So I have an S21 with model number SC-51B, meaning it is a docomo model. In fact, it has docomo stamped onto the back. While my phone is unlocked (I am currently using UQ as my carrier), I notice that I am not getting updates directly from Samsung when their updates roll out, usually I need to wait a while before I receive them. Does that mean that my phone is still waiting for docomo to push the update, or is that because Samsung waits before releasing updates in Japan, since i have a Japanese model?
I know docomo puts a lot of proprietary apps and features onto this phone, but as far as I know an unlocked phone should get updates straight from the OEM?
Also, if I moved out of Japan would I still wait for longer for the Japanese version of an update (assuming that that’s what’s currently happening)
If anyone knows anything about this please let me know, and have a wonderful day
2 comments
Bought my Samsung Galaxy S21 ultra directly from S. Korea, the updates would come automatically. The phone wasn’t locked. Usually with Japanese bought phones from providers, they have a little service provider maintenance app *bloatware*, along with the proprietary model update app in settings. Maybe your automatic updates are turned off, check in the settings.
In terms of updates, I would say most of the updates dished out by samsung are unstable. I was an iphone guy before, and even though there are many liberties to the android Samsung, Iphone just was a smoother overall experience regardless of the limitations on app content, downloading capabilities, and framework.
That said, the best phone I had was a Samsung Galaxy SII, from there shit hit the fan.
The best iphone I had was the Iphone XS PRO MAX 512GB.
carrier branded phones get updates veeeeeeeery slowly, if ever after the release.
that’s the downside. the upside is having felica/osaifu keitai stuff and full support for the carrier LTE bands.
if you move, the update schedule wouldn’t change as it still will be pulling it from docomo servers.
> but as far as I know an unlocked phone should get updates straight from the OEM?
no, docomo reviews these updates and allows samsung to publish / whatever them to devices. you only get direct updates when you buy something like international / factory unlocked model.