Upgrade?

mixz1

Please pardon my ignorance. Long time Windows and Apple user. New to Android. I recently purchased a reasonably inexpensive Android tablet for beach and poolside use. It’s a low-spec basic 10 inch tablet to use instead of risking an expensive iPad. It came with Android 14. Is there a case to be made for upgrading the OS, and if so, how. When I select OS Update in the settings menu, it spins around for a minute and reports back that there’s nothing available. Can I and/or should I look for an Android upgrade, or are they manufacturer specific? Again, apologies for being uninformed.

OzarkEdge

mixz1

Typically, the device OEM will automatically maintain/upgrade the device OS (OEM flavor of Android) and OEM apps… until the device is no longer eligible for updates. If you are lucky, a new device will get one or two Android OS updates… a cheap device maybe none… this should be stated in the device specs and can influence the decision to buy it in the first place since everyone wants their device to remain current, usable, and secure for as long as possible.

tldr: Just use it until it stops working.

px_eliezer_

OzarkEdge tldr: Just use it until it stops working.

Agree!

Android 14 is fine for a long time yet.

Even Android 13.

Do however keep your individual apps updated, which is a separate issue.

mixz1

OzarkEdge

Thank you. For 30 USD I’ve already gotten my money’s worth. Basically it’s a super Kindle and email client. It does both well. Thanks for the reply.

Donoreo

Usually the cheaper tablets will not get OS upgrades.

Somewhat-Reticent

Not officially, at least.

knot

You are good. I still have tablets running Android 11 with no problems.

Heat84

I’ve never owned a tablet so I don’t know if there’s alternative OS’s for them(I assume they’re are). You can try using an alternative OS.

My phone is the original Motorola Edge from 2020. The manufacturer stopped upgrading at Android 11(It came with 10). I switched to LineageOS to de-Googlefy my phone. LineageOS is up to version 21 which is Android 14 for my phone. LineageOS’s newest full version is 22 or 23, but not for my phone. I was surprised to see 21 for my phone. LineageOS is still providing weekly updates for my phone’s version of their OS.