Owners of Pixel 6-series, 7-series and Pixel Fold telephones can look ahead to some additional years of OS upgrades than initially anticipated, as found by Android professional Mishaal Rahman and confirmed by Google on X. When they had been launched, Google initially promised three years of OS upgrades and 5 years of safety patches for every system, ranging from the time they went on sale. But a quiet replace to a assist web page confirms that these telephones will get two extra OS upgrades, giving them a full 5 years of OS and safety assist that “might also embrace new and upgraded options with Pixel Drops.” That, my mates, guidelines.
Google’s three-and-five coverage wasn’t unhealthy, nevertheless it wasn’t the most effective both — after the Pixel 6 arrived in 2021, Samsung did one higher by providing 4 years of OS updates for the Galaxy S22. Google obtained its act along with the Pixel 8, saying a class-leading seven years of OS and safety replace assist. Which is nice! But you wouldn’t blame a Pixel 6 or 7 proprietor for feeling like they had been unfairly left behind. Google appears to be making up among the shortfall by providing these extra OS upgrades, and it’s a welcome change.
Of course, an ‘OS replace’ isn’t fairly what it was once — for higher and worse. Google is emphasizing pushing out extra updates throughout older variations of Android via its Play framework. That’s an incredible factor, nevertheless it does imply that the yearly OS improve isn’t fairly as essential because it as soon as was. The firm may also gate sure options to pricier or newer fashions, because it has with Night Sight Video and Zoom Enhance. Google’s point out of recent options by way of Pixel Drops for the following couple of years is promising, although.
Going by Google’s authentic schedule, the Pixel 6 ought to have gotten its final OS platform improve with this yr’s Android 15. Inquiring minds questioned if one thing was up when the Pixel 6 sequence was deemed eligible for the Android 16 beta, and now we all know: Pixel 6 telephones are on monitor to get Android 16 and 17 after they grow to be accessible. Not too shabby.
