I love my Samsung Galaxy Nexus. While the specs aren’t cutting edge, it’s a great phone that runs the latest version of Google Android (Jelly Bean)…at least, that’s what my GSM Nexus does. My CDMA Nexus on Verizon is a different story. It’s still running Ice Cream Sandwich. While ICS is much better than its predecessor, once you’ve used Jelly Bean, it’s hard to go back. When I bought my CDMA Nexus back in December, I was under the impression that it would get fast updates just like the Nexus One and Nexus S did. That’s not the case with the Verizon Nexus. The company has been handling updates in a pathetically slow manner and it doesn’t look like things are going to get better any time soon. A Verizon CSR just emailed me the following:
I scoured our database for ANY sort of information I could shoot your way, but I hate to say, there is no tentative date for the Jelly Bean update. This truly is not the answer I ever prefer to give as it doesn’t provide much confidence in our equipment. I can say we have continually contacted the Equipment Compliance team which is an amalgam of Verizon Wireless and Google technicians to at least provide a rough date. However, they are still not able to indicate anything concrete at the moment.
Many times the hold up for any software update comes from the testing on the devices. GSM (for ex/ AT&T) phones operate differently than CDMA (Verizon Wireless, Sprint) phones and I’ve found historically that CDMA phones tend to take longer to test. Asides from that I see no other reason for a delay. Again, I’m terribly sorry this is still happening, and rest assured I have used your verbatim in the latest feedback to the Equipment Compliance team. In the meantime, I thank you for your patience in response to your email, and I hope you have a great rest of your day!
The pickle is that Verizon’s LTE coverage is awesome. The speeds and latency are fantastic. I don’t want to give that up on my primary line. Having said that, I’m annoyed enough at Verizon that I’m hoping that other companies will have more robust LTE offerings when my contract is up in 2013. Perhaps I was being naive, but I feel deceived by Verizon. Its version of the Galaxy Nexus is great, but it’s not really a Nexus phone…and it doesn’t look like it will be treated like a real Nexus phone any time soon.
I purchased an unlocked GNexus from Google and it’s a great device despite me being overly critical of the cpu/gpu onboard when it was debuted. I don’t think I could own an Android device that isn’t a Nexus device going forward. I appreciate the lack of bloat and branding on the device in addition to receiving timely updates.
Does the delay of updates impede critical security updates as well on Verizon? That’s really crappy if so.
Yes, Verizon delays security updates too. It’s sucky all around.
On the plus side, I’m glad you’re digging the device. Like you, I don’t see myself going non-Nexus going forward. What do you think of the resolution? I remember you thinking it was unnecessary when the phone was first announced. It’s actually hard for me to look at 960×540 screens now and not think, “Ewwwww.’
The resolution is OK. I find that chrome and stock browser load websites obscurely at times and those issues take away from the sharpness. I don’t know if it is noticeably better than a retina display on a 3.5 inch screen though.
My complaints aside from the camera are with Chrome and FB.
Spent 30 minutes on the phone with Verizon customer service to see if they could address the issue adequately (even though I knew they couldn’t). A nice woman named Rene was totally unfamiliar with the issue. A rude supervisor named Jim tried all sorts of tactics to not address it. First he said that I need to “jailbreak” the phone, which showed his lack of knowledge. Then he said that I need to contact Samsung, which was funny because Nexus updates come from Google. Then he insisted on transferring me to technical support, which was utterly pointless.
Basically, Verizon’s Galaxy Nexus isn’t a true Nexus phone. I understand why, but it’s disappointing that Google chose the company as the exclusive launch partner in America. Why would you give a company first dibs on a Nexus phone when it’s not going to be treated like a Nexus phone?
Haha. The GSM version is the best way to go in the US. Though I have found mine to be a battery hog. It will be laid to rest in the top left drawer of my desk on Friday.
Yes, but I wish I could get timely updates AND LTE speeds.