the new OS, then pushing the update to carriers who have to give it the final greenlight before distribution to the users.

But let's slow down and think about this for a second. Samsung and LG have long had their custom interfaces on top of Google's OS and they both look radically different to the vanilla Android. On top of that, features like multi-view (split screen), fingerprint scanner support, and battery-saving were present on many 3rd party skins before Google made them native to the OS.

So, if you are a Samsung user, for example, the only thing you gained, feature-wise, in the past 2 years were two facelifts of the operating system. Everything else is still there as it was before, simply because it was there before Google implemented it.

Recommended For You

We thought we'd ask you — does it really matter if you are on the latest Android? Do keep in mind, that we are not talking about the security updates here. These should be regular, on time, and hit every contemporary device, there's no arguing that point.

Does it matter if you have the latest Android update?

Yes! Granted, I am on a vanilla or close-to-vanilla device
33.83%
Yes! Even if I am on a heavily-skinned device
39.8%
Nope, as long as I have the latest features
26.37%

Holiday special: Iconic Phones is now 10% off!

Our new coffee table book, Iconic Phones, is a stunning visual tribute to the legends in the world of phones, featuring exclusive high-resolution photography, stories, quotes and fun trivia. Save 10% by using this code at checkout: XMAS10. Offer lasts until 1 January 2026.
Shop Now
Google News Follow
Follow us on Google News

Recommended For You

COMMENTS (40)

Latest Discussions

by 30zpark • 3
FCC OKs Cingular\'s purchase of AT&T Wireless