Google lists disappointing End of Support times for Nexus devices

Everything Goes · 23-06-2016, 00:08

Android is often rightly criticised for the lack of updates. Google Nexus are the best of a bad lot however Google have decided to list end of support life dates for Nexus devices. Sadly this does little to raise the bar.

Rule of thumb is 2 years of OS updates. Security patches for the longer of 3 years from availability or 18 months from when the Google Store last sold the device.

Sadly if you want proper support you will have to buy an Apple product.

No guaranteed Android version updates after:

Nexus 6P September 2017

Nexus 5X September 2017

Nexus 9 October 2016

Nexus 6 October 2016

Nexus 5 October 2015

Nexus 7 (2013) July 2015

Nexus 10 November 2014

https://support.google.com/nexus/ans...#nexus_devices

http://www.androidauthority.com/goog...fe-eol-699591/

de525ma · 23-06-2016, 00:21

It does say no guaranteed updates. Not no updates whatsoever under any circumstances.

Still is disappointing though.

carcass · 23-06-2016, 00:32

"Apple product"
No thanks.

Anika Hanson · 23-06-2016, 02:46

This is really terrible from Google.

omnidirectional · 23-06-2016, 06:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by de525ma

It does say no guaranteed updates. Not no updates whatsoever under any circumstances.

Indeed. My Nexus 5, 7 and 10 are all still getting monthly security updates despite passing the supposed end of support dates.

ney · 23-06-2016, 06:53

At one time I would have said no to Apple but I replaced an over 2 year old Nexus 7 (2012) that started having minor problems with an IPad Mini 4 at the end of last year and I love it.
I also replaced my Nexus 4 that I had for well over 2 years after it started playing up now and again with an IPhone 5s 32g and at first I was not sure I had made the right choice but I'm now used to the IPhone and love it.
I did love the Nexus 4 until it started playing up now and again the 6 months before I replaced it.
I know more now that have Apple than I do Android.
Think there is now only a very small few that I know that still have an Android phone.

Darren

jonmorris · 23-06-2016, 06:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by ney

At one time I would have said no to Apple but I replaced an over 2 year old Nexus 7 (2012) that started having minor problems with an IPad Mini 4 at the end of last year and I love it.

You could have replaced the 2012 Nexus 7 with a brick and seen an improvement! That was really not a good device, although it started off pretty much okay with the factory-shipped OS (and got worse with every successive update).

The 2013 model was infinitely better, and is still getting support even though we're nearly a year on from it's 'end of support' date.

I suspect that every Nexus device will get Android N, even if not officially from Google. It's going to take a matter of days for the developer community to release a ROM.

Mark in Essex · 23-06-2016, 09:11

Not good, but the only other option would be Apple.

aurichie · 23-06-2016, 09:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark in Essex

Not good, but the only other option would be Apple.

Apple isn't perfect! After just 5 years of updates and support for the iPhone 4S they will finally be turning off updates with the release of iOS 10 later this year.

TheBigM · 23-06-2016, 10:21

It's a really hard decision. With Apple, there's an element of "it just works", you get support for a long time, prompt widespread support for accessories and services like apple pay.

But you pay through the nose for a device.

I am used to iPhone now and have purchased some paid-for apps too. Do I buy a OnePlus 3 and save on handset cost or do I get a used iPhone 6 Plus for a similar price in September? (Given there's no major improvement to iPhone coming until 2017).

bikerlad · 23-06-2016, 16:44

Manufacturers should commit to support devices for a set period after they announce an end of sale date. If you buy a device on release date you get a good few years of updates but buy it near to when they are about to stop making them, then you may regret it later. Chances are you didn't pay significantly less though for the lack of updates.

Anika Hanson · 23-06-2016, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonmorris

You could have replaced the 2012 Nexus 7 with a brick and seen an improvement! That was really not a good device, although it started off pretty much okay with the factory-shipped OS (and got worse with every successive update).

The 2013 model was infinitely better, and is still getting support even though we're nearly a year on from it's 'end of support' date.

I suspect that every Nexus device will get Android N, even if not officially from Google. It's going to take a matter of days for the developer community to release a ROM.

You shouldn't have to side load software. I doubt the Nexus 7 2013 will get N which is shocking.

jonmorris · 23-06-2016, 17:24

Side loading is very easy. I did it with the Android M beta (before Google made it easier than ever to run beta software).

For a tablet that's three years old, I can understand why it might not get Android N but of course we don't know it won't yet! This list doesn't say devices definitely won't get updates.

Faust · 24-06-2016, 15:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by ney

I know more now that have Apple than I do Android.
Think there is now only a very small few that I know that still have an Android phone.

Darren

And yet it is the most popular mobile OS in the world - go figure?

You get the Google updates 2/3 years and with Apple get the updates 4/5 years. You have however to take into account the purchase price of both products in order to see which is the best value for money. I'm not sure there's much in it.

jonmorris · 24-06-2016, 17:42

Look at the cost of ownership too. A OnePlus 3 for £300 vs an iPhone at £nnn. The Apple will have a better resale value, but will it be sufficient to make you better off than having gone for a cheaper phone in the first place?

I assume a lot of people still change phone within the time that a phone stops getting supported, although it depends on when you buy in. If you buy a phone when it's launched, you've got at least two years of security. If you buy it end of line, when it's likely also a lot cheaper, you may not get more than a year - maybe even less.

Some people who are happy to keep a phone for years, until it dies, may well be people who don't even do updates. One of the many people who sit with an icon on the screen for months/forever inviting them to do an update but never do so, for whatever reason.

23-06-2016, 00:08	#1
Everything Goes Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: In the future.... Posts: 11,259	Google lists disappointing End of Support times for Nexus devices Android is often rightly criticised for the lack of updates. Google Nexus are the best of a bad lot however Google have decided to list end of support life dates for Nexus devices. Sadly this does little to raise the bar. Rule of thumb is 2 years of OS updates. Security patches for the longer of 3 years from availability or 18 months from when the Google Store last sold the device. Sadly if you want proper support you will have to buy an Apple product. No guaranteed Android version updates after: Nexus 6P September 2017 Nexus 5X September 2017 Nexus 9 October 2016 Nexus 6 October 2016 Nexus 5 October 2015 Nexus 7 (2013) July 2015 Nexus 10 November 2014 https://support.google.com/nexus/ans...#nexus_devices http://www.androidauthority.com/goog...fe-eol-699591/

23-06-2016, 00:21	#2
de525ma Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Portsmouth Posts: 787	It does say no guaranteed updates. Not no updates whatsoever under any circumstances. Still is disappointing though.

23-06-2016, 00:32	#3
carcass Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 102	"Apple product" No thanks.

23-06-2016, 02:46	#4
Anika Hanson Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: UK Posts: 14,219	This is really terrible from Google.

23-06-2016, 06:52	#5
omnidirectional Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 10,879	Quote: Originally Posted by de525ma It does say no guaranteed updates. Not no updates whatsoever under any circumstances. Indeed. My Nexus 5, 7 and 10 are all still getting monthly security updates despite passing the supposed end of support dates.

23-06-2016, 06:53	#6
ney Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Scotland, Dunfermline Area Posts: 10,704	At one time I would have said no to Apple but I replaced an over 2 year old Nexus 7 (2012) that started having minor problems with an IPad Mini 4 at the end of last year and I love it. I also replaced my Nexus 4 that I had for well over 2 years after it started playing up now and again with an IPhone 5s 32g and at first I was not sure I had made the right choice but I'm now used to the IPhone and love it. I did love the Nexus 4 until it started playing up now and again the 6 months before I replaced it. I know more now that have Apple than I do Android. Think there is now only a very small few that I know that still have an Android phone. Darren

23-06-2016, 06:58	#7
jonmorris Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: a land filled with trolls Posts: 12,018	Quote: Originally Posted by ney At one time I would have said no to Apple but I replaced an over 2 year old Nexus 7 (2012) that started having minor problems with an IPad Mini 4 at the end of last year and I love it. You could have replaced the 2012 Nexus 7 with a brick and seen an improvement! That was really not a good device, although it started off pretty much okay with the factory-shipped OS (and got worse with every successive update). The 2013 model was infinitely better, and is still getting support even though we're nearly a year on from it's 'end of support' date. I suspect that every Nexus device will get Android N, even if not officially from Google. It's going to take a matter of days for the developer community to release a ROM.

23-06-2016, 09:11	#8
Mark in Essex Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,644	Not good, but the only other option would be Apple.

23-06-2016, 09:25	#9
aurichie Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 5,100	Quote: Originally Posted by Mark in Essex Not good, but the only other option would be Apple. Apple isn't perfect! After just 5 years of updates and support for the iPhone 4S they will finally be turning off updates with the release of iOS 10 later this year.

23-06-2016, 10:21	#10
TheBigM Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: moon Posts: 12,983	It's a really hard decision. With Apple, there's an element of "it just works", you get support for a long time, prompt widespread support for accessories and services like apple pay. But you pay through the nose for a device. I am used to iPhone now and have purchased some paid-for apps too. Do I buy a OnePlus 3 and save on handset cost or do I get a used iPhone 6 Plus for a similar price in September? (Given there's no major improvement to iPhone coming until 2017).

23-06-2016, 16:44	#11
bikerlad Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: London Posts: 391	Manufacturers should commit to support devices for a set period after they announce an end of sale date. If you buy a device on release date you get a good few years of updates but buy it near to when they are about to stop making them, then you may regret it later. Chances are you didn't pay significantly less though for the lack of updates.

23-06-2016, 17:10	#12
Anika Hanson Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: UK Posts: 14,219	Quote: Originally Posted by jonmorris You could have replaced the 2012 Nexus 7 with a brick and seen an improvement! That was really not a good device, although it started off pretty much okay with the factory-shipped OS (and got worse with every successive update). The 2013 model was infinitely better, and is still getting support even though we're nearly a year on from it's 'end of support' date. I suspect that every Nexus device will get Android N, even if not officially from Google. It's going to take a matter of days for the developer community to release a ROM. You shouldn't have to side load software. I doubt the Nexus 7 2013 will get N which is shocking.

23-06-2016, 17:24	#13
jonmorris Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: a land filled with trolls Posts: 12,018	Side loading is very easy. I did it with the Android M beta (before Google made it easier than ever to run beta software). For a tablet that's three years old, I can understand why it might not get Android N but of course we don't know it won't yet! This list doesn't say devices definitely won't get updates.

24-06-2016, 15:35	#14
Faust Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: UK Posts: 8,103	Quote: Originally Posted by ney I know more now that have Apple than I do Android. Think there is now only a very small few that I know that still have an Android phone. Darren And yet it is the most popular mobile OS in the world - go figure? You get the Google updates 2/3 years and with Apple get the updates 4/5 years. You have however to take into account the purchase price of both products in order to see which is the best value for money. I'm not sure there's much in it.

24-06-2016, 17:42	#15
jonmorris Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: a land filled with trolls Posts: 12,018	Look at the cost of ownership too. A OnePlus 3 for £300 vs an iPhone at £nnn. The Apple will have a better resale value, but will it be sufficient to make you better off than having gone for a cheaper phone in the first place? I assume a lot of people still change phone within the time that a phone stops getting supported, although it depends on when you buy in. If you buy a phone when it's launched, you've got at least two years of security. If you buy it end of line, when it's likely also a lot cheaper, you may not get more than a year - maybe even less. Some people who are happy to keep a phone for years, until it dies, may well be people who don't even do updates. One of the many people who sit with an icon on the screen for months/forever inviting them to do an update but never do so, for whatever reason.

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Google lists disappointing End of Support times for Nexus devices