[Nexus 4 General] snapper.fishes:
Update comparisons

Instead of just discussing whether 18 months is too short / long enough, let's do some comparisons.

In order for this comparison to be fair, I have decided to use the time difference between when the phone is first available and when Google released the version of android that the last update contained. This is necessary because different manufacturer takes different amount of time to adopt Google's source code into their own firmware update, so a manufacturer who takes their sweet time to release an update would appear to have a longer support period, which wouldn't be fair.

Samsung Galaxy S I9000

Released in June 2010

Last update version: 2.3.6

The 2.3.6 firmware was actually released by Google on September 2011. Support period is approximately 15 months.

Samsung Galaxy S 2

Released in May 2011

Last update version: 4.1.2

4.1.2 was released by Google in October 2012. Approximate support period 17 months.

HTC Sensation

Released in May 2011

Last update version: 4.0.3.

4.0.3. was released by Google in Dec 2011. HTC has announced that the Sensation won't be seeing an official 4.1 update. Approximate support period 7 months.

Sony Xperia S

Released in March 2012

Last update version: 4.1.2

4.1.2 was released by Google in October 2012. Approximate support period 7 months.

The results are quite ... interesting to say the least. As I said before, I am using the Google update release date instead of the manufacturer update release date, which is why the support period for Sony and HTC appears to be ridiculously short. However, it's their own damn fault for releasing flagship phone with out of date software. The Xperia S for example, could have been launched with ICS instead of GB, the former having been released in Oct 2011, almost half a year before the Xperia S launch date.

Back to the topic: In terms of android phones support period, 18 months is quite reasonable, especially since Nexus phones usually receive updates first before any other phones. So it really isn't too bad...

... until you start looking at iPhones. Eek. There, I said it. I am probably going to be tied to a pole and burnt to death for this. But before you light the fire underneath me, let's take a look at what the archenemy is doing.

iPhone 3GS

First released: June 2009

Last update version: iOS 6.1.3

Apple likes to throw out little updates every once a while, which are mostly bug fixes. So instead of using the release date of 6.1.3., I am going to use the released date for the last major update, iOS 6.1., which was released on Jan 2013. Approximate support period 43 months.

Now the number is impressive, but as some of you are going to point out, not all iOS updates are equal. Older iPhones do not get all the features of new iOS versions, either because of hardware limitation or "business strategy". Android phones have largely avoided this fate so far, unfortunately we already know that this will happen with 4.4 because the Nexus 4 does not have the hardware needed for the always listening feature. A legit reason, but a missing feature none the less.

Say whatever you want about Apple, but their support period far surpasses android phones. Obviously, there's a business reason for this - Apple continued selling the 3GS as a low-end phone for a very long time after its release, so there's an incentive to continue releasing update for it. Should Google do the same for android phones? Not necessarily. Android phones are supported by a lot of independent developers, who will continue to release updates long after Google cease support. That is one major advantage Android has that Apple can never hope to replicate. You can argue that it's not fair for developers to work for "free" when Google sit and reaps the benefits, and that non-tech savvy consumers (aka your grandparents) would not know how to flash custom roms, but that's a whole different discussion topic.

You may now light the fire.