Google extends life of older Pixel phones with 2 more years of OS updates: Check if your device is on the list
Google has increased software support for Pixel devices to 5 years of OS updates and security patches, extending the original commitment. However, the Pixel tablet remains under the initial 3-year update policy, with updates for other devices expected until Android 18.
While Android manufacturers are notorious for skimping on promised OS updates, Google has gone in a completely different direction by providing longer software support for its Pixel devices than originally promised.
Google had promised 3 years of OS updates and 5 years of security patches with the Pixel 6, Pixel 7 and Pixel Fold. However, the company has now announced that it will provide an additional two years of OS updates for these devices, meaning that the Pixel 6, Pixel 7 and Pixel Fold will be eligible for 5 years of OS updates and security patches from the date they went on sale.
With the updated software support policy, the Pixel 6 will receive updates until Android 17, while the Pixel 7 and Pixel Fold will receive updates until Android 18, which is expected to be released sometime in 2027.
However, Google hasn't made a separate announcement for the Pixel tablet, meaning it will continue to follow the 3-year OS update policy announced at launch.
List of Pixel devices to get additional updates:
Pixel Fold
Pixel 7a
Pixel 7 Pro
Pixel 7
Pixel 6a
Pixel 6 Pro
Pixel 6
For the uninitiated, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 series come with 7 years of promised OS updates and security patches, and the upcoming Pixel 9a is expected to get the same software support.
Google has also confirmed that Android 16 will indeed be rolled out earlier than the usual release cycle adopted by the company. Android 16 update will be rolled out via a major release in second quarter of 2025 while another minor release will follow in Q4 2025.
Google usually releases its new Android software updates in Q3 or Q4 of each year. Just to put things in perspective, the last time Google did not release a new Android update in the last three months of the year was with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, back in 2012.
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Business NewsTechnologyGadgetsGoogle extends life of older Pixel phones with 2 more years of OS updates: Check if your device is on the list
First Published:6 Dec 2024, 01:59 PM IST
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