Connect with us

Editorials

Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.2 Release Date Predictions

Published

on

One of the burning Android 4.2 Jelly Bean questions amongst Android users is when the update will be coming to the two other Nexus devices that will be getting the update and are still are running Android 4.1. Those devices of course are the Sprint Galaxy Nexus and the Verizon Galaxy Nexus, both of which are still without an upgrade to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, Google’s latest Android software.

Read: 5 Thoughts on the Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.2 Update.

Back in November, Google rolled out Android 4.2 Jelly Bean to owners of the unlocked Samsung Galaxy Nexus and the Nexus 7 tablet, both of which remain the only two devices outside of the Nexus 4 and Nexus 10 running Android 4.2.

Shortly after the roll out, Google essentially confirmed that the Nexus S and Motorola Xoom would not be getting the boost up to Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and would instead remain on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, Google’s previous version. And while Google clarified the situation for owners of the Nexus S, Nexus S 4G and Motorola Xoom, owners of the carrier-branded Galaxy Nexus devices are still without answers or a clue as to when the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update might roll out.

Android 4.2 Jelly Bean might be an incremental update between Android 4.1 and Android 5.0 Key Lime Pie, rumored for a May debut at Google I/O, but it still packs a considerable punch. Our favorite features can be seen in the video below.

As a Nexus 7 owner, I’m already running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean on my tablet and as I said in my review, I think it’s a fantastic update. Unfortunately, I’m also a Verizon Galaxy Nexus owner and the silence, lack of leaks or information, and Verizon’s checkered past have left me wondering when I might finally get my Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update and more importantly, access to Photo Stream, one of the feature’s I’m really looking forward to.

Despite the lack of a firm roll out date, it’s time to make some predictions in regards to the Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.2 release date, a release date that owners have been looking forward to since the end of October.

Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.2 Release Date Predictions

At this point, given the lack of any official information, it’s nearly impossible to pinpoint a Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.2 Release Date. Still, we can make some educated predictions about the release date based on Samsung and Verizon’s past efforts.

galaxy-nexus-review-8-471x620

The Verizon Galaxy Nexus is still without Android 4.2.

Android 4.2 Release Date After the Holidays

Back when the Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners were waiting for the Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update, it proceeded to leak out several times prior to its release date. Those leaks happened several weeks before the update officially rolled out. This allowed users, who wished to take the plunge, to install an official but unofficial piece of software before the release date arrived.

Since November, the Galaxy Nexus Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update has leaked a grand total of zero times. That doesn’t confirm that a release date isn’t close but it certainly isn’t a good sign. Typically updates that are close or are at least making headway leak to surface in one form or another so the fact that the Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.2 update hasn’t surfaced is a little disheartening.

What’s more is that the holidays are here and that means that things likely won’t be full steam ahead. It also didn’t help that the Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update was riddled with bugs when it arrived back in November.

So unless Samsung and Verizon miraculously pull off a present of epic proportions at some point this week, it’s looking like the Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update will likely come after Christmas at the earliest and more likely, after 2012 is over.

Samsung is planning a slew of updates in January it seems and it could be that the Verizon Galaxy Nexus Android 4.2 Jelly Bean update is one of them. If we had to make a prediction, don’t expect the update until late January.

Galaxy S3 Style Release

Previous Verizon updates went like so. The software would leak out, then, a rumored release date would emerge. Shortly after that, Verizon would make an announcement that the update would start rolling out in phases and then, about a week later, all users would see the software roll out. With the Galaxy S3, Verizon changed the game up a little bit in that it made the software available to all users right off the bat.

Verizon-Galaxy-S-III-Display-620x4101-575x380132

Verizon rolled out the Galaxy S3 Jelly Bean update quickly and efficiently.

I think Verizon will do this with the Galaxy Nexus as well. The Android 4.1 Jelly Bean update roll out  for the Galaxy S3 was efficient and it wasn’t confusing to owners who didn’t realize that phases generally means a long wait, So, it’s a roll out method worth mimicking.

galaxy-nexus-review-12-300x159Despite Wait, Happy Galaxy Nexus Owners

I think owners have a long wait ahead of them, again I’m thinking late January, but despite the wait, I think there are going to be some pleased Verizon Galaxy Nexus owners out there. Why? Because no matter the nonsense, Samsung and Verizon do a great job of ensuring that the software is relatively bug-free. Android 4.2 Jelly Bean was full of issues when it arrived for Nexus 7 and Nexus 10 owners and still is.

Verizon simply won’t allow that to happen and while it could spark a lengthy wait, I think Verizon is going to ensure that the update that does arrive is bug free, stable and as smooth as butter.

Believe me, Galaxy Nexus owners, you’d rather have a bug-free update that takes a bit of time rather than a rushed, buggy update.

9 Comments

9 Comments

  1. Ed Minister

    12/19/2012 at 5:16 am

    you mean you’re waiting for photo sphere, not photo stream, mayhaps?

    ~fellow Vz Gnex’er

  2. Jerry Thomas

    12/19/2012 at 11:00 am

    Am on the JB 4.2.1 .. and it’s much better with the panorama snap and gesture typing.. and many more features

  3. GeorgeMN

    12/19/2012 at 8:42 pm

    When are we getting it on Verizon? Not until Big Red manages to pissoff all their Galaxy Nexus users… Then add another three months.

  4. Peter

    12/20/2012 at 4:57 am

    That’s odd. I’ve been following the news about Android pretty closely, and this is the first I’ve heard of there being any bugs in the Android 4.2 update. I wonder why?

  5. Ryan Terry

    12/21/2012 at 3:14 pm

    Thanks again for a worthless article full of recycled information with the intent of whoring search result hits, just like every other tech “news” organization.

  6. steve

    12/23/2012 at 7:23 am

    I have a galaxy nexus and the 4.2 up grade keeps crashing called Google and no help but factory reset. did still crashes

  7. Simon

    12/24/2012 at 1:28 pm

    The OG RAZR and maxx are getting 4.1.2 from Verizon today. Which if you ask means they don’t care about the galaxy nexus anymore. So much for 1st to receive the latest

  8. André

    01/06/2013 at 5:40 pm

    Have an unlocked galaxy nexus and have not recieved the 4.2 update as stated in the article

    • mike

      01/15/2013 at 1:42 am

      It is extremely easy to unlock and root your phone (YouTube has videos showing exactly how) and install cyanogen mod 10.1 that is very smooth and running android 4.2.1, why wait for Verizon to decide when and what you do with your phone?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.