Android is without a question one of the best operating systems out there. Nevertheless, It has its own issues that no one can deny and some of these issues are quiet major like the fact that it lacks more consistent security updates for different smartphone devices of different types for many reasons.
First of all, Carriers have to approve the over the air distribution of the updates on most of the devices that run on Android operating system. The thing is, carriers are able to delay the updates even after they are offered by the manufacturer of the smartphones by delaying the latest version of the software distribution. Although there is a good intention behind this delay which is that the carriers are making sure that the latest version of the software is compatible with the networks of the carrier, it is still a delay.
To that end, Samsung, the South Korean electronics manufacturer giant recently found that these regular updates are not very important to users who own devices that is anything less than flagship smartphones. So, the company updated its policy for security updates on its devices announcing on its page that only certain devices will be receiving the regular monthly security update patches. Those devices are:
From the Note series: Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy Note 8.
From the Galaxy S series: Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 +, Galaxy S8 Active, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6 edge +, Galaxy S6 Active.
And from the Galaxy A series: A8 of 2018, A5 of 2017, and A5 of 2016.
Other devices are apparently not important enough to get frequent security update in Samsung’s point of view. Some of these devices are rather new like the Galaxy A8 + that was launched only during the first month of 2018. While the smaller sibling of Galaxy A8 +, the Galaxy A8, is included in the lucky devices list, the owners of Galaxy A8 + will have to wait longer for security update patches and no one knows why?
It is troubling enough to have to wait for an update for a feature, but to wait for a security update is not acceptable. Basic security for personal devices such as smart phones is not a matter that can be submitted to premium standards. And considering the fact that some of the devices that will be denied of the regular security updates, this can only be seen as outrageous.
