Will I be able to upgrade from android 5 to android 6 without changing phones or will it become obsolete like windows HP and Vista ?
Here is some info on updates to the android 8 OS
https://www.androidauthority.com/android-8-0-update-784308/
Which phone model do you have?
It all depends upon the manufacturer. Given that the most current Android OS is in the 7 range, chances are strong that any device still in the 5 range will be staying right where it is.
Verizon Wireless has a page that gives devices, OS and date of last update.
Android units are usually updated for two years. Windows mobile devices vary (although Microsoft has said 2019 is the end of the line for W10M). iPhones are supported longer.
Given the vast number of computers running Windows XP, Microsoft supported the OS for a very long time. Interestingly enough, some computers running XP are still being used today.
Dexman I read that you could upgrade (not updates) to android 6 if you are using 5 if and when they stop updating 5..? Kinda like the way win 10 is supposed to be now it just upgrades.
Thanks
Ann I have a LG Zone 3
If Google and LG wished to upgrade the device to Marshmallow, an update would be pushed to Verizon Wireless. While there are workarounds, officially, the lack of an update means that the end of the line has been reached.
I am confused are you saying that android 5 will not be supported with security updates but it will still work?
Thanks everyone guess it still boils down to buyer beware. Since I did not know that there were OS on cell phones that could become outdated,I bought the phone I bought .At least when you buy a computer they are up front as to the OS on it. Here you have to load each phones specs separately to see what OS is loaded.Then go back and forth to see which phone has which OS on it.
They should let you search for a phone with the OS being a filter then your looking at only phones loaded with that OS like buying a computer.
The compare function is worthless unless you know the OS in the first place.
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Like Kathy said it would probably still be usable without updates just not secure for data saved on it.
Smartphones can be filtered by OS. Right now, there are two to choose from....Android and iOS.
If/when HP decides to introduce it's Verizon Wireless version of the X3 Elite smartphone, then Windows 10 Mobile will return for a short stay.
The rule of thumb is 2 years of OS upgrades for Android and Windows Mobile devices. Somewhat longer cycles for iOS.
Sorry I meant version not OS.
Android 5,6, 7 etc
dexman wrote:
I'd have to agree with that. If you aren't already on 6, your phone isn't likely to get 7 or 8.
The ability to filter on Android version might be beneficial, but in the end, I'm not sure how much.
It's unfortunately up to the consumer to research suggested or recommended phones in the Android landscape. Consider when it's been introduced, and if it's already received an OS update or security patches. To some, a phone is a phone and they hold little to no brand loyalty. A notable exception is in the Apple/iOS vs. Android decision. Once one becomes familiar with their Android vs. iOS devices, I think they tend to stick to that decision.
Then there are people like me who prefer Android that have early familiarity with one particular manufacturer, and if their prior history with devices from that company have not provided them any significant problems over the years, tend to stick with that manufacturer. So when upgrading, their choice is much simpler.
There is a app from the play store that says it will give your phone the look of marshmallow. Don't know if that is actually what you were looking for but it would be the next best thing since I don't think Verizon is going to update your phone to android 6(marshmallow)
For the devices that you simply cannot upgrade to Android Marshmallow 6.0.1 Google has released official Google Now Launcher that will transform your ordinary looking old version into the latest android 6.0 UI.
Google Now Launcher - Android Apps on Google Play
kathy thanks I saw that already and that is not what i was thinking.
I was thinking that android 5 will go the way of a dinosaur like vista and xp have for windows if the os system does not update.
Just because it is obsolete, doesn't mean that it won't work.
