HTC One M9, Samsung Galaxy S6 and Android

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matisyahu

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#177074 21-Jul-2015 07:11

Well I'm feeling a little itchy about my iPhone right now and having a look at the alternatives that exist but the big concern is receiving regular updates in regards to Android. How about the S6 and M9 been in terms of receiving updates on the Spark NZ network? what is the latest version of Android available for each of them? I'm tempted by the Huawei P8 but concerned that given their history in the 'low end market' that there will be a lack of regular Android updates and security fixes going forward.

"When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happier if it is called 'the People's Stick'"

johnr

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#1348141 21-Jul-2015 07:18

If you worry so much about updates the buy a Nokia 5110i

matisyahu

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#1348155 21-Jul-2015 08:13

johnr: If you worry so much about updates the buy a Nokia 5110i

"When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happier if it is called 'the People's Stick'"

MitchellC

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#1348169 21-Jul-2015 08:47

I just got the S6 on Spark after ditching the iPhone 6. Current version of Android is 5.0.2. I know that 5.1 is rolling out overseas, hopefully it isn't too long until we have it available to us through our carrier.

matisyahu

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#1348267 21-Jul-2015 11:15

MitchellC: I just got the S6 on Spark after ditching the iPhone 6. Current version of Android is 5.0.2. I know that 5.1 is rolling out overseas, hopefully it isn't too long until we have it available to us through our carrier.

I'm going to go for the HTC One M9 mainly because of the sdcard slot and HTC Sync is the least offensive when using it to sync on OS X.

"When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happier if it is called 'the People's Stick'"

Wade

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#1348301 21-Jul-2015 11:52

If you are worried about updates then consider the Motorola Moto X, Motorola have been incredibly quick to market of recent times

IMHO neither HTC or Samsung's update cycle is acceptable, especially here in NZ

Dairyxox

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#1348305 21-Jul-2015 11:57

Probably nothing you don't know, but Samsung usually start out pretty good with updates on their flagship phones, but after a year or so can be notoriously slow.
For example I've got a Spark 4G variant of the Galaxy Tab S which was one of their flagship tablets, and its still on Kitkat.

One of the benefits of getting a popular android handset is aftermarket ROM availability. So if Samsung are slow, the community will fill the gap. How likely are you to load a custom rom?

The unknown here is how the developers will take to the exynos 'whatever' the S6 has, vs the (more widely supported) Qualcom chipset that the HTC One m9 uses.

The Hauwei phone looks really nice too, but Huawei are really bad at providing updated OS's for their phones historically too.

What iPhone do you have, and what problems are making you anxious about it?

dafman

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#1348317 21-Jul-2015 12:20

There's also the Sony Xperia Z3 which is currently running lollipop - Sony have upped their game recently with updates. Plus it's the closest to stock android and really great phone to boot.

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matisyahu

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#1348397 21-Jul-2015 15:33

I've bit the bullet and went for the HTC One M9 - very happy so far. Installing the many updates are available for it.

"When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happier if it is called 'the People's Stick'"

jeffnz

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#1348401 21-Jul-2015 15:47

Not sure why people get all carried away with updates with android, it is what it is really and unless you go to a google phone you will most likely be frustrated. As far as updating and sync software, I wouldn't be using any other than what is on the phone, Kies is rubbish and I know of no one that uses it. Google syns's data well and updating on Samsung phones is simple just grab software from Sammobile and flash using Odin, HTC is somewhat more complicated from my experience with an HTC One X.

To be honest I was running android 5.1.1 on my S5 but with S6 I haven't even got root access and its fine. The update to 5.1.1 isn't a huge leap and I see there are some issues and questions about battery life so wouldn't be in a rush to get the latest and greatest unless you get into Custom roms as that is where you will get the best from your device.

I was concerned with teh lack of ext SD in S6 soo bought a 64gb one no problems , however then I found that for $5.75 I could get a tiny USB OTG that you put up to a 32gb Micro SD into and it plugs in the usb slot on phone and can be used as ext SD, cheaper than buying the extra 32gb, hindsight not researching etc etc.

My biggest problem is getting used to having to charge a phone as normally would only change battery when needed but with wireless charger its just a matter on using it every night. The fast charger is great although I wonder how much it shortens the life.

On the plus side for the S6, the screen and camera are great a huge difference over previous models. Good also that Sammy cut back on bloat but still some there that is annoying.

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matisyahu

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#1349781 22-Jul-2015 13:36

jeffnz: Not sure why people get all carried away with updates with android, it is what it is really and unless you go to a google phone you will most likely be frustrated. As far as updating and sync software, I wouldn't be using any other than what is on the phone, Kies is rubbish and I know of no one that uses it. Google syns's data well and updating on Samsung phones is simple just grab software from Sammobile and flash using Odin, HTC is somewhat more complicated from my experience with an HTC One X.

To be honest I was running android 5.1.1 on my S5 but with S6 I haven't even got root access and its fine. The update to 5.1.1 isn't a huge leap and I see there are some issues and questions about battery life so wouldn't be in a rush to get the latest and greatest unless you get into Custom roms as that is where you will get the best from your device.

I was concerned with teh lack of ext SD in S6 soo bought a 64gb one no problems , however then I found that for $5.75 I could get a tiny USB OTG that you put up to a 32gb Micro SD into and it plugs in the usb slot on phone and can be used as ext SD, cheaper than buying the extra 32gb, hindsight not researching etc etc.

My biggest problem is getting used to having to charge a phone as normally would only change battery when needed but with wireless charger its just a matter on using it every night. The fast charger is great although I wonder how much it shortens the life.

On the plus side for the S6, the screen and camera are great a huge difference over previous models. Good also that Sammy cut back on bloat but still some there that is annoying.

The reason why many are carried away' about updates is getting bugs fixed and security fixes provided - it isn't about having the latest and greatest but ensuring that we have a safe and secure phone.

I've got the HTC One M9 and threw in a 128GB microsd - everything is going well so far.

"When the people are being beaten with a stick, they are not much happier if it is called 'the People's Stick'"