Galaxy Note 4 Android 5.1.1 Update - VZW FAIL

[emlspencer]

I am beyond irritated that as the flagship of exactly one year, Verizon continues to provide less than vague answers as to when we will be receiving this update.  I used to laugh at Sprint as a provider and swore that I'd never consider AT&T again as an option.  However, I have been awaiting Android 5.1.1 since June this year and have watched carries such as Spring and AT&T release 5.1.1 to their customers.  At this point, considering I pay about $125/month, I have been investigating other carriers and their service records and can honestly say, I am considering paying the fee to break my contract with Verizon to receive support and tech that keeps current.  In my estimation, Verizon should be offering credit to those of us that have been waiting months to receive this update to our [removed] devices which haven't worked properly since 5.0.1 was released.  I've been a customer with Verizon for 10+ years and can honestly say I have never been so disappointed with the service or lack thereof.   Get with it Verizon.  Stop treating your customers, whom are probably paying the highest bills based on the handset of their choice, like second rate piles of [removed].

I'm rather curious how much time and money was spent on Verizon creating their fancy new logo - perhaps the developers, designers and others on that team should have focused their energy on testing and releasing the update for their note 4 customers.

VERIZON FAIL!!!!!

[Removal required by the Verizon Wireless Terms of Service]

[Snn5]

Sensationalism.

[Doing_work_son]

Warning : bust out some popcorn or a spritzer for this....very legitimate points made here.

The situation is becoming comical and absurd! Here's a fun fact for everyone, the original Moto G (2013) is receiving Android 5.1.1 today! This puts it all in perspective as to where Verizon puts us Note 4 users. The Note 4 is Verizon's Red Headed Step Child! If the 2nd leaked Samsung Marshmallow schedule from today is accurate (looks promising though as the Note 5 is scheduled to get Marshmallow in December and a T-Mobile Carrier Note 5 user already has a Marshmallow OTA build running on his Note 5, as of a few days ago) the Note 4 is scheduled to receive the Android 6.0 Marshmallow update in February of 2016.

So for those of you hoping that Verizon skips an update of 5.1.1 and jumps to Marshmallow for our Note 4's, we are in for a seriously long wait then! Not only do we need to wait until February of next year when Samsung pushes it out to the International and Unlocked models first, then most US carriers will push it out around that time frame. Verizon will "thoroughly" test and test and test it until late April or May (basically what happened with the Lollipop update, I'd use that slow time frame as reference) and then we could see it roll out OTA (only around 2 months after the other big 3 carriers push it put).

By then though, Google will have already pushed out a new build of bug squashing updates for Marshmallow (perhaps 6.0.1 or 6.1, who knows) and then I'm sure instead of releasing Android 6.0 Marshmallow for our Note 4, we will have to wait some more for Verizon to receive that new bug fixing update, because now the new build is out and they will test that for another wait (from development to OTA) of 3 - 4 months before we hopefully see any kind of meaningful update.

In the mean time we might get one tiny update that Verizon posts as 'security enhancements', just like this last previous update we received back in August that was a Stagefright patch, which we are still vulnerable to, as a new 2.0 Stagefright version is out that leaves our Note 4's vulnerable (how about at least releasing that for us Verizon??).

Sprint received Android 5.1.1 way back in August and has had a second 5.1.1 update pushed out recently as a security / bug fixer update and checking forums customers overall seem pretty happy with their Note 4's now. AT&T released 5.1.1 for their Note 4 back in October. T-Mobile and Verizon are left now.

Well, it doesn't look promising for Verizon, no OTA 6.0 Marshmallow updates have leaked or been accidently pushed to phones, while the T-Mobile Note 5 user received it just the other day and most who have encountered it say it's close.

But at least Verizon has been working on 5.1.1 updates for their 2013 Moto G! Our lovely 2014 Note 4 sits silently on the buggier 5.0.1 build of Lollipop, there is a clear showing on Verizon's part as to the priority they give us Note 4 users.

MANY months after all other carrier Note 4's received the 5.0.1 build of Lollipop, they finally pushed out old 5.0.1 to us, not even 5.0.2 (minor leap I know, but it still included some more bug fixes, enhancements and patches) that probably would have helped or would have been a nice gesture to receive while waiting a few extra months over the other Note 4 carrier models. At least with the other carriers, if a build is a bit buggy (which I can handle and expect smartphones running complex OS's to encounter, I know that no OS will be 100% bug free), they are capable of testing and pushing put another update of the same build 5.1.1, within a month or two, which is reasonable and appreciated (Sprint Note 4, Android 5.1.1 as a great example, 2 updates of 5.1.1, the initial 5.1.1 update then a bug fixer shortly after).

Anyways, thumbs up big red!!! Golf clap 🙂 Moto G.....Golf clap 🙂 LG G3...Golf clap! Oh the Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 and Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 on Verizon... Golf clap!! Let's see who else has Android 5.1.1, the Verizon Ellipsis 7 tablet!! The Nexus 7 (2014) Tablet, the 2013 and 2014 Moto X, the Verizon Galaxy Core Prime and list keeps going on for devices that have been stuffed with Android 5.1.1 on Verizon.

There is a very short list of high end or mid range devices on Verizon that don't have 5.1.1.......Guess I should have bought a 2013 phone or better yet, a Tablet, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW ON MY 12.2 INCH PHONE??!!

Sorry to all of you Note 4 and S5 owners on and very few other high end and mid range owners on Verizon, we are left out in the cold, only 6 more months (for us Note 4 owners, I'm sure other phones on Verizon will see it a little earlier at least and other same carrier phones much earlier) until we might see another big update and be able to take advantage of all the new API's, enhanced securities, refined battery and app management improvements, any memory leak or multitasking fixes, bug fixes, a patch for Stagefright 2.0, animations, stability and general speed improvements as well as apps that require Android 5.1.1 or higher to work at all or properly. Sweet!!!! Good day to you all 🙂

[gnc1956]

I am looking forward to VZW's Marshmallow update in mid-2016 because that means that my 2-years will be up paying for my Note 4 as, well as, my wife's Note 4.  At that point, 1 can terminate our contract and move on ... I can't wait to get out from under the grips of VZW poor customer service.  Loyalty means nothing to them...

20-years of faithfully paying my $240/month bill on-time, dealing with all the issues on the latest debacle will all come to an end - unfortunately just not soon enough.  The positive, I hopefully can get the latest phone on another network with great customer service, for a better price.

Another potential option -fingers crossed- maybe Google will make their own hardware and I will not have to beholden to carrier!

[Hotshoe]

Verizon has truly turned into a joke. We now have two Note phones in a row that have been abandoned, the Note 3 and Note 4. I have no contract and will be heading to AT&T  soon.

[Ann154]

The unlocked Moto G 1st Gen got the Lollipop 5.1.1 update back in July. It took Motorola until November to get the 3G EDVO only smartphone of the Moto G for Verizon Wireless updated between writing the code and getting the carrier testing process approved. That tells me that there was delays or issues that Motorola had to address. Who knows how many times the update went in for testing and failed or was pulled to start over. It is likely it was one of the updates respun after the Stagefright bug was discovered.

[j238]

Tell me why do they have to be certified in the first place... if verizon

can't test in a timely fashion.

Why can't they be just pushed out from Samsung if they let it be unlocked

fully... just like unlocked GSM phones or the nexus 6p and 5x are.

That way no blowback for the carrier and it will be all upto the

manufacturer .

[hoboX10]

Verizon's whole spiel about updates going through testing before being released is the most offensive response we can get in my opinion. If the horribly-broken and buggy 5.0.1 update is the result of your "thorough testing", then you guys must either "test" it by seeing if it installs without bootlooping the phone and then ship it off. Because this update is simply pathetic. And why you continue to lie about Samsung's update path is beyond me. Everyone knows how update cycles work - the manufacturer updates all phones within its class at the same time because they come from the same base. It is then split off per carrier for their specific changes. Somewhere in Samsung sits a completed 5.1 build for the N910V only to be told by some idiot at Verizon "no, we want to do less work and only release 1 update: 6.0"

The ironic thing about 6.0 though is going to be how buggy and broken it will be. First versions of new versions of Android are always really patchy, just like how 5.0 is. So unless Verizon miraculously manages to support whatever big bugfix update that comes after 6.0 (6.1 perhaps) then we will be totally out of luck. And I'm sure it'll go exactly as the 5.1 update did, forcing users to have to buy a new phone rather than have their current one fixed to an acceptable working state.

[mrfred]

Sadly, I'm sure front line VZW customer reps have virtually no power to influence this kind of issue within the VZW structure.  I doubt their managers have any power either.  Its the policy maker managers who need to get the message.  Unfortunately, they probably have the mindset that everyone here is a bunch of whiners about some dumb update.  Seriously, I'd bet that 90% of smart phone users have no clue that VZW routinely rolls out their updates well after other carriers.  Hell, the avg person probably don't even know that there are updates to Android.  So perhaps the decision makers feel they can ignore the whining minority.  However, I wonder what fraction of us whiners make the household decision on phones and carriers and influence the decisions of our less techy friends.  From what I've read here, it sounds like we all are in charge for our households.  Something that may bite the decision makers in the butt soon.

Dear VZW reps - I know you're just doing your job, but your canned responses are just cannon fodder for this crowd.  Its quite effective at firing up the crowd and producing a rally.  I rather enjoy it, and to the policy makers' lack of comprehension, this is probably causing more harm to VZW than good by pushing people over the edge due to the clearly feined attempt by VZW of caring about this.  A safer CYA policy for the decision makers would be to tell the reps to keep quiet.  Or perhaps the policy makers could actually say something concrete such as whether VZW is even working on a 5.1.1 update.  But I'm sure there is a good reason for not saying anything like that.  Got me on what it could be though.

[Tidbits]

Well people want answers and keep pushing them... You can't blame them for giving canned responses. If people already knew they had so little power they'd know there is no point for threads like these...

[SunsetSam]

I guess it's time to come out of Lurk mode and interject some.  My Note 4 has a battery life of maybe 4 hours.  Bought a new battery, and same story.  I guess I just have to live with swapping batteries on what was once a premium phone.  Then there are the countless times the phone just locks up with a black screen requiring a battery pull to get it to work again.   Sometimes taking a photo causes this.  So, how is this a good situation?  I didn't ask for 5.0.1.  Lollipop 5.0 was bad but this is far worse.  So I read the forums that say, just wipe your cache.  Nope.  Well, just factory reset it...  nope didn't work and now I lost a lot of stuff that Kies didn't recover.  So, I did the unthinkable today and asked work for an AT&T phone so I can at least remain productive... and that is an iPhone 6.  Guess I will find a phone that works as it's supposed to on a carrier that actually has better coverage in Texas.  Oh, forgot to mention, I was with Verizon before they were Verizon.  20+ years.... four smartphones on the account and a hefty bill each month.  My DD wants a Note 4 and I am thinking of giving her mine and trading out her iPhone 5c and getting something else, but VZW doesn't sell the 6P.... ugh.  C'mon VZW - just release 5.1.1 to us so we have working phones over Christmas and give us Marshmallow in February....  enough already....

[Ann154]

Why do you have to purchase a phone from Verizon Wireless? The Nexus 6P is available through the Google Store.

[erydzewski55]

So done with Verizon. my mothers prepaid moto g on Verizon got the 5.1.1 update! its a 60 dollar throwaway phone! my $700+ note 4 is still waiting. they obviously don't care and are not offering to make any amends. every other carrier looks pretty good right now. as soon as my other lines are out of contract so long Verizon unless you fix this.

[Tidbits]

The G will no longer get updates. So don't expect 6.0 or higher. Straight from Motorola.

[erydzewski55]

at least it got 5.1.1. at this point ill have a new phone before i get 5.1.1. considering the moto g came out of the box with 4.3 it has gotten 2 major updates (kitkat and lollipop). sprint has had 5.1.1 for almost 3 months now.

[Tidbits]

Sprint been having problems with it.  Just look at their forums.  AT&T also, but to find them you have to search for it as AT&T makes their forums almost unusable.  T-Mobile version doesn't have it either, and I wouldn't expect it to be as they are skipping 5.1.1 for 6.0.  Verizon may be very well doing people a favor, and NOT ONE PERSON has shown anything definitive that Samsung did finish the update and gave it to Verizon.  A low level rep is not such a source.  Get it from some upper management and it would hold clout, and would be on the record.

So what it has 5.1.1 there are people who will tell you otherwise it works well on it's own right.  Sometimes what is wrong isn't the update itself.  Sometimes it's the old outdated software people install on their phones from cheap, and lazy developers who try and maximize profits, but I don't know anything carry on.

[Zacharee1]

I'm fairly certain that Samsung releases one update for all carriers. Yes, I know the different carriers have different technologies, but I see no reason for Samsung to develop an OS that works on GSM-only US carriers, another one to work on Global US phones and then others to support the specific radio bands in different countries. That just makes no sense. Why wouldn't Samsung just release an OS that has the capability to work on all carriers the phone is made for and let the carriers decide what to do with these capabilities? We already know the carrier likes to be in charge, so why wouldn't it be in this case? Besides, even if Samsung happens to make 5+ different OSes for each product line, why would it take them over seven months to release it to Verizon? We already know that Samsung is late, although it has released 5.1.1. We also know Verizon's reputation for taking a long time to release updates other carriers have had before.So why would this case be any different? Why would Samsung fracture its update timing so much, even if it does split them up? Why would all the other carriers get the update but Verizon after over seven months? That makes no sense. It may be that Verizon has seen how, for a lot of people, 5.1.1 hasn't fixed anything, and it may be that they're waiting for a fix (6.0 I guess). But they could have at least told us that they were skipping it (if they are), or given us the update, even if it doesn't do anything. False security and placebo go a long way.

[Tidbits]

Zacharee1 wrote:

I'm fairly certain that Samsung releases one update for all carriers. Yes, I know the different carriers have different technologies, but I see no reason for Samsung to develop an OS that works on GSM-only US carriers, another one to work on Global US phones and then others to support the specific radio bands in different countries. That just makes no sense. Why wouldn't Samsung just release an OS that has the capability to work on all carriers the phone is made for and let the carriers decide what to do with these capabilities? We already know the carrier likes to be in charge, so why wouldn't it be in this case? Besides, even if Samsung happens to make 5+ different OSes for each product line, why would it take them over seven months to release it to Verizon? We already know that Samsung is late, although it has released 5.1.1. We also know Verizon's reputation for taking a long time to release updates other carriers have had before.So why would this case be any different? Why would Samsung fracture its update timing so much, even if it does split them up? Why would all the other carriers get the update but Verizon after over seven months? That makes no sense. It may be that Verizon has seen how, for a lot of people, 5.1.1 hasn't fixed anything, and it may be that they're waiting for a fix (6.0 I guess). But they could have at least told us that they were skipping it (if they are), or given us the update, even if it doesn't do anything. False security and placebo go a long way.

I am fairly 100% certain it doesn't happen that way.  Sony, HTC, Motorola, Google, and even Samsung have shown that they do the work, and carriers do the testing.

Sony/Google AOSP project showed any carrier delay averaged 1 month at the most unless there was something security wise impacted the network.  They found the longest delay was certifications from Wifi, bluetooth, and FCC.  They introduced the PDK because of it.

HTC, Sony, and Motorola released their timelines and it shows that carriers talk it over with them, and have no involvement until testing time.  Samsung back during the Behold II said something similar and changed how they ere going to update the behold.  Galaxy S they reiterated during the Galaxy Vibrant fiasco(people were calling) the same thing.

Now there's a development team and different requirements which each manufacturers does for each variant.  NONE of them will ever finish at the same time, and you bet your bottom dollar they are not turned in at the same time because they are not finished at the same time.

As for them saying anything.  Just look at T-Mobile boards... Nothings changed... people are asking when that will be finished and when they will get it.  People are still bugging them for 5.1.1 right now.  Also people treat things like promises(as seen the past 7 years), and get all hot and bothered when things don't go their way.  It's better they keep their mouths shut, and all carriers INCLUDING all manufacturers on their own devices.  No matter what it's a catch 22.

[epiieq1]

Well, after investigating the 6P on Verizon's network (phone restarts to try and get back functionality that works, then doesn't), and the lack of a payment plan setup, I'm going back to an iPhone.  While I loved my Note 4, the Note 4 with the current OS sucks.  Unfortunately, where I live and travel to, the alternatives to Verizon are all far worse in reception/capabilities or I'd be switching.  I'm keeping my Note 4 and will use it SIM-less to work on, but I won't trust Samsung+Verizon ever again.

[Zacharee1]

Sprint has free roaming in most cases. Where do you travel that you need Verizon?

[Tidbits]

Zacharee1 wrote:

Sprint has free roaming in most cases. Where do you travel that you need Verizon?

No they don't read their terms.  If majority of your usage is roaming they'll terminate your contract.  First hand experience and there's 24 other of my coworkers will tell you the same.

[Zacharee1]

You said no, they don't give free roaming and then backed that up by saying roaming a lot will kill your contract. When I last checked, occasional roaming is free.