Bad Android Tablet Upgrade

HergestPhil

My Lenovo Tab M10 Plus Gen 3 tablet recently received an update to Android 13.  It's unbelievably bad.  A permanent light-grey taskbar strip at the bottom of the screen with google app launch buttons that cannot be changed.  The navigation buttons go missing, making it impossible to switch apps, performance seems worse, and it no longer seems to support fast charging.  I believe Lenovo have pushed this out without testing, and support tell me there is no option to go back.  They cannot commit to any dates where an updated fixed version may be available.

I was very happy with the product before this update, but now I am very irritated by it.  I would say it is not fit for purpose.  I have a 1 year limited warranty, which runs out in less than two months.

I wonder what my rights are.

Ideally I would like to get it back to its previous functional state (Android 12) and disable automatic updates so I don't get the bad "upgrade".

Options:

1. I could attempt to flash an older image to the device, but I understand this will invalidate my warranty.

2. Should I contact the online site that I purchased the device from, to ask for a replacement, or return and purchase it again?

3. Request a fix under the Lenovo warranty?

I could wait to see if Lenovo release a fixed version, but frankly I don't think they know what they are doing.  If I wait too long, the device goes out of warranty.

Any advice?

RefluentBeans

Sorry to hear you're having issues. 

Can you confirm who pushed the update - was it Lenovo, or Google/Android? Also - I take it there is no way to factory reset the device to how it was delivered to you?

You have consumer rights with the company you purchased it from, but I think you'll have difficulty to get them to replace the product to be honest - as I don't know how far their liability extends. If the fault was physical, you may be able to get them to admit the fault was inherent, but software updates may or may not be classed as inherent faults, and I think that it's more likely to be on the side of not inherently faulty, and so no liability via consumer rights act. I think you'll have a hard time with the retailer, to be honest, and think the only way to enforce your rights would be via court, but they have a pretty good defense of 'it's a user-installed update - therefore not faulty when we gave it, and not our issue'.  

So, it's worth considering software. The software has consumer rights but is more limited. So the question is whether the software was installed by Lenovo or Google/Android. Either way, you should be able to ask for a repair or replacement of the software. If the software is faulty (which it sounds like Lenovo isn't contesting). CAB has an article: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/phone-internet-downloads-or-tv/problem-with-an-app-software-or-download/. A solution you may wish to advise you are willing to accept is for them to reflash the device. 

With regards to Lenovo Warranty - does this include software? Warranties are on top of your legal rights, and they can include or exclude what they want, as they do not impede your rights. 

So the TLDR version is to follow the below:

1. Check if a factory reset solves the issue (it may just work, or it may not)
2. Can certainly attempt asking the retailer if they can assist - sometimes they will, but I don't actually think they have liability here. 
3. Can attempt to go through the Lenovo Warranty - they may exclude software issues from their warranty (or offer it as an extended warranty/premium warranty only option)
4. Whoever issues the update has obligations under the Consumer Rights Act to provide digital content. If this is Lenovo, then ask for the repair (including them reflashing for you, so you maintain your warranty).
5. If all else fails - make the judgment call - see if you want to pursue this further. I'm not sure how you could pursue this in court - think specific action (i.e. getting an update to the device to make it work) is unlikely, and not sure what damages you could claim. If it gets to this point - I'd probably come back and get more advice. Of course, if you think it's too much hassle - could reflash yourself - and if in 2 months another issue that is a warranty issue comes up, just not say anything unless asked. 

Hope that helps - this is a very complex issue, and its not exactly clear who your rights are with, but I do think the best bet is with whoever issued the update. 

born_again

1st port of call contact lenovo support on the issue.

Alderbank

Can you confirm who pushed the update - was it Lenovo, or Google/Android? Also - I take it there is no way to factory reset the device to how it was delivered to you?

@RefluentBeans, Android end users don't get get Android updates directly from Google (unless they have a Google-made device like a Pixel phone of course). They get a curated version customised to their device by the manufacturer weeks, sometimes months, after the initial launch.

Lenovo Windows devices are fine, I'm happy with my Yoga laptops, but Lenovo Android devices have a lot of software-related issues. Lenovo's support site for Lenovo Android based Tablets and Phablets is full of complaints about the exact issue that the OP has.
Lenovo confirm that roll back to Android 12 or earlier is not possible on their tablets. A few posters claim to have found fixes or workarounds but the feedback is mostly you have to wait till Lenovo have sorted the issues and release an update. Users complain that Lenovo release upgrades without properly testing and debugging them.

Example:
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-Android-based-Tablets-and-Phablets/Roll-back-Android-13-update-on-Lenovo-M10-plus-3rd-gen/m-p/5247763

RefluentBeans

Alderbank said:

Can you confirm who pushed the update - was it Lenovo, or Google/Android? Also - I take it there is no way to factory reset the device to how it was delivered to you?

@RefluentBeans, Android end users don't get get Android updates directly from Google (unless they have a Google-made device like a Pixel phone of course). They get a curated version customised to their device by the manufacturer weeks, sometimes months, after the initial launch.

Lenovo Windows devices are fine, I'm happy with my Yoga laptops, but Lenovo Android devices have a lot of software-related issues. Lenovo's support site for Lenovo Android based Tablets and Phablets is full of complaints about the exact issue that the OP has.
Lenovo confirm that roll back to Android 12 or earlier is not possible on their tablets. A few posters claim to have found fixes or workarounds but the feedback is mostly you have to wait till Lenovo have sorted the issues and release an update. Users complain that Lenovo release upgrades without properly testing and debugging them.

Example:
https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-Android-based-Tablets-and-Phablets/Roll-back-Android-13-update-on-Lenovo-M10-plus-3rd-gen/m-p/5247763

Thanks for that! I didn’t know that it was the manufacturers that pushed the updates! Can see why there’s issues with it now! 

PHK

There is a long history of Lenovo pushing out improperly tested Android updates. Including one that complety bricked the tablet.

The windows devices are fine but I would avoid the Android tablets.

I your situation, I would keep on at Lenovo support. Be calm, steady but firm. Tell them you want the taet either fixed or swapped for a working model. If they won't play ball then you'll take them to court for the value of the tablet they've broken.

cajef

I have a Samsung tablet running Android 13 without any problems at all I would doubt  that it anything to do with the Android version.

Alderbank

cajef said:

I have a Samsung tablet running Android 13 without any problems at all I would doubt  that it anything to do with the Android version.

No you don't.
You have a Samsung tablet running One UI 5 which is Samsung's modified version of Android 13. The reviews of that version are excellent.

My phone is running ColorOS 13 which is another great version of Android 13

Unfortunately the OP's tablet is stuck with running Lenovo's modified (some would say 'mangled') version of Android 13

RefluentBeans

Alderbank said:

cajef said:

I have a Samsung tablet running Android 13 without any problems at all I would doubt  that it anything to do with the Android version.

No you don't.
You have a Samsung tablet running One UI 5 which is Samsung's modified version of Android 13. The reviews of that version are excellent.

My phone is running ColorOS 13 which is another great version of Android 13

Unfortunately the OP's tablet is stuck with running Lenovo's modified (some would say 'mangled') version of Android 13

In all honesty - I'm surprised Google lets manufacturers put their own 'spin' on it - seems like a gamble, especially with security patches - they should come out ASAP - not when a manufacturer pushes the launch button! 

born_again

You are missing
Android is an open source operating system for mobile devices and a corresponding open source project led by Google.
No one owns the source code. Hence companies are free to modify to their own needs. Which means any patches released have to be checked by manufactures before being released to ensure they do not cause issues.
If you want plain vanilla Android. Then it's google devices, unless other manufactures are happy to use it.