How is Samsung WP support after you get the phone?

[bsayegh]

The next WP I get may not be a Lumia. As much as I appreciate Nokia's efforts to support the OS, I have never been a huge fan of their phone's form factor. A lot of times the edges are too sharp and it doesn't feel comfortable for me to hold in my hand. If the next phone I can get on ATT that has great hardware is a Lumia, I will probably get it, but I would also be willing to try a Samsung phone.

My only concern about getting a phone that isn't made by Nokia (or eventually Microsoft) is that they don't seem to get much attention outside of their initial release. I bought an HTC Titan II, and I have received one minor update in the last 2 years. I had to use the seveneighter app to update to 7.8. Otherwise the thing just never got an update. I realize that a lot of that comes down to AT&T, but at least part of the blame is likely on HTC. Aside from the camera (that was really cool at the time I got it) and some of the HTC stuff (attentive phone), there wasn't much to distinguish it from other WP devices, and they did little to change that.

I was wondering if Samsung was a little more active with their devices. Do they get updates more regularly? Do they seem to pay any more attention to the device after you spend your money on it? Do you think that will improve with the new phone (even though I am not on Verizon so it will be a while before they have something for me)?

 

[neo158]

It's been very good for a company whose primary focus is Android IMHO, I've got all the updates for both the OS and Firmware, I live in the UK and the phone is unlocked and unbranded though, so carriers have no say in the updates that I get. You also need to remember that as you live in the US, if you do get a Samsung Windows Phone then it won't be Samsung holding up any updates. Not only that but Samsung regularly update their apps, I had three updates for Samsung extras today.

From a repairs perspective they were also very good, it took them 7-10 days to reflash my device when I had issues with the developer preview.

 

[bsayegh]

That sounds better than my experience with HTC. I would almost learn more toward getting an ATIV (though I hate the name) than a Lumia.

 

[RJ Priest]

Samsung had a firmware update to go along with GDR3, but I don't know what it added / fixed / improved.

My ATIV S has been wonderful, with superior battery life to the 920, although if photography is important to you, you'll miss not having manual settings / focus. But the ATIV S camera is quite good compared to the general mobile market.

I get Samsung updates every once in a while for the unique Samsung apps, although I never use them. There seem to be regular updates to the "import contacts" app, although I never use it.

 

[neo158]

Samsung had a firmware update to go along with GDR3, but I don't know what it added / fixed / improved.

My ATIV S has been wonderful, with superior battery life to the 920, although if photography is important to you, you'll miss not having manual settings / focus. But the ATIV S camera is quite good compared to the general mobile market.

I get Samsung updates every once in a while for the unique Samsung apps, although I never use them. There seem to be regular updates to the "import contacts" app, although I never use it.

I know that the firmware that came with the GDR3 update fixed the black screen factory reset bug in the developer preview.

 

[dredd2099]

samsung apps seems to be getting constant updates lately
as far as hardware wise, no issues, Ive got a samsung repair centre close by that I can just drop by

 

[neo158]

samsung apps seems to be getting constant updates lately
as far as hardware wise, no issues, Ive got a samsung repair centre close by that I can just drop by

The Samsung Repair Centres are pretty good, I need to get my ATIV S reflashed after the GDR3 update borked it and they said 7-10 days and it was, literally, 10 days.

 

[dredd2099]

^is that a walk in or includes shipping of said phone?

 

[neo158]

^is that a walk in or includes shipping of said phone?

That was a walk in

 

[kingenu]

hope im not late but i actually relate to you, i had a 920, 925 and 820 before finally getting the ativ s, i love this phone but i don't get what people mean by "support", i have the developers preview and all samsung apps for me updated recently so to me samsung have done a good job, i have a phone im happy with, that doesn't have flaws.

 

[ruddevil]

This may not be relevant if you are in US or UK, but in most Asian countries the support have been pathetic. I still didn't have GDR3 until I joined preview for dev to get 8.1. The good side is Samsung WP is so plain it feels like it's the stock WP OS out there; a complete opposite of their Android phones.

 

[luisfarelo]

Fine for me until now. I have the Unbranded ATIV S from Germany, and Samsung has released all updates. I have GDR3 with no bugs and they also update their apps and settings frequently. They have some useful apps, namely NOW, PHOTO EDITOR and lots of others.

 

[Seketh]

Actually, Samsung has done a decent job. Nothing close to Nokia, but the updates keep coming. Out of all the WP OEM, Samsung is definitely the second best.

They'll probably even bring new apps with the launch of the ATIV S SE.

 

[amuntsempre]

Not so fine for me. I have the Unbranded ATIV S from Germany (Amazon), and Samsung hasn't released all updates. I have GDR2, waiting for GDR3 (since january 2014) and a lot of bluetooh problems. And nobody, Samsung, can help me.

 

[neo158]

Not so fine for me. I have the Unbranded ATIV S from Germany (Amazon), and Samsung hasn't released all updates. I have GDR2, waiting for GDR3 (since january 2014) and a lot of bluetooh problems. And nobody, Samsung, can help me.

I assume you've done a check for updates rather than waiting to be notified. Have you contacted Samsung about the Bluetooth issues?