Thoughts about Verizon Updates for the One

[eshropshire]

I like a lot about the One, but I am not sure about getting the Verizon One. HTC has already proven to me they will abandon their users with no updates. The last HTC phone I bought, Verizon was charging $299 for it and less than a year later - no more updates. While I think HTC may update the One for awhile I wonder if Verizon will continue to push updates. Neither HTC or Verizon has the best history on updates and having to rely on both to get the updates out is giving me second thoughts about the One. I like a lot about my current phone but I don't want another abandoned device.

I have other concerns about the phone - fixed battery, slow charging, and limited storage. But I also find a lot to like about the phone, but I still worry because of my past history with HTC and updates.

 

[pkcable]

Keep in mind the One is their premiere, top teir line. Sorta like the Galaxy series for Samsung, or the Nexus series for google themselves. The HTC One is in that same class.

 

[TBoltJ]

Keep in mind the One is their premiere, top teir line. Sorta like the Galaxy series for Samsung, or the Nexus series for google themselves. The HTC One is in that same class.

You mean like the Thunderbolt was? LOLOL!!!

 

[WickedRabbit]

If we're just being honest here and basing things solely on 'history' then no, you have absolutely no reason to think that you will get timely updates from HTC or Verizon. They are both among the slowest in the industry when it comes to software updates and yes, HTC has proven that even with their flagships - Thunderbolt, Rezound, Incredible 1 and 2, etc. - you are not guaranteed support. They launched the One not even on the most current version of Android, which had been out for more than half a year at the time of the One's launch, and even now are barely getting 4.2 (on Verizon only in the states) when 4.3 is now out and Key Lime Pie is around the corner. The One will get 4.3...when is an entirely different story and you can pretty much count KLP out entirely, especially if it's a big makeover. HTC and Verizon would much rather release a new phone with the new OS late next year than to spend time updating their skin for current smartphones - a strategy that has been mimicked by every OEM so far.

So, if you get the One, don't expect timely updates or long support. Be happy with what you get because it's likely going to stop at 4.3...and you won't even get 4.3 until after KLP is announced and released.

 

[ianmorris75]

As a Rezound owner, I'm here to tell you HTC/Verizon will offer minimal updates if any to their flagship devices. I was eyeing the One as well but I feel burned by my previous experience with the Rezound. So if you like the phone as is when you buy it, it might be for you. As for me I've had an upgrade available for a few months now and nothing looks worthwhile expect Moto X, but the jury is still out.

 

[leathernuts#WP]

Wow, just ditched my iPhone 5 for the One. Now you all have me a little worried. Talking about updates only, would the s4 a better choice? Liking the phone the though, but I one me; I will want the latest version available when available. Thanks

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4

 

[WickedRabbit]

Wow, just ditched my iPhone 5 for the One. Now you all have me a little worried. Talking about updates only, would the s4 a better choice? Liking the phone the though, but I one me; I will want the latest version available when available. Thanks

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4

If you want the latest version when available for Android - or as close to 'when available' as possible - your options are limited to one of the following:

• Get a Nexus smartphone
• Get a Google Edition smartphone
• Root

No skinned version of Android - I repeat, NO skinned version of Android - will be updated to the latest version of Android when it's made available by Google. There will always be a several months (at best) waiting period or you may simply never get it depending on what version of Android you're currently on when the latest version comes out.


Unfortunately for S4, not much better really. This really is a pretty common situation with skinned versions of Android and especially with Verizon. Even if/when the OEM's provide updates in a timely fashion (which, let's be honest, doesn't happen often) the carriers will often times play politics and purposely delay the release for reasons mentioned above. It's primarily the main reason why I recently just decided to go with stock android. Not only did I like it more than the skinned versions of everything I used, but it'll get timely updates. I turned my S4 for Verizon into a business line only (because I refuse to give up unlimited until they make me) and just activated a Google Edition of the HTC One for T-Mobile (1 month prepaid that I had when I tested out the Nexus 4) and then switching it to AT&T when the month is up (didn't like T-Mobile service where I live).

When it comes to Android - at least if you're going with a skinned version - you have to decide if you're happy with the current experience considering that you don't really know what the next version of Android will add. Sometimes the next version of Android is no big deal to a lot of people and sometimes it is. If the update is a major upgrade in terms of not only features, but also visually, you can pretty much guarantee that your current skinned android smartphone will not be getting updated to it because OEM's typically just decide to work on a new phone with a new skin to match the new version of Android. If it's mostly feature additions and behind the scenes tweaks you'll likely get the update, but even then the average time span seems to be 6-12 months AFTER it's released and, of course, by that time another version of Android will be out. So, best case scenario you're always going to be at least 1-2 versions of Android behind the current release. Take the HTC One for example: It launched with 4.1 when 4.2 was already out, barely getting 4.2 in the states now (Verizon only currently) when 4.3 is out. HTC has commented that they are "trying" to get 4.3 out by end of September, but that doesn't mean it'll be made available by the carriers by then and then Key Lime Pie is likely being announced in October. So, always 1-2 versions behind the current software.

Coming from an iPhone, though, I don't know how much you'll be concerned by that. Apple doesn't really do major software updates except for once a year anyway - with only incremental bug fixes during the course of the year. Your android phone will likely get an update before 12 months - it just may not be to the "most recent" version of Android, but when it does get an update it'll likely at least be to a version of Android that adds features to your phone and improves performance. You'll just have to deal with the mind game of knowing you're not running 'the latest software'. If it makes you feel any better, look at it like Apple updates for older iPhones: you're getting the latest software, but you're not always getting "all of the features" in that software because Apple often times block things from older phones.