Samsung 2.3 Gingerbread update for Galaxy S uncertain despite Nexus S similarities
Samsung developed something of a reputation for itself as reluctant to upgrade older Android devices in favor of preserving the prestige of its newer handsets, and the company's response to questions regarding an Android 2.3 Gingerbread update for the Samsung Galaxy S family of smartphones is unlikely to disperse any paranoia. A company spokesperson told Pocket-lint that an official Gingerbread upgrade is still undecided, blaming – among other things – "system requirements" and "the overall effect of such Update to Samsung products."
"In case a new version of Android operating system is publicly announced and released, Samsung will review the possibility of implementation of such new version to the existing Samsung products with Android operating system ("Update").Such a review will be based on various factors including, without limitation, the overall effect of such Update to Samsung products, the system requirements, the structural limitations, and the level of cooperation from the component suppliers and the software licensors" Samsung spokesperson
Interestingly, Android lead developer Dan Morrill has already stated that Gingerbread's hardware requirements are basically "similar" to those of Froyo before it. Given the fact that the Nexus S and the Galaxy S are so similar in terms of their core hardware, we can't imagine there are significant technical aspects limiting the update (though obviously hardware-related features like NFC wouldn't function, since the Galaxy S range lacks the necessary chip).
The ball is firmly in Samsung's corner this time, and it seems more like a marketing and range-protection decision than anything to do with the Galaxy S itself. Hopefully – for the company's reputation, if nothing else – they'll do the right thing for customers this time around.