Samsung UK: No Lollipop or Marshmallow for the Galaxy TabPRO 8.4

For a significant segment of the Samsung supportive, updates to their device’s Android version is an on-going and, at times trying, battle. Comment sections are often filled with angry users complaining about their product of choice being “abandoned”, and unfortunately today’s news is not going to alleviate any terse tensions: Samsung UK has announced, via a post on Twitter, that last year’s Galaxy TabPRO 8.4 will not be updated past Android 4.4 KitKat:

Before the outcry starts, please be aware that (1) this announcement is specifically for the UK region and that (2) it does not necessarily mean that other products, such as the TabPRO 10.1 or 12.2 will also fail to see future updates. It is also unclear what will ultimately happen to the Galaxy NotePRO 12.2 as well.

Suffice to say however, GSM Arena already has two pages full of comments, and basically all range the spectrum of anger. As the Galaxy TabPRO 8.4 released in early 2014, some have found it perplexing that Samsung has not provided any major firmware updates for it. Some have assumed the problem is the device’s 2GB of RAM which would possibly cause slowdown should it be updated to Lollipop or Marshmallow.

While the news may be disappointing for some, do keep in mind that TouchWiz itself often has features and UI elements that core Android doesn’t. Likewise, just because the device may not be updated in the future – at least as far as Android version numbers go – it shouldn’t drmatically change one’s ability to enjoy the tablet provided everything works smoothly.

It is also worth pointing out that, while those who read a story like this will inevitably be quite upset, the vast majority of the general public has no interest and/or awareness of OS versions and thus are unlikely to care either way with respect to this new development.

With that said, we are interested in hearing your reactions. Has Samsung created an unfortunate new precedent by terminating support so soon after release? Or was the TabPRO 8.4 overshadowed by the Tab S 8.4 that was announced shortly after? Leave us your comments below and let us know!