Google has just released the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, bringing several improvements in terms of both hardware and software. What’s more, Google announced that the Pixel 8 series will be its first phones to receive software updates for up to seven years.
With this new policy, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will receive Android updates, security updates, and Feature Drops for seven years into the future. In other words, the Pixel 8 series is likely to receive Android 21 updates as late as 2030.
This seven-year software support is a significant upgrade for Google Pixel phones. Previously, Google only offered three years of Android updates and five years of security updates.
Software Support Google
The software support that Google is offering to the Pixel 8 series is also much longer compared to other Android phone manufacturers. Google’s competitors like Samsung, Oppo, OnePlus, and Xiaomi currently provide Android updates for four generations and security updates for five years for their flagship devices.
Google can extend its operating system support thanks to its in-house Tensor processor used in the Pixel 8 series. Other phone manufacturers that rely on third-party processors like Qualcomm or MediaTek can’t provide such long-term updates because they are limited by the support given by the chip manufacturers.
Google has even Managed to Outdo Apple
Google has even managed to outdo Apple in this regard. Apple is known for providing fairly long support for iPhones. While Apple doesn’t have an official update policy, they usually offer several OS updates for iPhones. For example, the iPhone 8 series and iPhone X, launched in 2017 with iOS 11, received iOS 16 as their last OS update. The iPhone 7 series, which came with iOS 10, received its last update with iOS 15.
However, despite the impressive seven-year support, Google’s policy won’t apply to older generation phones. This means that phones like the Pixel 7 series, Pixel 7a, and Pixel Fold will still follow the old policy, which includes three years of Android updates and five years of security updates.
Closing Thoughts
Google’s commitment to providing seven years of software updates for the Pixel 8 series is a game-changer in the Android ecosystem. It not only sets a new standard for software support but also highlights Google’s dedication to keeping its users’ devices up to date and secure for an extended period.
This move might also encourage other Android manufacturers to rethink their update policies and offer more extended support, ultimately benefiting consumers. While Google has raised the bar for software updates, it will be interesting to see how this decision impacts the Android smartphone market in the long run.
