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LG’s original flagship device (and a reference point for the Nexus 4), the LG Optimus G will forever hold a special place in our heart. As one of the first Android devices to run Qualcomm’s quad-core Snapdragon S4 processors, the phone has held up quite well over the years. In fact, the Optimus G (both variants) is still one of our favorite Android devices to date. And that’s saying something.
Perhaps that’s why it never sat very well with us to watch as the once great Android device was so quickly abandoned by the OEM that built it (and a reason why we’ve been leery about LG’s support ever since). When the Optimus G debuted back in November of 2012, it was running Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich. Not a big deal, as Jelly Bean only debuted a few months before that during Google I/O. It wasn’t until March of last year that we finally saw the Sprint version updated to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean (AT&T’s would get the update a month later), but haven’t heard a word since. Not a good look.
Now, with Android 4.4.3 KitKat looming on the horizon, many LG Optimus G users — at least those who care about these sorta things — are feeling duped. But keep a stiff upper lip, as we’ve got some new info from French carrier SFR, suggests we could see the phone go out with one last bang. According to SFR, they’ve received confirmation from LG that the Optimus G will, in fact, be soon receiving Android 4.4.2 KitKat. The update is scheduled to arrive at some point this summer, just keep in mind that’s in Europe. There’s no telling how much longer it could hit devices here in the states, or if the phone even sold enough units to warrant an update.
In any case, we’ll take this as good news (and hope) that KitKat for the phone is somewhere on the horizon. Oh, and LG. If you’re listening, do your customers a solid and update the phone. For old time’s sake.
[via GSM Arena]
Wow.. might be good as a backup phone if it goes down to like $200.
You can find it for that much easily on Craigslist. Also, it popped up brand-new on eBay deals for exactly that amount. :D
I think you’d be better off getting a Moto G at this point
Edit:
I take that back, LTE is just too good.
Woah woah woah… No way.
LG Optimus G has a quad-core S4, 720p IPS display, small bezels, great camera, and most importantly… LTE. Only thing holding it back (right now) is Jelly Bean…
Oh dang I forgot about that beautiful LTE. Touché.
My LTE doesn’t work half the time in Australia. This is in LTE spots too.
;)
We’re close enough to the Nexus 4 that we can run many of their ROMs and kernels with only slight modifications such as camera, NFC, and SD Card (for the AT&T variants). Runs great.
You can get the AT&T variant brand new on eBay for $249, which is one hell of a deal. This phone works better than some of the new phones we have now. Let’s hope the U.S. variants get the update.
That one of the things that makes me leary about buying another LG product. If I bought a Android Wear watch would I have to worry about my phone getting updated to get full functionality? If I also bought the LG version of that watch do I have to worry about getting updates for it too? No reason this is taking so long to get updates on a exflagship phone.
That’s what I’d like to know, too. I was wondering if the Android Wear devices would be updated more like Nexus devices (I hope that’s the case).
Honestly, it would make sense for it to be that way. Less fragmentation, and the hardware OEMs still make money on selling watches under their branding.
LG definitely has an update issue. Would love to know when my Sprint G2 will get Kit Kat!
I think that has more to do with Sprint than LG, apparently they have an issue with Spark & KitKat.
You will get the update before verizon does. i don’t expect verizon to get the update until android 5.4 is available.Verizon prides itself in being last in the world to update their phones.
Still running stock/rooted. This is very welcome news.
I have the Sprint LG Optimus G as a second phone and I still love it. It is basically my gym workout phone. This is welcome news.
This is basically the one thing that prevents me from recommending LG’s phones to people (their hardware is great, though). Their software update reputation is pretty bad (as in you’re lucky if you receive ONE major update).
If LG can get their act together and start getting relatively recent phones updated a tad more often, then that would be great. I hope that’s where they’re headed.
and Motorola won’t update my Razr Maxx
RAZR maxx from three years ago?
This is a similar thing that happened with the Galaxy S1, which initially turned many people away from Samsung, but the S2 was a different story and picked up steam for Samsung. By the time the S3 was released, Samsung was taking the smarphone lead. It’s not impossible for LG to follow in somewhat of the same pattern, especially if they market properly and start producing bigger sales numbers.
-EDIT- I remember Sprint’s version of the Galaxy S1 (Epic 4G) didn’t get updated for over 1 year, while other US Galaxy S1 variants didn’t get updated until even later.