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Sim free customers getting the short straw?!
- Thread starter matttye
- Start date
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- Tags
- samsung galaxy s2
Presumably Samsung must have to provide a working version to the carriers though otherwise they wouldn't have touch wiz...
It would go google > Samsung > carrier not just google > carrier.
And yeah I know the galaxy s was ready first but it seems crazy to support an older device faster than their flagship!
Yeah I thought it was a bit odd too. The baseline version for SIM free phones must have existed for months, what else are the carriers going to put their bloatware on?
I can only guess that the answer is good old fashion cash - perhaps the carriers lobbed a load of money in Samsung's direction to get some sort of accelerated release. It's not that much of a selling point though (I would have thought) so even I'm not that convinced by that argument.
I can only guess that the answer is good old fashion cash - perhaps the carriers lobbed a load of money in Samsung's direction to get some sort of accelerated release. It's not that much of a selling point though (I would have thought) so even I'm not that convinced by that argument.
ironass
Extreme Android User
Why is it that network branded phones have already got 2.3.5 but sim free don't, and also why does he galaxy s get android 2.3.5 before the galaxy s2?!
It's like the world of Samsung has gone mad!!
Do not blame Samsung for this.
The way it works is as follows:-
Android release a firmware to manufacturers.
Manufacturers, i.e. Samsung, then manipulate it for a particular handset and continental region, (to allow for various restrictions), as well as country tweaks and legislation requirements.
Approval is sought from the various countries telecommunications bodies for its approval and release.
The firmware is then released to unbranded handsets and given to the various carriers.
The carriers then add their own software, tweaks and in some cases, remove items and then return it to Samsung for release when they are ready and have carried out their own tests.
Therefore, if you are awaiting carrier based software, you have only your carrier to blame.
You could, of course, either buy an unbranded phone in the first place or root your phone and install the latest software as soon as it is available from Samsung in the initial release. I am currently using 2.3.6 firmware and hope to upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich very soon.
Probably because the S was in more need of it, being an older model and therefore likely running an outdated version of the OS.
As to why off-contract handsets haven't received any updates.... that can only be because Samsung don't consider it necessary.
greggebhardt
Android Enthusiast
I have to agree with others and it would not be Samsung's fault, blame it on the Carriers who need to test and approve before they consider releasing a update. The Carriers dread having something go wrong with a new release and having to take the support calls . . . they likely figure it is best to leave sleepy dogs alone!
The OP questions why off-contract (SIM-free) handsets are lagging behind the carrier-branded ones with updates, though.
The update for unbranded phones is being issued after the carrier update. The chain of events you note has not happened in this case. By your own logic that leaves Samsung responsible
Whether they consider it necessary or not, sim-free customers (who have usually paid for their phones outright) expect certain privileges. This would be like non-Nexus phones getting ice cream sandwich first.
Seems a little unfair.
Actually, re-reading the OP, it does seem confusing.
Yeah
_This was an email i sent samsung uk
Hi I was getting very fustrated when I purchased my galaxy s2 to find out 3 months later that all my mates are on newer firmware even though they are tied to a network which is usually wrong!!
Anyway i send this email to samsung!!!!!
Hi I have a galaxy s2 phone but there seem to be many people in the uk with the same problem. we all have uk unbranded handsets as in they are no tied to a network. They generally seem to be brought by the likes of phones 4 u. I will list my phone details below, it seems that they have stopped updating the firmware for these phone in the uk, All the network tied mobiles like o2, orange etc have all had two updates where we are all stuck on 2.3.4. Basically just want to make sure that this email PLEASE PLEASE gets passed on and added to the update lists again.We are hoping that we get put to ICS but seeing as we are still stuck on 2.3.4 i havent got my hopes up!
* PDA : I9100XWKI4
* PHONE : I9100XXKI1*
CSC : I9100XEUKH2
* Anyway this was the reply!
Thank you for yoru email.* I am sorry to hear that you are concerned about the updates available for your phone.* If your phone is not tied to a network and is running 2.3.4, this is the most up to date version of the operating system available.* The versions 2.3.5 and 2.3.6 were released to resolve issues with this phone that was only occurring when they were tied to network. For unbranded phones these issues did not occur and so the update was not released. In all other respects these updates are identical to 2.3.4.* If you require any further assistance, please contact Samsung again and we will be more than happy to help.
So there you go no point flashing to later gingerbread, I also had a phone conversation with samsung uk where they confirmed to me that we would be getting ics in the next few weeks.
Hi I was getting very fustrated when I purchased my galaxy s2 to find out 3 months later that all my mates are on newer firmware even though they are tied to a network which is usually wrong!!
Anyway i send this email to samsung!!!!!
Hi I have a galaxy s2 phone but there seem to be many people in the uk with the same problem. we all have uk unbranded handsets as in they are no tied to a network. They generally seem to be brought by the likes of phones 4 u. I will list my phone details below, it seems that they have stopped updating the firmware for these phone in the uk, All the network tied mobiles like o2, orange etc have all had two updates where we are all stuck on 2.3.4. Basically just want to make sure that this email PLEASE PLEASE gets passed on and added to the update lists again.We are hoping that we get put to ICS but seeing as we are still stuck on 2.3.4 i havent got my hopes up!
* PDA : I9100XWKI4
* PHONE : I9100XXKI1*
CSC : I9100XEUKH2
* Anyway this was the reply!
Thank you for yoru email.* I am sorry to hear that you are concerned about the updates available for your phone.* If your phone is not tied to a network and is running 2.3.4, this is the most up to date version of the operating system available.* The versions 2.3.5 and 2.3.6 were released to resolve issues with this phone that was only occurring when they were tied to network. For unbranded phones these issues did not occur and so the update was not released. In all other respects these updates are identical to 2.3.4.* If you require any further assistance, please contact Samsung again and we will be more than happy to help.
So there you go no point flashing to later gingerbread, I also had a phone conversation with samsung uk where they confirmed to me that we would be getting ics in the next few weeks.
Define "few". Could be anything.
Well ive always said couple of weeks is 2 and a few is 3 there is are alot of posts no online all saying ics will be released on sgs2 on 1st march
That "lot of posts" all base their info on the same one-line tweet from a blogger. It might be true, it might not.... all we can do is wait for official word.
Medion
Android Expert
Why is it that network branded phones have already got 2.3.5 but sim free don't, and also why does he galaxy s get android 2.3.5 before the galaxy s2?!
It's like the world of Samsung has gone mad!!
Samsung merges any of their handset specific changes into the current version of Android that they are working on. At the time that they finished the changes that they needed for the sim-free version, they were on 2.3.4. However, the carriers each had their own unique issues, so these issues would be patched in with the most recent version available (2.3.5 or 2.3.6).
From what I've seen, the ONLY thing different from the unbranded 2.3.4 and some of the carrier versions is the overscroll replaced with a blue glow. Even the battery changes seem to be included in our 2.3.4 edition.
I haven't seen one reason to "upgrade" from this official build to one of the more recent carrier/country builds, although I did try it once.