Android 6.0 was released on October 2015. Why isn't it available on Verizon Samsung Galaxy 6 Edge devices? A query of the phone says it is fully updated at Android Version 5.1.1 which clearly does not reflect the current release of Android software. Wh
JimR223
Newbie

Why is Verizon so slow to make software releases on Verizon sold smart phones?

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Re: Android 6.0 was released on October 2015. Why isn't it available on Verizon Samsung Galaxy 6 Edge devices? A query of the phone says it is fully updated at Android Version 5.1.1 which clearly does not reflect the current release of Android software.
radar320
Contributor - Level 2

Google releases the updates to the manufacturers, who then put their individual spin on it.  It is then released to the carriers who add their bloatware, then test it to see how it works.  If something doesn't play nice with an item of bloatware, they send it back to the manufacturer, ie Samsung, and the process begins again.  This is why Verizon is almost always the last one to push out an update.

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Re: Android 6.0 was released on October 2015. Why isn't it available on Verizon Samsung Galaxy 6 Edge devices? A query of the phone says it is fully updated at Android Version 5.1.1 which clearly does not reflect the current release of Android software.
radar320
Contributor - Level 2

Google releases the updates to the manufacturers, who then put their individual spin on it.  It is then released to the carriers who add their bloatware, then test it to see how it works.  If something doesn't play nice with an item of bloatware, they send it back to the manufacturer, ie Samsung, and the process begins again.  This is why Verizon is almost always the last one to push out an update.

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Re: Android 6.0 was released on October 2015. Why isn't it available on Verizon Samsung Galaxy 6 Edge devices? A query of the phone says it is fully updated at Android Version 5.1.1 which clearly does not reflect the current release of Android software.
Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader

Your steps are out of order. HTC posted publicly the real world steps. Samsung and the other manufacturers follow a similar process. HTC Software Updates Process | HTC United States

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

Re: Android 6.0 was released on October 2015.  Why isn't it available on Verizon Samsung Galaxy 6 Edge devices?  A query of the phone says it is fully updated at Android Version 5.1.1 which clearly does not reflect the current release of Android software.
radar320
Contributor - Level 2

Thank you for posting that. Good explanation of the process. Verizon is still behind in pushing the updates on a consistent basis.  They get even slower when a new phone is about to be released with the new version of android.

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Re: Android 6.0 was released on October 2015.  Why isn't it available on Verizon Samsung Galaxy 6 Edge devices?  A query of the phone says it is fully updated at Android Version 5.1.1 which clearly does not reflect the current release of Android software.
Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader

Verizon isn't always the slowest to release updates to their phone models. It is more dependant on the phone itself. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and the other carriers still have phones waiting for updates. Verizon Wireless has actually had a number of phone models get updates before the other carriers' models.

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

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Re: Android 6.0 was released on October 2015.  Why isn't it available on Verizon Samsung Galaxy 6 Edge devices?  A query of the phone says it is fully updated at Android Version 5.1.1 which clearly does not reflect the current release of Android software.
Ann154
Community Leader
Community Leader

I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.

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Re: Android 6.0 was released on October 2015. Why isn't it available on Verizon Samsung Galaxy 6 Edge devices? A query of the phone says it is fully updated at Android Version 5.1.1 which clearly does not reflect the current release of Android software.
smith6612
Community Leader
Community Leader

Verizon works through a certification process with the OEMs before releasing a software update. Each carrier can take a certain amount of time to do this.

In the case of Android 6.0 - Many OEMs don't even have finalized customized images for their phones built yet. Samsung isn't slated to begin rollout until end of Q1 per their roadmap. Verizon will start to see those updates pushed Q1 to Q2.

If you need Marshmallow or the latest OS updates off the bat, go with a Nexus device. Those always get the updates first.

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Re: Android 6.0 was released on October 2015. Why isn't it available on Verizon Samsung Galaxy 6 Edge devices? A query of the phone says it is fully updated at Android Version 5.1.1 which clearly does not reflect the current release of Android software.
ilikeverizonwireless

Similar problem we windows phone users had.  But, there is a saying that slow and steady win the race.  Have you ever wondered why there are many updates on other carriers, its not because for new features, its because they discovered a problem that the phone causes to their service.

Verizon wireless are very nice people Smiley Happy.  They really care about your time, and I presume they really want you to have a good time with your phone, and spend less times with problems with your phone.  Thus they try to make sure in depth as possible that the operating system update on your phone, will not have any bugs that will interfere with their service or apps. 

So in the end you are paying for what you wanted and getting the clear and nice carrier service from Verizon.

_________________TO make all that short________________

I presume Verizon knows what they are doing, and they are doing it for the good of their service. 

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Re: Android 6.0 was released on October 2015. Why isn't it available on Verizon Samsung Galaxy 6 Edge devices? A query of the phone says it is fully updated at Android Version 5.1.1 which clearly does not reflect the current release of Android software.
pherson
Champion - Level 1

If you want a particular software version on your phone, wait till it comes out before you buy the phone.

Re: Android 6.0 was released on October 2015. Why isn't it available on Verizon Samsung Galaxy 6 Edge devices? A query of the phone says it is fully updated at Android Version 5.1.1 which clearly does not reflect the current release of Android software.
JimR223
Newbie

Is that something like waiting to buy the "definitive" smartphone? If that were the case I would still be using and old flip phone.

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