We thought this might be the case, and now we know for sure -- the Samsung Galaxy Ace won't be updated to Android 4.0, aka Ice Cream Sandwich.
The brilliant budget blower will not be feeling the cool caress of the latest, greatest version of Android, Samsung confirmed to us in a statement.
The statement, which also confirms that the 7-inch Samsung Galaxy Tab won't be getting an update, reads, "There are still no plans to offer ICS on the Tab 7.0, or Ace."
It continues, "The situation remains the same as it did before Xmas in that the hardware specifications of those devices is limited to and fully optimised for the Gingerbread experience."
So it sounds as though Samsung has deemed the Ace not powerful enough to wield the mighty Ice Cream Sandwich update -- news that is bound to disappoint update-hungry Ace owners.
The Ace had previously been omitted from Samsung's list of devices that it would be updating to Android 4.0, along with the Samsung Galaxy S. We had heard that the Galaxy S might be getting the update after all, but now it looks like that update could take the form of an 'Android value pack' that will bring enhancements including web surfing and better multi-tasking, but not the full Ice Cream Sandwich update.
We understand phones can't be updated forever, and that a device's hardware eventually won't be able to keep up with demanding new software. But leaving owners to stew, waiting to find out if their recently bought mobile will get updated is no way to make friends. This Craver reckons these sloppy update shenanigans are seriously hurting Android.
Samsung just unveiled the Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus, a follow-up to the Ace that sports a new design, but will also be stuck on Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
Do you own an Ace? Do you think it should be updated? And do you think manufacturers -- and Google -- are doing enough to communicate update news to owners? Tell us in the comments, or on our Facebook wall.
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Comments 23
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stilldontknow 4 January, 2012 05:12
The Ace is a budget phone so not entirely surprising, given its spec, that it's not getting the upgrade. What is surprising is that the Galaxy W, a supposedly mid range and only recently released phone, is also not on the upgrade list. Pretty poor for a phone wth a £200+ price tag.
anonymous 4 January, 2012 08:09
update to ics Need it
anonymous 5 January, 2012 16:28
why can't it be updated to ICS...It's an entirly business scheme.....an update to ICS can be made as per the phone specifications...if they make every thing updatabe to such a budget phone, company's new smart phones could be under shade,that's why they are not willing to do so...
anonymous 6 January, 2012 16:35
Next time, windows phone. Companies like Samsung bring shame to android.
U don't see none of this on windows platforms
anonymous 7 January, 2012 15:05
It's not surprising this happened, besides the nexus (has 4,0) has relatively poor battery life to its competitors on 2.3.* and some are sating it's the powerful software (hence why only high end phones can run 4.0)
And as for windows phones, you won't get these omissions as all windows phones are high end (they have to be.)
anonymous 7 January, 2012 15:08
not to worry, cm9 will probably make a 4.0 copy for the ace in the near future.
anonymous 8 January, 2012 18:31
i m a nokia lover after a long time shifted to samsung but took galaxy ace and found samsung updating tech is ancient they ate too slow , dont liasten to users demand and dont value their customers at all.. worst part no regular updates for old devices lake ace. and when updated is followed bugs are not fixed.. very poor customers handeling by samsung feels htc or nokia to be on top as atleast they care for their old customers ...
never purchase samsung phones as no regular software ( firmware os) updates provided... poor service...
anonymous 27 January, 2012 13:33
no worries..odin rules
anonymous 4 February, 2012 22:06
Not everyone can afford to spend lots on the highest spec mobiles. Does that mean they should be treated like second class citizens and not get the upgrades more expensive mobiles get?
If Samsung think not updating will force people to buy more expensive gear then shame on them !! All it will do is lose them customers.
I love my Ace , upgrades or not.
anonymous 16 February, 2012 11:32
The ace isnt obselete its still been sold new right now in shops, so samsung are poor showing here, also ICS has lower requirements than gingerbread, everyone is assuming it needs super duper hardware when it doesnt.
anonymous 20 February, 2012 20:17
"Next time, windows phone. Companies like Samsung bring shame to android.
U don't see none of this on windows platforms"
Thats because Windows Phone are never updated!
anonymous 24 March, 2012 04:37
low internal storage even install all apps to sd card, wifi keep errors, we need update badly
anonymous 29 March, 2012 07:39
we need ics in samsung calaxy ace, google has to do something.....
anonymous 12 April, 2012 12:42
if my ace doesnt get ICS my next handy will be windows phone
anonymous 12 April, 2012 22:47
hey.
im owner of G-Ace.
the good about this phone that is equal the low price.
And that is good for people ho can not afford G S...
So bad that we dont get the update,on our version there is aloute of bugs and apps that not supported.
But after all - its aloute but aloute better than Apple Iphone [bahh]!!
anonymous 26 April, 2012 11:56
Need ICS on ACE.....
anonymous 25 May, 2012 13:01
I am sorry but saying that the hardware isn't compatible is utter bullshit!
There are custom ROM communities hard at work as we speak developing Ice Cream Sandwich for the Galaxy Ace, Gio and Mini and they have been very successful even without the proper drivers of certain things like the camera. but that doesn't stop them and every update gets better.
Samsung is just moving on to the next best thing leaving current customers to rot.
anonymous 6 June, 2012 15:35
Phone needs bumping up to ics useless without it!!
anonymous 25 October, 2012 18:33
But theres loads of unofficial versions of ics for the ace is available, and they work fine! So samsung is talking balls! :(
anonymous 21 December, 2012 05:46
pls upgrade ACE to ICS!!! its necessary..............!
Next time only SONY no Samsung!!!
i believe in Samsung no more!!! :-(
anonymous 26 December, 2012 08:00
buy xperia tipo every one as ace is very bad xperia tipo uses android 4.0 and will get jelly bean is only 9000
anonymous 1 February, 2013 20:20
Really fed up. Especially as Samsung had posted on the support page for the Ace 'How to upgrade to ICS' ... even to the point where they stated that Ace owners might have to go through several upgrade steps with the Kies software to get to ICS.
Wouldnt have bought it if Samsung had been up front about it....ah, yes, probably why they were being vague!
Feel ripped off by Samsung.
anonymous 20 March, 2013 13:53
Kinda sucks, especially not updating the Galaxy Ace Plus!
However, those saying you don't get this with Windows Phones are wrong! The Nokia Lumia phones that were released with Windows Phone 7 then patched to mango will not be upgraded to Widows phone 8, not only that, but apps developed for WP8 are not backward compatible with WP7, so no more apps are likely to be developed, meaning those phone are pretty much defunct!