Is running an older version of Android really a bad idea?

[Danielx64]

So when using a PC you keep windows updated (and upgrade as needed) but with Android it not quite the same.

While doing research on a new phone, I found that many of them will have Android 6 or 7 pre-installed but when looking to see if Android 8 is supported, there is no support to update those devices.

So is it really that much of a big deal if a phone is running Android 6 or 7?

 

[XhenEd]

Generally, it is a good idea to have the latest version available because of features, improvements, and security fixes.

But we just have to deal with reality that not all people will have the latest version. A smartphone will sooner or later have no chance of upgrade. And not all people are rich enough to buy a new smartphone every year.

It's just the way how Android platform works and updates. The OS is heavily dependent on the hardware, unlike the Windows OS.

#blamegoogle
#blameconsumerism
#blamecapitalism

 

[Captain Awesome]

You can not always keepup with latest version of android.
So it is not really a bad idea.#blamegoogle
I have a sony Xperia phone that run on OS 4.3 and it is working well.

 

[Danielx64]

But we just have to deal with reality that not all people will have the latest version. A smartphone will sooner or later have no chance of upgrade. It's just the way how Android platform works and updates. The OS is heavily dependent on the hardware, unlike the Windows OS.

Indeed. It like one phone (Moto G5) will get Android 8 at some point while the Huawei Y7 won't but the battery will last longer than the Moto G5. It's also the same with some of LG's phone as well.

Would it fair to say that the OS is more locked down than Windows?

You can not always keepup with latest version of android.

Something that I found out the hard way with my current phone

 

[ForgottenSeer 55474]

I have got an HTC NEXUS 9, and I get security updates for that every month(Android 7.1.1 Nougat)

 

[Handsome Recluse]

Windows isn't fragmented like Android. Google is doing a project to bring all the Androids together so for newer phones after that, the lack of updates from hardware vendors would probably not matter anymore.

 

[roger_m]

My Android phone is stuck on Android 5.1. It receives OTA updates from the manufacturer, and even gets new versions of its customized version of Android, but it will never receive an upgrade to a current version of Android. My Android TV Box, only has Android 4.4.

I'd much rather be running a more recent version of Android, but it's not a big deal to me, considering they are both budget devices. My phone was $130 and the TV box was $30.

It's better than using iOS, where they receive updates for longer, but (allegedly) they release updates for older devices which intentionally slow them down, in order to encourage you to upgrade.

 

[Deletedmessiah]

@roger_m made a good point. iOS devices will badly slow down but their updates should be good for atleast 3 years. Apple slow down phones with updates to force you to buy newer phones while Android makers don't give enough updates to force you to buy new phones.
Personally I should be safe even with outdated Android. I'm very careful while installing apps and all my apps are very popular ones. It'd take something like CCleaner hack to get me infected. Or if I get drunk and mess up my phone
Or if some decent but an idiot hacker hacked me. Idiot because I'm not worth the hack

 

[harlan4096]

Sony Xperia S (Android 4.1.2) and working fine, getting a bit slow, but I don't do banking or any other risky activity with it, except some with Whatsapps, Telegram, voice and sms...

 

[Aleeyen]

Whatever any one says I don't think its necessary to have latest OS, in Windows or Android both. Just the vendors make users believe that they need the new piece of software so that they can sell their new products. I always see people using old OSes both on the PC and Mobile without any problem.

 

[enaph]

I selected "yes" as it is a bad idea when people have a chance to upgrade but they don't do it (I know this kind of people) but from the other side I know what the reality is as majority of people loose the ability to upgrade their smartphones after a short time after the purchase.
This is mainly caused by the vendors and carriers because they don't want to pay Google for upgrades simply to make a profit by selling new devices.

 

[Danielx64]

I selected "yes" as it is a bad idea when people have a chance to upgrade but they don't do it (I know this kind of people) but from the other side I know what the reality is as majority of people loose the ability to upgrade their smartphones after a short time after the purchase.
This is mainly caused by the vendors and carriers because they don't want to pay Google for upgrades simply to make a profit by selling new devices.

I thought that Android was free.....

 

[Freki123]

I realy hate the manufacturer for their lack of interest to atleast provide security updates in a fast timeframe. Security whats that? Better put lots of bloatware on it for some extra cash. If you get no updates anymore your only hope is to install a rom and hope you did not brick your handy if you want security updates.

 

[Danielx64]

I realy hate the manufacturer for their lack of interest to atleast provide security updates in a fast timeframe. Security whats that? Better put lots of bloatware on it for some extra cash. If you get no updates anymore your only hope is to install a rom and hope you did not brick your handy if you want security updates.

Installing a rom could be worse right?

 

[Freki123]

@Danielx64 I have never done it since there is always the chance that you do something wrong and if you don't know how to fix it you got no working phone after it left .Im still in temptation to try it with an older phone. It seems the only chance if you want security updates on an older phone. I just want a phone with updates and not a lot of bling bling for 500$> . So i either suck it up with no more updates for me or risk to install a new rom .

 

[enaph]

I thought that Android was free.....

The Android mobile operating system is free for consumers and for manufacturers to install, but manufacturers need a licence to install Gmail, Google Maps and the Google Play store - collectively called Google Mobile Services (GMS).

 

[Danielx64]

@Danielx64 I have never done it since there is always the chance that you do something wrong and if you don't know how to fix it you got no working phone after it left .Im still in temptation to try it with an older phone. It seems the only chance if you want security updates on an older phone. I just want a phone with updates and not a lot of bling bling for 500$> . So i either suck it up with no more updates for me or risk to install a new rom .

Yeah I won't risk it for security reasons (after all you don't know where they come from) and no I don't need a brick.

The Android mobile operating system is free for consumers and for manufacturers to install, but manufacturers need a licence to install Gmail, Google Maps and the Google Play store - collectively called Google Mobile Services (GMS).

Wow, I didn't even know that. Thank you for pointing that out

 

[roger_m]

The Android mobile operating system is free for consumers and for manufacturers to install, but manufacturers need a licence to install Gmail, Google Maps and the Google Play store - collectively called Google Mobile Services (GMS).

I also did not know that. My phone is not certified, but it does have the Google services installed.

 

[insanity]

I have a low spec Sony Xperia (7.0). It won't get the latest version of Android, but I still receive security updates on a regular basis.
It's ok to run older versions as sometimes it is not economically viable to quickly upgrade to the latest version.