android firmware frequent upgrade : is it really necessary??

[icedtea]

hi, just wondering, is it really necessary to update the firmware from time to time? example, we have the GB 2.3.3 as the stock firmware (i believe) of the S2. . then came, 2.3.4 saying that i have a good battery life. . so i believe almost of all of us, upgraded to it. . . then comes 2.3.5 and so on.. .

now, we have ICS 4.0 .. but i am seeing 4.0.4 already. (mine is 4.0.3) from GB 2.3.6 (started at 2.3.3)

is it really necessary to do this upgrade? i have been hearing that android is a "stable" unit. so no need on frequent update (unless its a major one) Gingerbread to ICS (is a major jump) ---> like this.

if the answer to my question.. is yes, then meaning. if we have 4.0.4 now.. then is it necessary to update again if 4.0.5 and so on comes?

(before the rumored jellybean 5.0) is released?

hope your answers can enlighten me

 

[Forbidden 403]

Well the frequency of updating your phone is entirely dependent on you.

You even need not update the major update from GB to ICS unless you want to, and more importantly unless you want to reap the benefits.

I personally am a flashing/update freak, I keep updating to the latest stable version as and when I can.

Basically it's a universal recommendation to update to the major releases like GB -> ICS -> JellyBean (rumoured) [side note JB is a long time away]
Some of the minor updates are just minor tweaks but some of them actually fix many bugs and fix security loopholes all the while improving performance.

Even on the same version, such as 4.0.3, you have many firmware versions being released, such as LPQ, LPS, LP7, LP8. Even if you do not progressively update these versions you should definitely update when a new version like 4.0.4 or 4.0.5 is released OFFICIALLY.

This is just a short explanation, hope it helps. If you wish for a more detailed explanation of versions and updates feel free to ask, I'll post in detail overnight (it will be a long long post )

 

[saleando]

it depends on what kind of smartphone user are you.

 

[Forbidden 403]

it depends on what kind of smartphone user are you.

that's true, but my recommendation is that whenever an update like 4.0.3 -> 4.0.4 -> 4.0.5 comes you should update. It necessarily means that google has come up with some fix or update to the core android SDK.

Whereas when sammy keeps coming up with updates like LPQ -> LPS -> LP7 those are updates by Sammy and their tinkering. Those might be fixes by sammy but the android core is the same. So it's more of an optional update if you are already on a stable firmware.

 

[icedtea]

hmmm maybe i was just comparing the minor updates to the linux kernel i am in the state of not too much of a "minor update" fan but more of "major changes" update fan. for example, there's a lot update/changes from the perf of 4.0.3 to 4.0.8 .. maybe i could consider. but from 0.3 - 0.4 - 0.5 .. not that much. actually, im after the :

battery perf
response time perf
camera/video perfs
application perf (no to hang ups of course )

frequent update of kernel/modem have no issues to me especially if it really boost up the perf. since its just under CWM

 

[Forbidden 403]

Well the 4.0.4 update is rumored to have better battery performance than before

 

[Slug]

is it really necessary to update the firmware from time to time?

The only updates I would term "necessary" are those offered by the manufacturer/carrier, as there's usually a reason such as fixing bugs, optimising settings etc.

 

[dunjamon]

I'm with Forbidden 403...I HAVE to have the newest version of everything!

Also, I think you'll be missing out on new apps, as they will start to be targeted towards ICS users, with less support for GB.

 

[Slug]

I HAVE to have the newest version of everything!

In that case check the build date carefully. A higher version number doesn't necessarily mean "newest".

Also, I think you'll be missing out on new apps, as they will start to be targeted towards ICS users, with less support for GB.

That's highly unlikely.

 

[icedtea]

Thanks for the inputs. . . as of now, need to maximize the perf of 4.0.3 . .. maybe i will patch this when there's a 4.0.8 .. OR shall i say if the rumored jellybean comes. .

kernel / modem patching will suffice me as of now