If you've been using Android for a while, you've probably wondered why Your phone takes so long to update While you see others already using the new version, it sometimes feels like some users are living in the future while others are stuck in the past… even with relatively similar phones.
Moreover, if you're coming from an iPhone or have friends with iOS, the contrast is stark: major updates arrive simultaneously on all compatible iPhones, while on Android the rollout is... Slow, staggered, and very uneven Depending on the brand, model, processor, and even the carrier. Let's break down, calmly but without getting too bogged down, what's happening behind the scenes to make things this way.
Why don't we all update Android at the same time?
The first thing to understand is that Android doesn't work like iOS. Apple controls both the hardware and software of its iPhones, while in Google's ecosystem there's a huge mix of manufacturers, processors, carriers, and customization layersEveryone interferes with the system, and each extra layer adds time to the process.
When Google releases a new version of Android, such as Android 9 Pie, Android 10, or any other, its own phones (Pixel and older Nexus devices) usually receive it first because There are no intermediaries blocking the wayIn these cases, Google acts as the manufacturer and is directly responsible for the updates, without waiting for third parties.
In contrast, brands like Samsung, Xiaomi, Sony, Huawei, OnePlus, and others have to adapt that Android base to their own devices, each with its own specific combination of hardware, drivers, camera, sensors and pre-installed applicationsAnd it's not the same to maintain a few models as it is to deal with a massive catalog launched over several years.
To add even more spice to the matter, many phones are sold through carriers who, before allowing the update, also add their own little "touch": their own apps, additional services, and internal checks that again stall the update rollout for weeks or even months.
The official path of an Android update
When Google finishes a major new version of Android, it doesn't release it haphazardly. First, it prepares and sends its partners a package called a PDK (Platform Development Kit), which is basically... the toolset and codebase so that manufacturers can start working before the version is released to the public.
After officially launching the system, Google releases the source code in the AOSP (Android Open Source Project). This code goes directly to the companies that manufacture the chips: Qualcomm, MediaTek, Samsung (in its Exynos processors), and others. They are responsible for adapting Android to each processor family, generating the drivers and packages needed for all the hardware to work with the new version.
Once chip manufacturers have their part ready, that customized software is delivered to mobile phone brands. It is at this point that companies like Samsung, Xiaomi, Sony, or Huawei really begin working on the customization layer and extra features that differentiate their phones from the rest.
At this point, basic elements such as calls, messages, internet connection, battery management, camera, and notifications are adjusted, but also interface details: icons, launcher, menus, lock screen, gallery apps, music, health, assistants, etc. Each additional function that is integrated implies more code to test, tune, and certify.
Once the brand believes everything is reasonably polished, a key stage begins: testing. Internal tests are conducted with employees and dedicated testers, simulating normal daily use (calls, social media, games, photos, etc.) to detect stability errors, unexpected shutdowns, power consumption issues, or connectivity failures.
In parallel, they can contract external testing services or specialized laboratories to ensure that Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, mobile connectivity, GPS, and the rest of the radios function correctly in different countries and networks. Only when all of this passes muster is the deployment of the update via OTA (Over The Air) considered, which is usually done in stages. detect potential failures in small groups of users before it reaches everyone.
Qualcomm vs MediaTek: how the processor influences upgrades
One of the most curious and least discussed factors by users is the role of the processor. Not all chips receive the same level of attention. Within the industry, for example at Xiaomi, it has been said that Mobile phones with Qualcomm Snapdragon processors usually get updated sooner than those that use MediaTek processors.
The reason? As Xiaomi's Li Ming himself explained, Qualcomm has a larger and more well-resourced engineering team than MediaTek. This means that when Google delivers the code for the new version, Qualcomm is able to prepare all the necessary drivers and packages for a large number of models at once much faster.
MediaTek, on the other hand, having fewer human resources in this part of the business, tends to work in a more phased manner. In practice, this means that updates based on their chips are released... in batches or in wavesso some phones are left in the late groups and receive the new Android quite a bit later.
The positive aspect, according to this view, is that this phased rollout strategy allows MediaTek to better identify and isolate any bugs that might appear in an update. If a serious error occurs, the impact is concentrated in a smaller number of devicesThis makes it easier to react and correct before extending the deployment to the rest.
In any case, whether a phone has a Qualcomm or MediaTek processor isn't everything: the phone manufacturer can be very fast… or very slow. Even with a well-supported processor, if the brand decides to prioritize its new models or doesn't allocate resources to maintaining older ones, The updates will arrive late or not at all..
The customization layers: power and braking at the same time
A key difference with iOS is that, in Android, almost every manufacturer adds a layer on top of the original system. TouchWiz/One UI on Samsung, MIUI on Xiaomi, EMUI on Huawei, ColorOS, OxygenOS, and many more. These layers offer extra features, a distinctive look, and their own apps While many users like them, just as many find them superfluous. In some cases, alternatives like these even coexist. HyperOS in the Xiaomi ecosystem.
The problem arises when it's time to update. These customizations aren't just a simple graphical theme: they're deeply integrated into the system. When a new version of Android is released, the manufacturer not only has to adapt it to their hardware, but also reprogram, adjust, and test your entire software layer to ensure that it continues to work as before (or better) without breaking anything.
This work multiplies with each model the brand wants to maintain. Updating two or three high-end phones is not the same as maintaining dozens of mid-range and low-end phones, many of them with only minor differences in screen, camera, sensor, or memory. Each variant requires their own compilation and their own tests.
If custom Android skins were more independent modules, something like a launcher or a downloadable feature pack, the base system could be updated faster and the manufacturer could then fine-tune its extras. But right now they're too deeply integrated into the core of Android, and that It slows down the schedule for all brands..
The role of the operators: bloatware and more delays
Another major bottleneck is the carriers. When you buy an unlocked phone, the manufacturer can send the update directly to the device as soon as it's available for your region. However, if the phone was purchased with a subsidy or financing from a phone company, The updates first go through their hands..
In this extra step, many operators add their own applications: music services, messaging, customer service tools, specific network settings, or even commercial shortcuts. This software, which rarely provides real value to the user, is integrated into the system image as bloatware that is difficult to uninstall without rooting.
It's not just annoying because of the space it consumes and the fact that in many cases no one uses it, but because it forces the operator to carry out its own tests and validations, adding weeks or months of delay compared to unlocked models. In some extreme cases, if the operator doesn't see commercial interest or the model hasn't sold well, The update is simply abandoned..
In Spain, for example, some users report experiencing minimal delays with certain Samsung devices sold by specific carriers, while other models or carriers take an extremely long time. Ultimately, the experience varies considerably depending on the carrier. internal politics and technical agility of each operator.
That's why many people who value updates prefer to buy unlocked phones, even though they're a bit more expensive initially. You avoid intermediate steps, reduce bloatware, and above all, You receive new versions and security patches sooner..
Fragmentation, security, and abandoned mobile phones
This entire complex process has one clear consequence: the infamous fragmentation of Android. Today, a multitude of different versions coexist, and many statistics show that older versions like Nougat have remained popular for years. the most used long after their launchwhile the new ones took a very long time to get off the ground.
This delay isn't just a matter of "not having the latest features." By not receiving the latest versions or monthly security patches, mobile phones become more vulnerable to threats, malware and attacks that are already fixed in Google's code but never reach your device.
Furthermore, manufacturers typically prioritize newer, high-end models. Phones that haven't sold well, very cheap phones, or older models are usually the first to be dropped from the roadmap. From a business perspective, Maintaining many old models is not profitablebecause updating millions of devices costs money and resources that may not be recouped in profits.
That's why some manufacturers even prefer to encourage you to upgrade your phone, launching campaigns and discounts to get you to switch to an updated model, instead of focusing on extending the lifespan of the ones you already own. It's a questionable strategy for users, but from an economic point of view, it's profitable. This explains some of the chaos in the updates..
What happens when you update and your phone runs worse?
Another issue that raises questions is what happens when you finally receive a major update and, after installing it, you notice that the phone is performing worse: slower, gets hotter or the battery life is reduced. Sometimes this is referred to as planned obsolescence, and cases like the fine levied against Apple for reducing performance in older iPhones illustrate this. have fueled that suspicion.
It's important to keep in mind that each new version of Android usually includes more advanced features, extra layers of security, and lately, much more artificial intelligence for all kinds of tasks. That, even though the system tries to be more efficient, increases the demands on the CPU, GPU, and memory, something that older phones notice.
Applications also come into play. After a major update, not all third-party apps are optimized from day one. While developers adapt their programs to the new system, it's quite normal that Some apps run sluggishly and consume more battery. or hang on too long.
Manufacturers, for their part, sometimes change how they manage the battery and resources. To prevent unexpected shutdowns in phones with worn-out batteries, they may limit the maximum power of the processor or GPU, which translates into less fluid animations, apps that take longer to open or minor tugs during daily use.
Before blaming only supposed planned obsolescence, it's worth checking storage status, battery health, the apps that consume the most resources, and whether everything is up to date. While it's not always possible to roll back, there are ways to do so. certain good practices that help minimize the feeling of slowness after a major update.
Best practices for surviving updates
If you notice your phone is running slower after updating, there are several things you can try. The first is usually to clean up your apps. Uninstall what you don't use or disable pre-installed apps that can't be deleted. reduces the system's workloadand it also helps to reduce battery consumptioneven if those apps are running in the background.
It's also important to make sure all your apps are up to date. On Android, you can go to the Play Store, select "Manage apps & device," and tap "Update all" to install the latest versions. If an app isn't updated or has been abandoned by its developer for a while, It could be the cause of malfunctions and unusual energy consumption..
Another key point is internal storage space. Large updates need free space to download and extract, and nearly full storage often makes the system sluggish. Free up memory by deleting duplicate photos, large videos, files you no longer need, or by moving some of your content to the cloud. It usually improves fluidity considerably..
Over time, many apps' caches fill up with old or corrupted data. After a major update, this information can become outdated and hinder performance. On Android, you can manage this app by app from Settings > Apps > Storage and cache. clear the accumulated cache, which often gives a small speed boost.
If none of this works and the phone is still malfunctioning, there's always the most radical solution: a full backup and a factory reset. It's a drastic measure that erases all your data and apps, but in many cases It eliminates errors carried over from previous versions. and leaves the system clean with the new version already installed.
What to do if the update gets stuck
It's not very common, but sometimes the update gets stuck halfway through and the phone stops responding. This usually happens when there's insufficient free space, an unstable internet connection, or insufficient battery during the download or installation process.
In these cases, the first attempt should be a forced restartSimply pressing the power button once isn't enough: you have to hold it down for about 30 seconds until the screen turns off completely and the device restarts. On some models (like many Samsung devices), this is done by combining... Press and hold the power and volume down buttons for several seconds.
If the phone restarts after restarting, it's advisable to Check the WiFi connectionFree up some storage and make sure you have enough battery (or plug it into the charger) before trying to download and install the update again.
When it still doesn't respond, you may have to enter the device's recovery mode and perform a complete data wipe. It's a delicate decision because All content is deleted from the mobile phone (photos, apps, settings), so having a backup in the cloud or on a computer is essential to avoid losing everything.
The good news is that, in most cases, these measures bring the phone back to life and allow the installation to be completed. It's usually not necessary to call a technician unless... The failure may have actually damaged the system or the hardware.
Nexus, Pixel and custom ROMs: the shortcut to the “pure Google experience”
Google has been selling its own phones (formerly Nexus, now Pixel) for years as the so-called "pure Google" experience. In practice, this means that in these models There are no heavy manufacturer layers or carrier bloatware, and updates are directly controlled by Google.
As a result, these devices receive new versions of Android sooner and generally remain updated as long as the hardware allows. It also helps that their model catalog is much smaller than that of manufacturers like Samsung or Xiaomi, which They launch dozens of mobile phones every year..
Furthermore, the Android ecosystem has a very active community of independent developers. Seconds after Google releases a new version on AOSP, groups are already working on custom ROMs for different models: LineageOS and many other alternatives offer near-clean versions of Android without brand customization or carrier apps.
Installing a custom ROM requires a certain level of technical knowledge (unlocking the bootloader, flashing images, managing backups), but more and more manufacturers are leaving these doors open, either by not locking the bootloader or by providing tools to unlock it. It's an interesting option for those who... They don't want to depend on the official update schedule and they prefer to extend the life of their mobile phone on their own.
However, there are risks involved: the warranty may be voided, unforeseen malfunctions may occur, and in some cases, certain proprietary features (such as highly customized cameras or specific mobile payments) may be incompatible. not working as well on community ROMs than in the manufacturer's official software.
With all of the above in mind, it becomes clearer why your Android takes so long to update: the journey from when Google releases a new version until it reaches your phone involves chip manufacturers, custom interfaces, internal testing, carrier validations, and economic decisions about which models are worth supporting. All of this means that some users get a new version very quickly while others continue to wait months or even miss out altogether. The consolation is that, by following some best practices and carefully choosing the type of phone we buy (unlocked or carrier-locked, with or without extended support), we can still... improve our relationship with updates.
