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Should you still buy a phone with Android KitKat?

AndroidPIT Sony Xperia Z3 Android KitKat 4 4 4
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We love a good affordable phone here at AndroidPIT, and we've certainly seen a lot cross our desks this year. The question is, though: how important is the Android version that a new phone runs on? With all the cheap devices out there still running Android KitKat and the holiday buying season almost upon us, should you buy one?

The simple answer is no. There are several reasons why, and we'll outline those below. While it might seem like you have to settle for KitKat in order to get a phone that's affordable, look a little deeper and you'll find that there are heaps of super-affordable phones this year and most of them are running Android Lollipop.

androidpit mid range smartphones 2
How important is the Android version on the phone you're thinking of buying? / © ANDROIDPIT

1. You'll be stuck in update limbo

It's a simple fact that a cheap new phone that is still running Android KitKat is never going to be updated to Android Lollipop. With Android 6.0 Marshmallow already out, and appearing on more and more devices, it's safe to say that if a phone is still sitting on KitKat, it's not going anywhere in a hurry.

Many smartphone manufacturers in the entry-level arena simply don't bother updating their cheapest phones for very long (if at all). We still think KitKat was an excellent Android release – see our why KitKat is better than Lollipop article for the reasons – but we just can't recommend that anyone actually goes buys a phone with KitKat on it now.

Androidpit System update Nexus 6P 2
Newer devices will get newer versions of Android for longer. / © ANDROIDPIT

2. You'll be more vulnerable

KitKat is now two years old, and a lot has happened on the security front since it came out. Marshmallow, for instance, has introduced granular app permissions and monthly security updates.

We also had the massive Stagefright scare, which KitKat devices are particularly prone to. Lollipop isn't as advanced as Marshmallow on this front, but it's light years ahead of KitKat.

KitKat devices are particularly vulnerable to the Stagefright exploit and other security concerns

3. Apps won't be compatible

App compatibility is another problem for KitKat. With each new Android API level increase, apps need to be updated to be compatible with the new Android features Google rolls out.

Some apps update to keep up with the times and others don't. But if you're using a phone that still has KitKat on it, you're going to find yourself being told a new app is incompatible with your device more and more often.

AndroidPIT Galaxy S5 Note 5 ROM app drawer
The older your version of Android, the smaller your app choice will become. / © ANDROIDPIT

4. Battery life will suck

Another problem with discounted phones and tablets running KitKat is that while they may seem like a steal, they come with other costs. Battery life is a key factor to consider here, and we're not just talking about Marshmallow's excellent Doze mode or App Standby.

Lollipop has a default Battery Saver mode, but KitKat has no such thing, meaning you'll be traveling back to a time when you have very little control over battery life. If you find a battery draining bug on your KitKat device, don't expect a patch to fix it either.

If you find a battery draining bug on your KitKat device, don't expect a patch to fix it

5. There are better options out there

The good news is that we've seen a lot of excellent and very affordable smartphones come this year. The Zenfone 2, OnePlus X, Honor 7, Huawei P8 Lite, Moto G (2015), the list goes on.

Affordable phones are becoming solid alternatives to the high-end flagships. All of the phones above are running Android Lollipop and most fall within the US$200-250 price range.

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There are some great low-cost choices out there already on Android Lollipop. / © ANDROIDPIT

The moral of the story

I repeat: do not buy a new Android phone or tablet that is still running Android 4.4 KitKat. Compared with a device running Lollipop or Marshmallow it is more vulnerable, compatible with fewer apps, less stable and unsupported. It also won't be updated and will have worse battery life. With so many other affordable options available, it's not worth putting up with that. 

So when you see that massively discounted Android device in stores this holiday season, turn it on, head to Settings > About phone and check the Android version. If it says Android 4.4, kindly put it back down and continue your search. You – and the person you might be giving it to – will thank me for it.

What version of Android are you on? Would you still buy a KitKat device? Tell us what you think in the comments.

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Kris Carlon

Kris Carlon
Senior Editor

Kris is a former AndroidPIT Editor who came to the team via a lengthy period spent traveling and relying on technology to keep him in touch with the outside world. He can usually be found juggling three phones at once and poring over G+ posts, Reddit and RSS feeds.

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7 comments
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  • Muhammad Irfan Luthfi 1
    Muhammad Irfan Luthfi Jan 20, 2017 Link to comment

    My Xperia T3 still on kitkat 4.4.4, I got it on September 2014, and today it still alive... :). And there's no app compatibility issue as far as I know, the battery..? sucks..? no.., the battery still in good performance.., 2 days without battery saver. And as far as I know this is the only version of Android that provide option to user, ART and Dalvik mode...


  • 1
    Rahul Gupta Jan 14, 2017 Link to comment

    Today is 14 Jan 2017 and my Samsung Galaxy Note 2 with Kitkat 4.4.2 is working perfectly and supporting each app without any exception. Even this time the highest percentage of android OS is Kitkat in android device market. So my phone can work two three years more.


  • Bogdan Povkh 4
    Bogdan Povkh Dec 5, 2015 Link to comment

    I think no. My android 4.0.4 still alive :)


  • 49
    storm Dec 3, 2015 Link to comment

    The article neglects real analysis. To me the key question is "How is the developer community for the specific phone?" Then, is it easily and realiably rootable. With those two questions answered, a KitKat phone can be as modern with the OS as brand new phones, often with more updates and more options than the factory or carrier offers. ROMs rule the roost with older phones. The developer community is where long term phone support really resides. This usually means looking at what are or were mainstream devices as fringe phones tend to lack the best support.


  • 46
    Deactivated Account Dec 3, 2015 Link to comment

    Two points of this article I do not agree with. One is the stability of KitKat over lollipop. My S3 has hardly ever had issues of stability. My wife's note 4 with lollipop has had a lot of stability issues she has to take the battery out at least once a week. One reason I will never buy a phone with out a removable battery. The only issues I have ever had where app related. For a company not to keep software up to date and current for at least 5 years is BS. Just imagine if Microsoft quit supporting window 7 since windows 10 is out. . The second is battery life, my battery last better than most new phone I rarely get blow 50% in a normal full day use. Lot of people I know with Lollipop can't make it through the day with the same amount of usage. I agree buying a new high end phone you want to last a long time with KitKat would be a bad choice. On older or lower end devices it not as much a bad choice. I also would never use a cellphone running anything for on line purchases. This pay with your phone is just too risky for me. To much valuable information to easily lost or intercepted.

    Jessica Fajardo


  • 31
    Deactivated Account Dec 3, 2015 Link to comment

    my Samsung note 12 pro....still on kit kat 4.4.2 after 14 months... in real life comparison with an older Nexus 7 (M6.0) running the same apps, this so called flagship tablet runs appallingly slow, the best example of older software and how touchwize and unremovable bloatware can destroy a smooth user experience, I don't think upgrade to M6.0 is ever gonna happen or improve things.
    personally I'm not going to buy, try, or consider any device by Samsung, or any other company that can't support or update current software.


  • Xakarier Bashyr 6
    Xakarier Bashyr Dec 3, 2015 Link to comment

    i think no.. we all need new things..being outdated is no one's crush.

    Deactivated Account

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