Does anyone have experience on what the android updates were like on Nexus phones bought via carriers? I know the Galaxy Nexus had Android updates heavily delayed through Verizon; was it the same situation with the Nexus 5 purchased through Sprint (and T-Mobile, maybe)?
I'm due for a new phone at the end of the year and was leaning toward the Moto X, but if the rumored ATT price is true, I'm going for the Nexus 6, but I'm not sure I want to deal with significant delays (a month or two is acceptable to me) in android updates.
Thanks for any and all help.
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SprintWe know there is one version for international and another for the americas, so it appears as though google will be controlling the updates even on verizon.
Edit:
Android Police lists the following supported bands:
Here are the bands for the Americas SKU:
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
CDMA: Band Class: 0/1/10
WCDMA: Bands: 1/2/4/5/8
LTE: Bands: 2/3/4/5/7/12/13/17/25/26/29/41
CA DL: Bands: B2-B13, B2-B17, B2-29, B4-B5, B4-B13, B4-B17, B4-B29
And for the international version:
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
CDMA: not supported
WCDMA: Bands: 1/2/4/5/6/8/9/19
LTE: Bands: 1/3/5/7/8/9/19/20/28/41
CA DL: B3-B5, B3-B8
Source
Google controls the update on the nexus 5. The carriers get no say in the matter. This is because the nexus 5 sold through sprint is the exact same as the nexus 5 sold through the carriers.
This should be the case with the nexus 6, as there are still only two versions - americas and international
Verizon may throw a wrench in there though. I would be hesitant to buy through verizon.
That's great to hear, thanks! I'm on AT&T (don't want to leave due to my 35% monthly discount via my employer) so hopefully they don't mess with things either.
And I know the ATT price isn't confirmed and that it's been pulled, but I'm still crossing my fingers.
I don't see any of the Nexus phones on AT&T's site. Wouldn't you have to purchase from Google and just start using it? AT&T would have nothing to do with updates that way.
Nexus phones were previously sold through the Google Play Store. None of the carriers had access to them. This year is the first time Google will be selling to the carriers.
The advantage with buying it from a carrier would be lower cost. If the person is sticking with the carrier for 2 years, and don't mind the associated contract, why bother paying full price if the carrier is willing to subsidize it for you?I don't see any of the Nexus phones on AT&T's site. Wouldn't you have to purchase from Google and just start using it? AT&T would have nothing to do with updates that way.
IMHO The Nexus 6 is the single most significant smartphone of our time, in its size class. This is a world class product created by Google and Motorola's finest.
All products are comprised of a series of compromises caused by the multitude of considerations and limitations. This Nexus is the result of these two companies working very diligently to create a truly outstanding finished product. I have no problem with that statement even before the reviews are in.
I predict the Nexus 6 will receive excellent reviews and quite possibly rival the Note 4 in sales volume.
Perhaps I'm completely wrong... Time will tell
That's not entirely true... The Galaxy Nexus was sold by Sprint and Verizon. The Nexus 5 was sold by Sprint (and T-mo I think)
The CDMA version of the Galaxy Nexus was a "fake" Nexus - didn't get timely updates - always delayed by Sprint/Verizon. But the Nexus 5 got updates directly from Google (even when purchased from Sprint or T-mo).
Based on that, I'd expect (no guarantees of course) that the Nexus 6 will get updates from Google directly - it is only model for US carriers, so same factory images for all.
The advantage with buying it from a carrier would be lower cost. If the person is sticking with the carrier for 2 years, and don't mind the associated contract, why bother paying full price if the carrier is willing to subsidize it for you?
Would an att Nexus 6 have att bloatware??
I would almost say you are right. Except for the fact that it is still 32-bit. If this phone was 64-bit, it would be a game changer and very worthy of that price.
I would almost say you are right. Except for the fact that it is still 32-bit. If this phone was 64-bit, it would be a game changer and very worthy of that price.
I'm with Verizon now, and the past issues the carrier had when they had the Galaxy Nexus makes me hesitant to stay with them if I decide to get this phone.
Getting it through the Google Play store assures me that I'd have a bloatware free experience, and since I'd have to buy it at full price anyway (to keep my unlimited data), I may just get it unlocked and move over to Straight Talk. Since I don't use much data anyway, I'm not sold on keeping the unlimited plan, and with Straight Talk I could save myself $30 a month over what I pay now.
The problem with the GN is that the Verizon version was specific to them. When with the N6 we are looking at just 2 versions North America and rest of the world. So that should solve all the issues with software updates.
I do worry about the Nexus 6 having slower updates or causing updates to all devices to be slower due to the carriers. Everyone is making the argument that since it's unlocked the carrier don't have a say. To this, I offer the LTE Nexus 7 tablet. When the 4.4.3 updates came out for other devices, this tablet stayed on 4.4.2. When the 4.4.4 update came out for other devices, it was still on 4.4.2. A month after 4.4.4 came out, the 4.4.3 update for the LTE Nexus 7. Only a couple weeks ago did the 4.4.4 update come out for it. Also notice than an Android L preview didn't come out for the LTE Nexus 7, but did for the WiFi version. Because of this, I have a strong suspicion that the 5.0 update will be slow rolling out to the LTE Nexus 7. And what is the common denominator for all of this.... the LTE Nexus 7 can run on Verizon......
An att phone without att bloat!! I need to see it to believe it!!!
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