Why Does Android Only Create Updates for Popular Mobile Brands? Exploring the Updates Puzzle
Android, the popular mobile operating system, often creates updates primarily for popular brands like Samsung and Sony. This leaves non-popular brands lagging behind. Why does this happen? Let's delve deeper into the reasons behind this phenomenon.
The Role of Popular Brand Popularity
Popular brands can afford to invest in updates, as they have significantly larger user bases and more resources for development. This financial backing enables them to focus on improving their products through regular updates, thereby enhancing user experience.
Initial Performance Dips and Bug Fixing Issues
According to user experiences, initial Android updates often slow down phone performance. This is typically due to bugs that need to be ironed out over time. Large corporations like Samsung and others, with significant resources, can afford the time and effort needed for comprehensive bug testing and fixes, leading to stable releases.
Why Nexus Series Receives Immediate Updates
Android primarily updates the Nexus series as it is a flagship model representing Google's best practices. Other brands, like Samsung, have to modify and optimize these updates for their specific devices, often leading to delays due to the necessity to first identify and resolve platform-specific bugs.
The Role of Brand Resources in Providing Updates
Brands like Samsung and Sony have the luxury of incorporating changes in the UI and optimizing the update process. This is why they are able to provide regular updates promptly. Some non-popular brands may also release updates, but in greater amounts, these updates might not be as frequent or as well-timed.
Unreliability of Android Updates and Customization
Android updates are not directly related to Google; instead, they are dependent on the phone manufacturer. Most brands modify the vanilla Android to create their own overlays, such as Samsung's TouchWizz and HTC's Sense. As a result, these custom systems require individual companies to decide whether to upgrade to the latest version. Reputable manufacturers do so to serve their valuable customers, while others may prioritize new product development over maintaining regular software updates.
The Dual Reason for Non-Updates
Not receiving the latest Android updates can be attributed to two main factors:
Your phone is too old and doesn't meet the requirements for the new version. Your phone manufacturer does not want to publish an update for internal reasons. In these cases, unofficial custom ROMs might still be available to keep your device advanced.Conclusion
Understanding why Android updates are primarily released for popular brands can help consumers make informed decisions. If regular updates are important to you, ensure that the brand you choose has a strong track record of providing them. For the rest of us, embracing unofficial custom ROMs can bridge the gap between our device's age and the latest Android updates.