WP 8.1 Update for ATIVE SE?

[Windows Central Question]

1st time Guest:: I am a senior and considering the Samsung ATIV SE because this will be my first smartphone; i have read many posts/reviews that WP's are perhaps somewhat easier for first-time smartphone users. I like organization and straight-forward; WP's seem to be 'that' more-so than Android & maybe iPhone?

I would like to know if WP8.1 has been released for the ATIV SE? Have heard bad criticism about WP8, whereas WP8.1 is loved by those who've rec'd it.

Again, looking for my 1st smartphone. This particular WP caught my eye because the specs make me think it will still be viable for some time. The Icon appears too squared to be comfortable, although I'm considering the Lumia 928 because it is so much cheaper than the ATIV SE.

Any constructive advice, thoughts, etc. would be GREATLY appreciated. Fair price for a near-mint ATIV SE? This will be a post-Christmas present for myself.
Sincere Appreciation for any help offered! SeniorGuest

 

[xandros9]

8.1 has not been released for the SE or the Icon.
It is technically available unofficially, but IIRC, there were issues with the SE.

I'd personally recommend a Lumia (928) since it has more weight behind it, and considering Samsung hardly seems to care about the SE.

 

[Jose_Rey]

No, 8.1 is not available for the Ativ SE. Windows blog stated it was coming "very soon." Paul Thurrot of winsupersite believes that to be end of December. But, it's just a guess on his part.

As for Samsung not caring, they have more OEMS apps at their store than Nokia(MS)... at least according to my Lumia 520(20) vs Ativ S(21) and definitely more than the 5 HTC (M8) has. And to my knowledge most of their first generation phones have been updated to 8.1

That being said, it's possible that 8.1 is as far as you may get. I'm still waiting for 8.1 on my Ativ S as I type this. Like you, I have also been thinking about getting the Ativ SE. The only thing holding me back is that it's on Verizon. A fair price in mint condition would be $250-$300. Though, I think you should be able to find something along the 250 range, especially with new phones on the horizon.

 

[SeniorGuest]

Well, I tried to post a sincere Thank You to xandros9 & el-ojo, but it hasn't shown-up!
What is "llRC"? Shorthand or a gov't reg on digital media?
I am apprehensive on the Lumia 928 because no sd slot; 32 gb intenal, yes - but no sd slot. Also, only 1gb RAM might prove inadequate in a year or two. My Samsung Rogue will be 5 yrs old Christmas Eve. I keep phones. I think the SE has specs that could be good for the long haul.

Also, I am already on VZW; no-data feature phone. Want to change to pre-paid smartphone plan; only few bucks more a mo. Had BAD experience/service with AT&T years ago; never again. Hence, the SE works for me. But I am still not sure about WP; we'll see.
THANKS AGAIN!!! Fun but safe Holiday Season to all...

 

[xandros9]

Well, I tried to post a sincere Thank You to xandros9 & el-ojo, but it hasn't shown-up!
What is "llRC"? Shorthand or a gov't reg on digital media?
I am apprehensive on the Lumia 928 because no sd slot; 32 gb intenal, yes - but no sd slot. Also, only 1gb RAM might prove inadequate in a year or two. My Samsung Rogue will be 5 yrs old Christmas Eve. I keep phones. I think the SE has specs that could be good for the long haul.

Also, I am already on VZW; no-data feature phone. Want to change to pre-paid smartphone plan; only few bucks more a mo. Had BAD experience/service with AT&T years ago; never again. Hence, the SE works for me. But I am still not sure about WP; we'll see.
THANKS AGAIN!!! Fun but safe Holiday Season to all...

IIRC is short for "if I recall correctly"

 

[tangledW]

I wouldn't recommend any if those phones on Verizon. I wouldn't recommend Verizon actually.

If you must stay on Verizon, just get an iPhone.

By the way, if it had been a considerable amount of time since your issues with AT&T, you might want to give them another shot. I left AT&T (Cingular/Bellsouth) 12+ years ago for Verizon. After all those years with Verizon, I've been driven back to AT&T and I couldn't be happier - coverage is excellent and my bill is cheaper... plus Windows Phone support.

 

[Marquis de Faux]

I would recommend you go for the ATIV SE. It is a great phone, and although does not have the 8.1 update yet, will get it soon.

 

[SeniorGuest]

Thank You as well, tangledW - I need all the info/advice I can get!
Most people I know have iPhones; one of the reasons I don't want one. A 2nd is no sd slot; even if the new 6's have sd slots, I can't afford them. Can't afford the on-contract data plans either; low-income senior.

Yep, was on Cingular and had Bell South land line. AT&T bought Cingular and screwed me bad; cut minutes in half, doubled the cost and horrible customer service. I've had excellent call quality/reception and great customer service with VZW ever since. I have friends right now that are counting the days until their AT&T contracts are finished; been w/AT&T for years & had enough.

Enough of that; this is not the forum for it! Want to be sure you're up-to-speed:: this will be my 1st smartphone and the consensus of info I've read is that WP's may be somewhat easier for seniors who are 1st-time smartphone users. For some time I thought WP's weren't to be taken seriously and I found the homescreens represented unattractive and possibly boring. Then I started reading reviews, looking at pics, etc. and became intrigued - and now I've ended-up here getting info & advice from people who know WP's.

I read an article on PhoneArena.com that Lumia 928 & 822(?) are getting the WP8.1 update possibly over the next few weeks. From what I've read, I definitely want 8.1 - but Lumia does not have an sd slot & only 1gb RAM. Hence my interest in the ATIV SE.

Sorry if this seems like trivial rambling, but I hope to keep my next phone at least as long as my Samsung Rogue - 5 yrs old Christmas Eve.
Sincere Thanks Gents - I'll check back tomorrow!

 

[SeniorGuest]

Thanks Marquis! How soon do you think? And what would you consider a fair price for a near-mint unit? Supposedly original box, docs, etc.

 

[Jose_Rey]

I don't have a problem going to Verizon or any carrier. I'm on prepaid now. But as of this moment, I think I'm getting the most bang for my buck on Cricket. I was looking at Verizon prepaid... however, from the two areas of Verizon site I have looked at, the Ativ SE does not seem to be a supported device on prepaid. Don't know how it works with them, but with AT&T, any device can be used with either gophone or cricket. And from my search on the web, it seems phone choices are limited on Verizon prepaid.

EDIT: My suggestion would be to check with Verizon if the phone is even allowed on prepaid before making the purchase.

 

[Rogozinski]

Hi! I can recommend the Ativ SE. The Ativ SE is a beautiful Phone with a very good camera! Windows 8.1 will come hopefully in january 2015

 

[SeniorGuest]

Liking this Forum! Useful info without the trash-talk so common elsewhere.

el-ojo:: Still am considering Cricket; concern is coverage map in my area not great = this is my only phone; no landline. Being a senior myself, means Mom is in her mid-80s and I want to be sure she can reach me any time. Yep, that is an advantage to GSM - pop-in your SIM and you should be ok. My experience w/VZW so far has been very good, if not great, in all areas.
Via a Chat Session with & phone call to VZW, any unlocked VZW phone can be used on pre-paid. Already planned to be 100% sure before purchase. My concern is pre-programming certain phones for pre-paid = erroneous info. Hope that makes sense.

Halev:: Thank You for the info. The gist I am finding is that the SE is somewhat a Galaxy S4 w/Windows OS. Encouraging because I began shopping for S3's, then decided the S4 worth the extra $$ via the specs = money better spent on a phone that will "keep up" w/tech advances further into the future. Then a co-worker purchased a Lumia 635 on Brightspot/T-Mobile and LOVES it...Then I began reading about WP's. Desire for better specs than the 635 lead me to SE. Also, Lumia 928 is on VZW pre-paid page, but I really want an sd slot; WP8.1 has already been released for 928's, though.
I hope you are correct about Jan. 2015 for the SE. I found a mint SE for $249 [more than I intended to spend] that appears to still have the plastic sheet adhered to the screen = never used!?! Comes w/original box, docs, etc. Trying to decide!! Also, looking at other possibilities...

Hope everyone has a fun but safe Holiday Season...

 

[anon(2358715)]

I have the Samsung ATIV SE and love it except for the fact that 8.1 is not available. Very frustrated since there are so many more features with 8.1 including Cortana.

 

[SeniorGuest]

ThankYou tomcat...and here's some info you may not yet know:: in the articles 'ribbon' at the top of this website, and I'm not sure which one it is, there is an article in which MS is quoted stating ALL WP's beginning with WP8 - not just 8.1 - will be included in the Win10 Update. Also in the 'ribbon' was a previous MS article stating 8.1 or later would be included - unless I am totally misunderstanding, which is possible as I am a senior w/limited tech knowledge.

Bottom-line, this is very frustrating for me as well. The used ATIV SE I was monitoring was briefly sold then returned, again available for sale at a reduced price. It was 'gone' for about a week; I think the temporary owner returned it because 8.1 was not available? So absurd for such a nice phone.

And FYI:: I have read several problems/issues after installing WP8.1 Dev.Preview on the SE. Unless you are extremely tech-savvy, may be better to resist any such temptation. I may buy it anyway - I tried one in a Verizon store and liked it better than any smartphone I put my hands on that day. Including the HTC M8-Windows, Lumia Icon, and several Android phones. Icon's close 2nd but no SD slot!

If 8.1 was available, I would have already purchased it!
Thanks again tomcat...