The Android One program is a shambles, and here's why

[Redaktion]

Originally sold by Google as providing "faster access to the latest Android OS updates", the Android One program is proving just as fragmented as the rest of the Android ecosystem. With multiple eligible devices still waiting for Android 10 and others having received Google's latest OS later than their custom-Android siblings, has the Android One program failed to live up to Google's ambitions?

https://www.notebookcheck.net/The-Android-One-program-is-a-shambles-and-here-s-why.454848.0.html

[Don Seguin]

great article, it is a total shame that this initiative is dying, it was a good idea to begin with: providing clarity and certainty on the software front in terms of updates...something that Android suffers from compared to Apple or Microsoft even! But instead we are left with different interpretations and uncertainty as to what happens next to the various phones on the program. I have an LG G7 ONE and I have no idea whether we will get Android 11 or not...frustrating and disappointing...can we trust Google or not !!! Where are the new phones??? does this mean that this is another abandoned project on Googles part ??? Does Google have an environmental consciousness at all...because if it does it needs to move this to at least 3 years of full support both software versions and security updates...and of course make sure that newer phones are available to purchase! Maybe we need a return of a Nexus phone with Android One just to set an example for others to follow...

[Leibide]

I agree, Don Seguin, great article. Lots of pertinent examples. As for your LG G7 One, I looked it up. Seeing as it was released with Android 8 (I think), I see you're hoping for 3 major updates. That's one of the interpretations suggested in the article alright. Don't forget to keep an eye on the devices supported on lineage os as well (maybe you already do). It's not supported yet, but you can always hope.

[A]

To be honest, do software updates even matter? All I care about are security updates which are independent of the version upgrades. And app updates which are also provided via the store.

Otherwise, what do version upgrades these days bring to the table? Most of the time, the only things worth it are stuff that require new hardware to use anyways. Otherwise, most of the features can be gotten via apps.

Let us look at android 10.

Live caption - how is it different from live transcribe?
Smart reply - can be done with apps
Sound Amplifier - Available as an app
Dark theme - plenty of dark themes available


The biggest thing Android 10 introduces is security updates in googe play. Otherwise, all the stuff new versions have been giving are just new software bundled in.

For locked down iOS, updates are vital because you can't get an app to replicate software features. But for android, it isn't a big deal.

[adylanchng]

Let's not forget about Android Go as well.

[Angel G.]

I have HTC U11 Life Android One. Bought the phone because Google guaranteed two years of Android OS updates and 3 years of security updates. Android 10 reached GA on 3-rd September 2019, now its the last day of February, my device is still running Android 9, security updates stopped coming 1st of December 2019.

I reached out to the HTC technical support a few days ago, their representative told me that it is unlikely that HTC U11 Life Android One will receive an upgrade to Android 10, they do not have any official information on what phones will get the update, and even their latest phones released a few days ago are running Android 9.

[_MT_]

The original Android One program, the program that was supposed to bring Android to the next billion users, was something quite different than today's Android One.

Three years of security updates count from release so I imagine two years of OS upgrades also count from release. And since they formulate it in terms of time rather than the number of major OS versions, I don't think we can make the leap and take two years as two versions. Although, I believe HMD actually promised versions/ number of upgrades, not years. After all, these are minimums to qualify, it's not set. But I don't think they ever made any promise as to how fast will those upgrades arrive. Who knows, Google might be just leaving the option of not releasing a major version every year on the table. The faster argument should really be compared to the phone not being part of Android One. Pushing a major OS upgrade still requires work from the manufacturer and if they have 10 models to upgrade, they won't do them all at once. The nature of the program just makes it less work and therefore faster.

The problem with taking it as "whatever we happen to release within the two years" is that it's an empty promise. Unless there is a deadline that would force them to release a version, they could simply choose to release nothing and wouldn't break the promise. "We have given you access to upgrades for two years, we just never chose to release any."

You'd have to look, I read a bit detailed article about the program (its requirements) perhaps a couple years ago and I believe there might be some deadlines involved. Or it might have been the Enterprise Recommended. I recall it very vaguely. It would certainly make perfect sense. And it's a question how strict is Google about adherence and what they can do. I have certainly heard of phones breaching promises of Google's programs.

[Michael Gilbert-Uhlman]

I think it's time for a class action lawsuit against Google and the various androidone OEM's for misleading sales practices.

[W. David]

 >:( Simple. If everyone who cares about updates switches to IOS, Like I myself am considering when it's time to upgrade, then maybe Google will wake up and actually do something.

[CFB]

After two new LG phones that NEVER got any updates at all, a Moto phone that sat on 7 for about a year after 8.1 came out and finally got a buggy 8.1 when 10 was out, and enjoying an Essential phone that got updates every month and every android release often on the same day google released it for the pixel, my next phone will either be a pixel or an iphone.  No more "Here's your hardware, now buy a new phone because we abandoned you!".  Since I'm not into paying 2x for faery dust, that probably means I'll be owning pixels.  At least the 3rd party rom community is strong on the pixel line, so I can keep it going even after google drops it.

[CheckTom]

Getting OS and security updates is very important, but getting them fast is not.

Actually, I think fast updates are bad - when Google releases a new version of Android it is full of bugs and I would rather not get it until most of that is cleaned up.

[Winarso]

I bought the original Pixel in November 2016, the last security update was November 2016 ( three years later ). It was an expensive phone to begin with and still works with no problem but I think three years update is too short. The battery needs changing and Google has no service center in the UK to replace the battery. ISmash hasn't got a good reputation for repair, So after a long time with Android , I have just bought an iPhone because of better software update policy. In the long run it is cheaper to buy an iPhone because of the software support and resale value if I want to sell it . So even if you buy a Google Pixel it is still not good as far as software update compared to Apple iPhone.

[steve_wonder_s]

My HTC U11 Life received Android 10 today :)

[Fredrik]

Something needs to be done with updates and security updates to hardware. If we enter IoT age with having products that will stop updating after a short while we will end up in a terrible situation. I totally understand the OEMs that they don't want to support phones that is working for five years, however it's not a sustainable situation to switch phones every second year either. What have happened if the automotive industry stoped updating their cars after 2 years? The biggest reason for why I choosed Nokia brand instead of Samung was beacuse of the Android One program. If we now are going back to the old way with no more security updates after 1,5 years then this will lead to more fragmentated Android market. I think it's time for regulations since market clearly are not interested to solve this out.

[imxo2]

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