There are many factors which a user consider for selecting an Android gadget. These factors include, favorite brand, big screen size, cost and features. However, the factor which normally users don’t consider and that is really important is the waiting time over getting the new version of Android from their manufacturer. Usually, Google introduces a new version of its popular operating system, Android, annually in the Google I/O exhibitions. But after the Google announcement about these new Android versions, users should wait for their gadget manufacturer to release the new version specific to their devices as the Google won’t release directly for all devices. This waiting period usually lasts for at least 6 months and in some cases even a year which is really too long. Today, we are going to discuss the reasons behind this waiting time and see which companies release the new versions faster than others.

Comparison among the reception of New Android versions and other operating systems

In this context, with a brief look, it can be found that Android is falling much behind compare to others such as Windows Phone or Apple’s IOS. Microsoft and Apple usually provide directly or indirectly the updates to users, shortly after their announcement. Unfortunately Android is not like this, and it will take a lot of time for users to get access to the new version. Of course, Google has tried to overcome this problem in its already succeeded NEXUS series. But other companies, such as Samsung, HTC, LG, Huawei, Sony, Motorola and others still have problem with providing their users with the latest Android operating system. For example, both Galaxy S4 and HTC One owners are still waiting to get to see Jelly Bean 4.3 running on their device and both companies announced October and November as the release date. The funny point is that Google is going to release Android KitKat 4.4 on October and again flagships owners should wait another 6 month to get the update.

Main reasons for taking time to release the new versions

As discussed and you found, releasing the new versions to users is time consuming process. However, what is the reason behind this issue and why other operating systems such as IOS or Windows Phone haven’t this issue. To answer this question, we can mention three main reasons, which are as follows,

1 - Hardware support for new versions of Android: the most time-consuming task for manufacturers is the hardware support for the new version of the Android. By default, Google will just include the code and drivers for hardware support of NEXUS series, and it doesn’t include other hardware, and this is mainly a responsibility of the manufacturer to support its own hardware. Each gadget producer should overcome the complexity of updating Android for variety of chipsets and radio bands, for different countries, which has been used on its gadgets. Although supporting a wide range of hardware by Android is welcomed by ma nufacturing companies, but the diversity of the hardware is becoming the Achilles heel in providing the new Android versions. Since IOS and Windows Phone just support a limited series of hardware, the users won’t getting any delay in receiving the new version of them.

2 – Preparing the specific User Interface provided by manufacturer: the second stage in syncing the device with the new version of Android is the adaption of the manufacturer’ custom User Interface with the new version. Samsung with Touch Wiz, HTC with Sense, Sony with Time Scape all experiencing this problem. Once again, as in the Nexus devices the default Android User Interface used, they don’t have this problem. Windows Phone and IOS which are not open source and hence there isn’t much in changing them and so, they don’t have this problem too.

3 – Approval of Service Operators: finally, the last step in releasing Android updates is the approval of the mobile service operators. This problem is very time-consuming which unlocked devices (sold out of contract) will get the update sooner than the devices which are sold on the contract.

Our Suggestion

If getting the new version of Android is important to you then, the best choice are Nexus series for you. In the next place, ASUS shown better and faster support. Also, Samsung, HTC and Sony are nearly similar to each other in releasing time. However, LG took a little longer than others to update its Android’s gadgets. And finally, there is always another solution and it is using customs ROMs. 

See Also:

Guidelines and Tips For Buying Android Devices: Phone, Tablet or Phablet?
Guidelines and Tips For Buying Android Phone & Tablet: Price / Quality

Guidelines and Tips For Buying Android Phone & Tablet: Main Brands

Guidelines and Tips For Buying Android Phone & Tablet: Display