If you are getting an Android device, make sure it’s a Nexus

I had a Samsung Galaxy Captivate for 2 years before I upgraded to a HTC One X. While both phones are pretty good, the lack of software updates is extremely frustrating.

 

Samsung took forever to release Gingerbread (version 2.3) for the Captivate. By the time they released it people were already running Ice cream sandwich (4.0) ROMS on it. I got frustrated and switched to an ICS ROM, though playing around with ROMS can be another headache.

 

As for the One X, it is a gorgeous phone with a wonderful screen, but HTC promised a Jelly Bean (4.1) update by the end of 2012, and here we are in 2013. It is simply frustrating for users who want to be on the bleeding-edge (yes you can root your phone and install a new ROM, but I was unable to since AT&T has heavily locked down their phones). 

 

In the meantime Google released the Nexus 4 in 2012, which came with 4.2 (will the One X ever get 4.2? Probably not). Even the 2-year old Nexus S got updated to 4.1 quickly (though it won’t be getting 4.2). 

 

I place the blame on the carriers, since HTC has released the JB update for worldwide phones. AT&T and other carriers like to load the phones with a lot of crappy apps which you can’t get rid of. I just want a pure and straightforward Android experience. It also doesn’t help that manufacturers like HTC and Samsung like to modify Android themselves to make it more distinct, but in my opinion it only slows down the Android experience and doesn’t add a lot. 

 

As for tablets, the same rule applies. Get a Nexus 7 or a Nexus 10.

 

There is a reason why Apple preferred to have total control over the iPhone software experience – and which is why you should get a Nexus device, free from the constraints of manufacturers and clueless carriers.

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