Android 1 not what I hoped it was.

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OldGeek

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# 251517 28-Jun-2019 21:14

Late last year I bought a Nokia 6.1, which is part of the Android 1 program. I was attracted to this program by the notion that the OS on these phones was supplied and maintained directly by Google rather than the manufacturer. I have now found out that this is not the case, and the impact of this is that OS updates (both security and maintenance) come via the manufacturer, not direct from Google.

With Android 1, the handset manufacturer supplies and maintains Android as Google supplies it. Other phones contain a version of Android that is supplied by Google originally but may have been modified or added to by the manufacturer.

Buying an Android 1 phone therefore provides no better OS support levels, it simply guarantees manufacturer modifications and/or additions are not present.

My 6.1 handset came with Android 8, which was upgraded to 9 automatically within weeks. I had been receiving security patches up to April 2019. Since then no further security patches have come through, and this is because Nokia are not releasing them for this device yet. Not what I hoped I had bought into.

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# 2266587 29-Jun-2019 07:56

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That wasn't my understanding either.

That said, unless Google make Android work like iOS in so far as taking control of it throughout the entire world, refusing to allow handset makers to tinker, I don't see it changing much.

So far, Samsung have been less tardy than usual with my S10+ in terms of software updates but not sure how long that will last.

zyo

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# 2266591 29-Jun-2019 08:38

Android one does promise monthly security updates (on their website) so this is definitely disappointing.

Having said that Android One is usually a (really) low margin business so I wouldn't be surprised if manufacturers cut corners if they have to shoulder the responsibility of update. Personally the pure Android experience and promised two years of major os updates plus the price is still attractive. The missing monthly security update isn't a deal breaker for most users (some people even hates windows updates)

OldGeek

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# 2266601 29-Jun-2019 08:56

The Android 1 updates promised by Google are delivered to the manufacturer, not the hanset.

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gzt

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# 2266603 29-Jun-2019 09:01

OldGeek:My 6.1 handset came with Android 8, which was upgraded to 9 automatically within weeks. I had been receiving security patches up to April 2019. Since then no further security patches have come through, and this is because Nokia are not releasing them for this device yet. Not what I hoped I had bought into.

Imo this could be a temporary rollout strategy pause for Nokia.

If you look at this table - Nokia 5 has the June update. Pureview 9 does not. Imo looks like they are rolling out on the lower end first and updating everyone else after a verification period. Potentially there is some roadbump they are working out.

https://www.nokia.com/phones/en_int/security-updates

qwerty123

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# 2267729 1-Jul-2019 12:09

OldGeek:

Late last year I bought a Nokia 6.1, which is part of the Android 1 program. I was attracted to this program by the notion that the OS on these phones was supplied and maintained directly by Google rather than the manufacturer. I have now found out that this is not the case, and the impact of this is that OS updates (both security and maintenance) come via the manufacturer, not direct from Google.

With Android 1, the handset manufacturer supplies and maintains Android as Google supplies it. Other phones contain a version of Android that is supplied by Google originally but may have been modified or added to by the manufacturer.

Buying an Android 1 phone therefore provides no better OS support levels, it simply guarantees manufacturer modifications and/or additions are not present.

Wonder where that notion came from. Participation in Android One just requires from OEMs unmodified Android UI, unmodified Google Services, 2y of OS updates, 3y of maintenance updates, while some "minimum" of bloatware is allowed (Nokia is notorious of bundling Evenwell crap). Project Treble allowed to decouple Android update process from SoC manufacturers, but OEM's bloatware and things like OEM camera apps are still tightly coupled. No way updates can come directly from Google.

My 6.1 handset came with Android 8, which was upgraded to 9 automatically within weeks. I had been receiving security patches up to April 2019. Since then no further security patches have come through, and this is because Nokia are not releasing them for this device yet. Not what I hoped I had bought into.

Nokia already rolled May update for 6.1 out and is rolling June update for 6.1 out now (at least in Europe).

OldGeek

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# 2267904 1-Jul-2019 18:15

qwerty123:

OldGeek:

Late last year I bought a Nokia 6.1, which is part of the Android 1 program. I was attracted to this program by the notion that the OS on these phones was supplied and maintained directly by Google rather than the manufacturer. I have now found out that this is not the case, and the impact of this is that OS updates (both security and maintenance) come via the manufacturer, not direct from Google.

With Android 1, the handset manufacturer supplies and maintains Android as Google supplies it. Other phones contain a version of Android that is supplied by Google originally but may have been modified or added to by the manufacturer.

Buying an Android 1 phone therefore provides no better OS support levels, it simply guarantees manufacturer modifications and/or additions are not present.

Wonder where that notion came from. Participation in Android One just requires from OEMs unmodified Android UI, unmodified Google Services, 2y of OS updates, 3y of maintenance updates, while some "minimum" of bloatware is allowed (Nokia is notorious of bundling Evenwell crap). Project Treble allowed to decouple Android update process from SoC manufacturers, but OEM's bloatware and things like OEM camera apps are still tightly coupled. No way updates can come directly from Google.

My 6.1 handset came with Android 8, which was upgraded to 9 automatically within weeks. I had been receiving security patches up to April 2019. Since then no further security patches have come through, and this is because Nokia are not releasing them for this device yet. Not what I hoped I had bought into.

Nokia already rolled May update for 6.1 out and is rolling June update for 6.1 out now (at least in Europe).

My latest security update is 1 April 2019. I have asked Nokia support why this reports as 'up to date' knowing there are later updates. Their answer is updates are rolled out when they deem it appropriate. They would supply no commitment to when or if further updates will be made available to my handset.

I have experience in IT but not modern OSs on consumer hardware - so I was simply taken in by the blurb at android.com/one. If security updates stop coming there is no practical action that can be taken. The retailer is NZ-based (Parallel Imported) but they cannot make updates happen.

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Gilco2

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# 2267907 1-Jul-2019 18:34

my Spark bought Nokia 7 plus still on April update but my Nokia 8.1 has the June update. Who knows why some get quick updates and others dont

qwerty123

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# 2267964 1-Jul-2019 20:19

OldGeek:

I have experience in IT but not modern OSs on consumer hardware - so I was simply taken in by the blurb at android.com/one. If security updates stop coming there is no practical action that can be taken. The retailer is NZ-based (Parallel Imported) but they cannot make updates happen.

Parallel Imported? What Nokia 6.1 model have you got? Spark distributes TA-1050

OldGeek

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# 2267986 1-Jul-2019 20:36

In System/About Phone/Model mine reports TA-1068.

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qwerty123

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# 2268010 1-Jul-2019 21:14

TA-1068 is for Hong Kong/Taiwan market. I had a similar problem with Nokia 6 (TA-1025) for US market, no updates through NZ carriers.

gzt

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# 2268024 1-Jul-2019 21:37

It's not that. The updates are not yet available for 6.1:

https://www.nokia.com/phones/en_int/security-updates

qwerty123

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# 2268042 1-Jul-2019 22:38

a) May update already available for 6.1 according to this page

b) this page is updated with a 2-3 weeks lag. If you wanna get some up to date info it's better to look at Nokia community forums (like https://community.phones.nokia.com/discussion/49341/june-update-received) or XDA

P.S. Got June update for Nokia 6 (2017), and it's also not referenced on this page yet.

gzt

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# 2268279 2-Jul-2019 10:12

I see. Likely not updating that page until rollout across is complete.

Groucho

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# 2268351 2-Jul-2019 11:56

I also have a Nokia 6.1 (TA-1050 AU/NZ) and the most recent update is 1 April 2019. From my research I was led to believe Android One would pump out security updates direct from Google servers without Nokia input as well.

That said it's an incredible value phone for the money, OS updates or not. There are a number of updates regularly released through the Play Store which are for core apps like Phone and Gboard so support is still being chipped away at.

old3eyes

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# 2269034 3-Jul-2019 09:34

Groucho:

I also have a Nokia 6.1 (TA-1050 AU/NZ) and the most recent update is 1 April 2019. From my research I was led to believe Android One would pump out security updates direct from Google servers without Nokia input as well.

That said it's an incredible value phone for the money, OS updates or not. There are a number of updates regularly released through the Play Store which are for core apps like Phone and Gboard so support is still being chipped away at.

My wife's 7 Plus shows April 01 as the latest update. Is this the end of the updates or are they just a couple of months behind??

Regards,

Old3eyes

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