Should I Update to Kodi v19 ‘Matrix?’ – We’ll Help You Decide by Weighing the Pros & Cons!

In most cases, we would always recommend updating to the latest Kodi version available. However, as you're about to see, that rule doesn't always apply. You've probably heard that Kodi 19 'Matrix' has been released – and we have some important information before you decide to use it. So, let’s talk about whether you should update to Kodi v19 'Matrix.' 

What’s New in Kodi 19? What Are the Pros If You Decide to Update Now?

As you already know, Kodi 19 is a major new version (in contrast to being an incremental update) of this home theater software. Therefore, it doesn’t come as a surprise to know that Kodi 19 brings plenty of changes and improvements, as highlighted below. 

• Improved & Modernized Playback: Kodi's primary purpose is to handle your media library, and the application is doing a great job. Kodi v19 'Matrix' comes with library improvements, new tags, new displays, and more. It also comes with AV1 software decoding, HLG HDR and static HDR10 playback (on Windows 10 only), static HDR10 and dynamic Dolby Vision HDR (on Android) – all of which are welcome implementations.
• Optimizations to Kodi's Interface: It's true that Kodi 19 doesn't come with a radically overhauled interface. However, plenty of small changes are visible via screen redesigns, especially for music playback. The application has been simplified and more polished and looks better than ever before (on both small and large screens). 
• Improvements to (Often Neglected) Subtitles: If you like to use subtitles while watching movies and TV shows via Kodi, this latest release brings a number of fixes. You can also select a dark grey color, which is particularly useful in HDR playback. 
• Changes to Kodi's Security: And lastly, Kodi comes with a whole new set of security tools that work in the background. You will get a better overview of where your addons come from, whether you should enable them, and the consequences of using untested addons on your Kodi. 

After all of that said, it’s clear that Kodi 19 comes with much-needed improvements across the board. However, we also have some bad news – so keep on reading. 

What Are the Cons to Updating to Kodi 19? 

At the moment, the biggest con to updating to Kodi 19 is the situation surrounding its addons. This version of Kodi relies on Python 3, which makes a large number of addons incompatible and non-functional. As you can imagine, this can be a deal-breaker for many users. 

Must Read: Seeing the “This Addon Is Not Compatible with This Version of Kodi” Error Message? Why?

Right now, you can count on around one-third of Kodi’s official repository. It used to offer more than 350 addons, which were accessible (and still are) through Kodi 18 'Leia.' However, if you decide to update to Kodi 19 now, you will find around only 100 compatible addons. 

This situation is the same with "unofficial" Kodi addons that you download from the Web. The majority of those don’t work and aren’t compatible with Kodi 19.

In the End – Should You Update to Kodi v19 'Matrix' or Perhaps Wait a Bit More?

And now, let's answer the big question – should you upgrade to Kodi 19 now, or perhaps it's better to wait? We don't have to think too hard regarding answering that question, as the above-explained situation already points out. 

If you use Kodi with your media library only, there's no reason not to update to Kodi 19. Your movies, music, TV shows, and photos will transition seamlessly, allowing you to interact with your favorite content in new ways. 

However, if you primarily use Kodi to run addons, it’s best to wait for now. The chances are that many of your favorite addons won’t work. Therefore, your meticulously collected library of addons will be broken – and we’re sure you don’t want to see that happen. 

So, do you plan on updating to Kodi 19 – or perhaps you’ve already updated? Let us know what you think via the comments section below. And lastly, thank you for reading!