Latest Android Lollipop v5 software - big problems

[lindaclegg]

I had a perfectly working Samsung Galaxy S5 until 3 dsys ago when it prompted me to install a software update to Lollipop v5.

Since I installed the new software version my smart phone is basically ruined. The device can't stay connected to wifi for more than 60 seconds at a time, apps are running slow and freezing, the back of the device is visible warm and the battery is draining v quickly. I feel like I've gone back in time 10 years as all I can really do with my smartphone now is make/receive calls and text!

The software update has left me with a smart phone that can't do anything 'smart' and I'm furious! I rely on my phone a lot. I called Vodafone who couldn't help and put me through to Samsung Technical Support, and they also couldn't help. I've done a Factory Data Reset and that's made no difference, so I'm asking what is being done to resolve this issue which I know is affecting a lot of people, how long will it take, and what compensation / good will gesture will be given to loyal customers like me who, through no fault of their own, have been left without a working smart phone.

This latest software is evidently not fit for purpose and is riddled with bugs/problems. It should never have been released.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

[lindaclegg]

Just to update you all. I had to take my phone to my local Vodafone shop in the end as it was worse than useless. I called Vodafone customer services up front and they logged all the details so when I went to the local shop and gave my customer info it was all there on the screen.

I have to say I received good service from Vodafone as I my phone was sent off, repaired, and back at the local shop in 3 business days. I'd backed everything up externally beforehand so nothing was lost due to the repair. My phone now has the Lollipop software and although there are some elements I don't like (eg the phone no longer has a mute mode!) at least the phone is now working.

[hrym]

Thanks for posting your positive experience.  It's nice to hear that things can go smoothly!

A number of people have commented on the lack of a mute mode and it seems to be a Samsung thing.   You may find it comes back in a minor update in the future.

[SandpiperNC]

The recent Lollipop update has turned an awesome phone into a pile of pants. The update is not fit for purpose. There is no way this has been tested properly. There were no issues or problems reported during the upgrade process and it was plugged into the mains for safety despite having a full charge anyway. In fact, I was initially impressed at how smooth it was. How wrong could I have been.

Contacts and Messages crash / stop several times a day and every so often this requires a reboot to fix the problem. Other built in Apps / Services also crash / stop regularly. Apps run ALOT slower. WiFi struggles to connect at times. I never use "Car Mode" and yet it ocaisionnally turns itself on when connected to the car and I'm unable to turn it back off as the button remains disabled. Then to top it all off, you lose an extra 1Gb of memory and yet no new or improved features.

I have backed up my device and done a factory reset more than once but that does not do anything.

Vodafone have seriously gone down in my opinion and I certainly won't be encouraging anyone else to change provider (and we have over 1200 employees) until Vodafone fix the problems.

[Retired-Rodney]

Hi @SandpiperNC,

I'm sorry to hear you feel this way and I'll ensure it's fed back to the relevant team. 

For more information on our firmware updates, please see our website.

Thanks,

Rodney 

[Sheephelmet]

So, given that more than a few folk are experiencing major issues with the upgrade, when can we realistically expect the new 5.1 version which supposedly fixes the majority of these issues to be released by Vodafone?

I am having the exact same issues, I have factory reset it, removed the sim card and rebooted, cleared the app cache, the lot and the phone is almost useless.

A reputable source recently stated that 5.1 would be released in the UK by the end of February, so is this a case of Vodafone have got the new version and are thoroughly testing it this time before releasing it?

Either way, we all need an idea of when we could reasonably expect some sort to rectification of this issue.

Thanks in advance

[davidgorringe]

Rodney

Mine sucks too despite doing everything suggested.

Please pass on my disappointment too.

David Gorringe

[thesoupdragon]

It sounds to me that the Over The Air update has some sort of corruption within it.
As a previous poster mentioned, they had the firmware reflashed which sorted out the problem.

That would appear to be to best option. Laura has posted the repair process above.

TSD 🙂

[Sheephelmet]

I don't think the OTA is anything to do with it. I did mine through Kies and it has been the exact same problems that those who got the OTA are having. I did another factory reset last night, that's my third one incidentally, so I have not spent much time on putting the phone back to how I like it honest guv! Fingers crossed, it seems quite a bit smoother and nothing has crashed yet. I will report back at the end of the day to see what happens. Regardless, it shouldn't take 3 factory resets to make it work!

[usul1]

I was dissapointed with S5 from beginning, those constant reminders about locking usb slots, or sometimes after unlocking the phone, it reminds about pushing the rear cover.

It is annoying, and affects user experience.

But now it is complete failure.

Lollipop is terrible. It's like someone at google decided they have too much share of the market, and need to loose some customers.

Let's take that stupid white backgrounds for example, that drain battery much quicker.

And it's soo much slower, apps are crashing, the other day I lost all my messaging history, complete blank (it was back after phone restart).

I finally understand why NOKIA was against using other systems, and was sticking with its own Symbian.

I bought Samsung, that was OK(ish), software update by Google, and phone becomes junk.

That is my last Samsung/Android phone. Using that thing is just too frustrating for me. 

[thesoupdragon]

Hi usal1

Unfortunately you are not getting a true Google Android experience. Samsung make huge changes to the stock "vanilla" Android OS. In my opinion Samsung over bloat the phone with pointless gimmicks.

Stock Lollipop is a beautiful OS with quick fluid animations.

Other manufacturers such as HTC and LG make minimal changes, in fact only include improvement features.
LG are making this one of their selling points...

I hope you don't lose faith in Android?

TSD 🙂