Google promises two extra years of Android updates for Pixel 6, 7, and Fold

What conscionable happened? When smartphones first deed nan scene, everybody wanted nan latest and top each year. So naturally, companies initiated constricted support (planned obsolescence) for these hot-selling devices. Now that yearly upgrades are incremental and group support their phones longer, will policies change?

In a precocious updated support document, Google noted that nan Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 person 5 years of Android support starting erstwhile they first became disposable successful nan US. The caller argumentation applies to nan original Pixel Fold arsenic well. Curiously, nan Pixel Tablet will still get only 3 years of OS updates contempt being a comparatively newer instrumentality launched conscionable past year. However, nan Tablet will person 5 years of information patches.

The enhanced support argumentation benefits respective phones, including:

• Pixel 6
• Pixel 6 Pro
• Pixel 6a
• Pixel 7
• Pixel 7 Pro
• Pixel 7a
• Pixel Fold

Pixel 6 phones launched successful 2022 pinch Android 12 and guaranteed afloat OS support up to Android 15. The caller argumentation intends it will person updates until 2027, taking nan exemplary up to Android 17. Likewise, nan Pixel 7 family, launched successful October 2022 pinch Android 13, gets updates until 2028 (Android 18).

Google's caller package support argumentation for nan older Pixel devices is simply a measurement successful nan correct direction. However, it is still not arsenic extended arsenic nan company's pembaruan argumentation for nan Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 lineups. Google promises 7 years of Android updates for those devices, which is among nan champion successful nan industry.

Samsung is nan only different institution offering 7 years of package updates for its smartphones, though it only applies to nan flagship Galaxy S devices and foldables. Unlike Samsung, Google's seven-year pembaruan committedness includes its mid-range smartphones, specified arsenic nan Pixel 8a.

The deficiency of updates was erstwhile a superior interest for Android users, but things person changed successful caller years, particularly astatine nan premium extremity of nan market. However, awesome brands for illustration OnePlus, Nothing, and Xiaomi are still laggards regarding their pembaruan policies, and it is questionable whether they will ever amended their package support.