- Jun 25, 2010
- 2,540
- 40
- 48
Recent articles about the October 4[SUP]th[/SUP] Pixel/Nexus release got me thinking about OS updates. I wonder if I am in the minority around here or not, but for the most part they just don’t matter to me anymore. This is particularly true owning a Note 7. I’ll explain why.
Android is quite a mature platform now (as is iOS by the way). It feels to me like most of the new platform releases do not contain anything that I cannot wait for. They all bring something good at some level (better security, more efficiency, maybe a few consumer facing features such as split screen, etc). Still, none of those things are items that would make me what to purchase a different phone so that I can get them, faster. And let’s face it, that is the reason to get a Nexus phone (Pixel, I know) - updates. The Nexus phones never have the best screen, ever have the best battery life, never the best software features (unless you consider “pure” Android a feature, I do not), or the best hardware. They simply have the newest software. And for me, I don’t care. The Notes have split screen, and many other features that stock Android doesn’t have.
People will talk about speedy security updates, which are important to an extent, but again IMO somewhat overblown. I have had Android phones since the OG Droid and never had any security issues or viruses or anything like that. If I don’t get an October security patch until December, I think I’ll live through it OK. Again, for me, this is not a reason to get a Nexus phone. I think the doze updates are interesting and potentially helpful, but again, I can wait a bit.
Another argument might be that stock Android phones are faster, and that is almost definitely true. Also true? They are boring as hell IMO
. I will take my tricked out Note 7 any day over a stock Android phone.
There are a fair number of folks – especially in these forums and on tech sites – who might consider this blasphemy, but I truly don’t care all that much about updates as they pertain to modern flagship phones. This is because the platforms are mature, because the phones can do every, single, thing I want right now, and because the software has reached a level of maturity that makes new updates very nice, but ultimately not critical enough for me to consider using a Nexus phone solely for update purposes. The Android purists will certainly not agree, but I bet I am in the VAST majority of overall phone users out there, though perhaps in the minority in tech circles.
Android is quite a mature platform now (as is iOS by the way). It feels to me like most of the new platform releases do not contain anything that I cannot wait for. They all bring something good at some level (better security, more efficiency, maybe a few consumer facing features such as split screen, etc). Still, none of those things are items that would make me what to purchase a different phone so that I can get them, faster. And let’s face it, that is the reason to get a Nexus phone (Pixel, I know) - updates. The Nexus phones never have the best screen, ever have the best battery life, never the best software features (unless you consider “pure” Android a feature, I do not), or the best hardware. They simply have the newest software. And for me, I don’t care. The Notes have split screen, and many other features that stock Android doesn’t have.
People will talk about speedy security updates, which are important to an extent, but again IMO somewhat overblown. I have had Android phones since the OG Droid and never had any security issues or viruses or anything like that. If I don’t get an October security patch until December, I think I’ll live through it OK. Again, for me, this is not a reason to get a Nexus phone. I think the doze updates are interesting and potentially helpful, but again, I can wait a bit.
Another argument might be that stock Android phones are faster, and that is almost definitely true. Also true? They are boring as hell IMO
. I will take my tricked out Note 7 any day over a stock Android phone. There are a fair number of folks – especially in these forums and on tech sites – who might consider this blasphemy, but I truly don’t care all that much about updates as they pertain to modern flagship phones. This is because the platforms are mature, because the phones can do every, single, thing I want right now, and because the software has reached a level of maturity that makes new updates very nice, but ultimately not critical enough for me to consider using a Nexus phone solely for update purposes. The Android purists will certainly not agree, but I bet I am in the VAST majority of overall phone users out there, though perhaps in the minority in tech circles.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram