Motorola isn't bothering with monthly Android security updates

Scorpus

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Back when Motorola was owned by Google, the company was known for fast software updates. The 2014 Moto X was the first handset to receive an update to Android 5.0, and you could rely on phones like the Moto G getting prompt updates as well.

Under Lenovo, things have changed. While Motorola still ships smartphones with near-stock versions of Android on-board, the company isn't willing to provide frequent software updates. Case in point: Motorola will not provide monthly security updates to their portfolio of devices, including the flagship Moto Z.

According to Motorola, it's too difficult to keep their smartphones secure through monthly updates. Instead, security updates will be bundled into scheduled maintenance releases, which are much less frequent.

Here is Motorola's official statement on the matter:

Motorola understands that keeping phones up to date with Android security patches is important to our customers. We strive to push security patches as quickly as possible. However, because of the amount of testing and approvals that are necessary to deploy them, it's difficult to do this on a monthly basis for all our devices. It is often most efficient for us to bundle security updates in a scheduled Maintenance Release (MR) or OS upgrade.

As we previously stated, Moto Z Droid Edition will receive Android Security Bulletins. Moto G4 will also receive them.

Providing users with timely security patches is key to keeping them secure, which is why Google is providing official Android security updates on a monthly basis. Some of the best high-end phones on the market are being updated when these patches are released, such as Samsung's Galaxy S7 series and Google's Nexus line-up, but the Moto Z and Moto G won't be among them.

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Whelp, so much for the moto x brand. It looks like Lenovo will focus on profits instead. For those interested, andriod 6.0 came out within a year of the Moto X (2014) releasing and for many carriers that update will never come. Yes, Lenovo would not give full support to a phone under 1 year old. I would not buy the moto z knowing you are lucky if you get one good year of spaced out updates from it. It's a joke.
 
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It's not as if they have 10+ different models of phones and their OS is near stock. If Lenovo doesn't want to do it then just imagine what Chinese companies feel like, releasing a new phone every other hour. In fact one just got released now.
 
I'm still getting monthly updates on my S6 (920F). Maybe because its not carrier locked and much testing is not required. My friend who got S7 from a carrier in Australia does not get the monthly updates.
 
Google isn't in the business of selling phones. Pretty much EVERY OTHER manufacturer is.
Software updates fix/extend the life of a device, therefore, it goes against a manufacturers business
model (and carriers) to update the phone, past what it came with.
 
Very disappointing and a good reason not to upgrade to another product of theirs. Sadly, this might be the best reason to reconsider an iPhone ......
 
Google isn't in the business of selling phones. Pretty much EVERY OTHER manufacturer is.
Software updates fix/extend the life of a device, therefore, it goes against a manufacturers business
model (and carriers) to update the phone, past what it came with.

It also goes against their business model to not update their phones as well. Customers dropping $500 plus on a phone expect updates, especially given examples of much cheaper phones being updated for much longer.
 
My htc 8x experience (final update windows 8.1 mobile only) told me not to buy high-end phone not (co)designed by google and Microsoft. so far, I am very happy with my budget android one and android one g1 phones with timely updates direct from google. if a budget windows phone (co-)designed by Microsoft comes along, I'll probably buy one, provided the price/hardware is identical with android one phones and guaranteed update to latest windows 10 mobile version. local pricing for Microsoft-branded budget phones are bad buys since android phones have 2x storage at the same price range.
 
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