Samsung's Crappy Update Policy.

[Mike Dee]

Like a couple other folks mentioned it's strictly about greed..... the longer Samsung supports their overpriced phones the longer people will keep them. It's all about squeezing every last penny out of you in every way possible :-[ They want you to buy a new phone as often as possible, and they'll do whatever it takes to make that happen. That's why I don't buy Samsung phones ;-)

I won't buy a product from a company I have zero respect for.

While true it seems most OEMs follow this trend. Even Google does it but in their case it's a 3 year cycle.

 

[Rickey Shortt]

Personally, updates are extremely important to me. That goes for both OS and apps. I obviously want the latest security updates, but bug fixes are also very important and I also look forward to and enjoy any new features and performance improvements, as well as just better user experiences. Admittedly, the latter doesn't always work out that way and updates also sometimes introduce new bugs. But on the whole I'd are they are always a net positive.

 

[NOLATechy]

For me it boils down to peace of mind. I have the Pixel 4 XL and I feel fairly confident about doing banking on my phone as I'm on Google Fi with VPN turned on and I have the January update already. I also have the Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablet and the only thing I feel confident about doing on it is playing games. I won't even check my email on that thing. It's basically an expensive toy now. And therein lay he problem. It's not about getting updates to have the latest gestures, or operating system features, it's about "security." These OS updates don't just improve functionality, they improve security. Android 10 has security features built into the OS that Android 9, 8 or earlier don't. Therefore anyone using a phone with Android 9 may be susceptible to firmware/software attacks that someone on Android 10 would not. This is the sole reason I won't buy any other Android device outside of Google's Pixel, because I value those monthly OS and security updates from Google. This is something you just don't get from other OEMs.

 

[Ry]

Well. For me personally. Comparing IOS to Android is like comparing Petrol to Diesel cars. There is no which is better. It depends on the user...

And if im not mistaken, Apple was sued for slowing doen their device with updates a few years back...

And it came out that Apple was throttling as batteries aged but people still think that updates on older iPhones are the only reason they slow down over time.

 

[Ry]

Apple keeps their devices on sale for so long too.

iPhone 8 is the oldest you can buy new from Apple right now.

But you can still get new iPhones 7 from partners like Best Buy.

And you can get new iPhones 6S from prepaid carriers like Metro.

 

[Ry]

This is one of the main reasons why Apple from a support stand point is better. They don't expect every customer to upgrade yearly or even bi-yearly, so they show support for the older phones. Apple does know that it has a strong following so a good portion of their customers will want that new flashy gimmick to get them to trade in/up early. While older models, say 3-4 years old my update then as well. I wish Samsung would commit to a longer life on the Note series, they should see it as a Premium Line and want to show how long one could last. I understand that Android is an open platform so for each carrier it needs to modify software, but if you already have the base software figured out then it should really be that hard to modify for the carries... Or just announce that only the unlocked versions will get a longer software update life due to not having to deal with carrier crap.

It's also how long an SOC is supported by the OS..

 

[Ry]

For me it boils down to peace of mind. I have the Pixel 4 XL and I feel fairly confident about doing banking on my phone as I'm on Google Fi with VPN turned on and I have the January update already. I also have the Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablet and the only thing I feel confident about doing on it is playing games. I won't even check my email on that thing. It's basically an expensive toy now. And therein lay he problem. It's not about getting updates to have the latest gestures, or operating system features, it's about "security." These OS updates don't just improve functionality, they improve security. Android 10 has security features built into the OS that Android 9, 8 or earlier don't. Therefore anyone using a phone with Android 9 may be susceptible to firmware/software attacks that someone on Android 10 would not. This is the sole reason I won't buy any other Android device outside of Google's Pixel, because I value those monthly OS and security updates from Google. This is something you just don't get from other OEMs.

I consider OS updates and security update separate items in the Android world.

It feels "safer" to use an Android device running Oreo with the latest Jan 2020 Security Patch Level than a device running Android 10 on the Dec 2019 Security Patch Level.

 

[Mike Dee]

For me it boils down to peace of mind. I have the Pixel 4 XL and I feel fairly confident about doing banking on my phone as I'm on Google Fi with VPN turned on and I have the January update already. I also have the Samsung Galaxy Tab A tablet and the only thing I feel confident about doing on it is playing games. I won't even check my email on that thing. It's basically an expensive toy now. And therein lay he problem. It's not about getting updates to have the latest gestures, or operating system features, it's about "security." These OS updates don't just improve functionality, they improve security. Android 10 has security features built into the OS that Android 9, 8 or earlier don't. Therefore anyone using a phone with Android 9 may be susceptible to firmware/software attacks that someone on Android 10 would not. This is the sole reason I won't buy any other Android device outside of Google's Pixel, because I value those monthly OS and security updates from Google. This is something you just don't get from other OEMs.

Other OEMs are catching up and doing updates monthly. In fact Samsung has been ahead of Google recently for monthly updates. That's not the OPs concern though. They are concerned that they will only see 2 major OS updates.

 

[NOLATechy]

Exactly my point. The original Pixel and Pixel XL was released in October 2016 and they still received monthly updates up until the January 2020 update where it did not receive that update. That about 3 years of monthly updates.

 

[Pre_n_BluHvn]

I dont necessarily mind only getting two major OS updates, but I am getting a little peeved at AT&T about security updates. My Note 8 is still on Oct. I know thats a carrier issue but seems like Samsung or Google could "lean" on AT&T to do a little better than that.

 

[Mattdels]

I consider OS updates and security update separate items in the Android world.

It feels "safer" to use an Android device running Oreo with the latest Jan 2020 Security Patch Level than a device running Android 10 on the Dec 2019 Security Patch Level.

I always wished you could choose whether or not you want to install the latest Android OS, or keep your existing one provided it is still supported and install security updates instead.

 

[Rukbat]

And if im not mistaken, Apple was sued for slowing doen their device with updates a few years back...

If I recall correctly, that was because the battery wasn't holding a charge long enough with the newer operating system versions. (CPU speed costs battery.)

 

[Mike Dee]

Exactly my point. The original Pixel and Pixel XL was released in October 2016 and they still received monthly updates up until the January 2020 update where it did not receive that update. That about 3 years of monthly updates.

I was referring to OS updates. In not sure how long Samsung provides monthly patches for. @mustang7757 might know.
In any event it only matters to those that it matters to. I used to upgrade every two years but I bought the LG G5, V20, Pixel 2XL, 3XL, Samsung S10+, Note 10+ all during their release. My next device may be the S20 but I'm leaning towards the Note version which would put me on a yearly schedule. 2 years of major OS dates is plenty for me. It really depends on needs and wants. I was tell people go with what works best for you.

 

[mustang7757]

Security most likely 3 years , software updates 2

 

[KenrickFullbuster]

I could hardly care less about updates - at last count I have over a thousand apps on my phone with six apps alone on keyboards, three calculator apps, 8 messaging apps and 16 variations of the same game. I used to change my phones every 6 months until my mobile operator changed their policies but with 5 mobile lines, I can still change up to 5 phones a year so I’m happy. So yep, updates? Don’t care. Bloatware? Nothing compared to my Arsenal of app installs. Phone maintenance? Never heard of it. If my phone slows down coz of the gazillion apps running in the background, I simply restart the phone. Problem solved...

 

[Climb14er]

I'm writing this on a Note 9 possibly a few days from the last major system overhaul.

It's crazy because the Note 9 is more than capable of running whatever you throw it at for the next years to come.

The Note 8 also capable, but already left behind in the dust.

Then comes the Note 10. By this time next year, it will also be at the end of its' "life" in terms of "feature" updates.

It's 2020. I still can't wrap my head around the thought of a device like the Note 10... on the last year of feature support next year because of some antiquated "2 major updates only" policy.

It sucks even more for late adopters who wait a year or so for prices to drop. They only get 1 major feature update.

Meanwhile Apple is probably modifying iOS 14 to run on the iPhone 6S as we speak, a now almost 5 year old phone.

Will this policy ever change? I mean what is the "excuse?" How do you guys feel about that? I know it's been like this for a while now, surely it's time for a revamp.

That's been my concern all these years, that Sammy only gives us two OS updates, not including the security. The firmware is so strong these years I would hope for another year or two. Regarding this forum, a lot of folks here don't give a you know what because if they make it to one year without jumping, that's an amazing feat in and of itself. Many business folks I know keep their phones as long as they can... afterall... they're successful and they 'usually' don't go chasing the latest and greatest. I just received a warranty replacement for my Note 9 with one more year of updates. The Note 9 is VERY powerful, fast, great data transfer and reception. I'd hate to dump it in a year if it's running fine, even with extended warranty. Sometimes iOS gets my attention.

 

[eshropshire]

I understand it can be expensive, but it wouldn't exactly kill them to support their "flagship" model of phones for a little while longer than they do.

In terms of feature support, the flagships have barely seen 15 months of supports. That is a mighty short time for something so expensive. It gets worse the longer you wait to buy.

Not everyone wants to shell out $1200+ every two years, or be in some constant pay cycle with Jump or Next or whatever those leasomg plans are called.

I went from the Note 4 to the Note 9. I was planning on doing the Note 9 to the Note 12 but I'm having second thoughts because of Samaungs short software lifespan. I rooted the Note 4 to tie me over for a while (it ran better on custom software than it did stock) so I'll probably do the same with the 9 which is way more capable than the 4.

New hardware used to excite me, but we've hit a ceiling. Now I'm more about updates and quality of life changes to software over a processor that will load Facebook in 0.7 seconds.

Ughhh, I'm so conflicted. lol.

Really appreciate the input this far.

Samsung provides 3 years of monthly security updates. I kept my Note 4 until the Note 8 was released. My wife had a S7 until November and I believe she was getting quarterly updates.

If you want 3 years of major updates on Android your option is Pixel. If updates are really important then go with iOS.

 

[Ry]

Other OEMs are catching up and doing updates monthly. In fact Samsung has been ahead of Google recently for monthly updates. That's not the OPs concern though. They are concerned that they will only see 2 major OS updates.

Google was slower because of "feature drops".

 

[Mike Dee]

Google was slower because of "feature drops".

While they may be true in at least 1 month Samsung had a patch by the 1st of the month.

 

[J Dubbs]

I could hardly care less about updates - at last count I have over a thousand apps on my phone with six apps alone on keyboards, three calculator apps, 8 messaging apps and 16 variations of the same game. I used to change my phones every 6 months until my mobile operator changed their policies but with 5 mobile lines, I can still change up to 5 phones a year so I’m happy. So yep, updates? Don’t care. Bloatware? Nothing compared to my Arsenal of app installs. Phone maintenance? Never heard of it. If my phone slows down coz of the gazillion apps running in the background, I simply restart the phone. Problem solved...

Now THAT is some funny d*mn stuff right there LMFAO. I love it.....true honesty. Thanks for sharing it like it is, I wish more folks would do that ;-)