Saturday, December 21, 2024

Google extends Pixel 6, 7 Android updates, matching Samsung

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Google silently extended Android updates support for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series. Affordable “a” models are also eligible for extended software policy alongside the first-generation Pixel Fold foldable smartphone.

Initially, Google promised three years of Android upgrades for the Pixel 6 and 7 series. Now, the revised policy promises at least five years of Android OS upgrades for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series as well as Pixel 6a, 7a, and Fold.

This year, Samsung announced the Galaxy S24 series with up to 7 years of software updates. The company replicated Google’s October 2023 decision to provide seven years of software support to the Pixel 8 and newer lineups.

With the revised policy, Google’s Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series are now superior to the Galaxy S21 and S22 series. Both Samsung Galaxy lineups are eligible for four years of OS updates and five years of security patches.

Following the Android 15 rollout, the Galaxy S21 series will be rendered ineligible for new OS upgrades. However, the Galaxy S22 series will also receive the Android 16-based One UI 8 upgrade in 2026.

Meanwhile, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 will receive up to Android 17 and Android 18, respectively. It’s an entire two years of additional software support for Google flagships. It isn’t the peak support, but good for Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 smartphone users.

Longer Android updates are useless if…

Honestly speaking, such longer Android updates support is useless if brands can’t provide durable hardware. Our Pixel 7 Pro review unit developed a pink vertical line, which turned into a huge dead pixel spot, rendering the screen useless.

A similar issue occurred on the Galaxy Z Fold 4 too. The phone’s motherboard defected itself even without any kind of external reason. Therefore, smartphone makers should work on durability rather than promising years-long software updates.

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