Many Android smartphones unsafe by lack of updates – Consumers

Many Android devices Consumentenbond tested between 2013 and 2015, are no longer supported by the latest software and much running even in an insecure version of Android. This emerges from a study by the Consumers for the Digital Guide of July 2015. The Consumers’ goes from manufacturers insist that they support smart phones longer.

84% of the 171 devices Consumentenbond tested the last 2 years, has not been updated to Android 5.0, and half of them even have Android 4.3 or older, while there are known vulnerabilities in this release. Bart Combée, director of Consumers’ Our research shows that many phones do not get another 2 years updates. We believe that consumers are entitled to proper and safe device. Manufacturers should be able to provide their phones at least 2 years after the release date of updates. ”

The differences between Android plates are great. Huawei is running at more than half of the units at 4.3 or lower, the rest at 4.4 and none of the 23 tested devices on Android 5 or later. In the much smaller Motorola is a lot better, there have 5 out of 8 views smartphones Android 5.0 or 5.1. But even within brands can be significant differences. More than 2 years old HTC One example is running on Android or 5, but the much younger HTC One Mini 2 is not. Also at Samsung, the market leader among Android phones, many models run on outdated software.

Google, the maker of Android, brings updates. The phone makers then determine if and when they continue an update to the device. Sometimes the provider is slowing an update, because he wants to add there own features to it. For devices from Apple and Windows Phones is the update issue much less. iOS gets about 4 years after the introduction more updates, and Microsoft has promised all phones with Windows 8.1 free update to Windows 10 Mobile.

Manufacturers do not tell how long they support their products. The update information on their websites is vague and as the Consumer asks them to it, are only vague answers. The Consumers henceforth every phone tested indicate the latest Android version on your device and advises consumers who buy a new smartphone, select Android 5.0 or higher.

Consumers who find that manufacturers have their products more feature updates the action to “Update!” supported by: consumentenbond.nl/updaten.

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