Google expands OS upgrades to five years for Pixel 6, Pixel 7 and Pixel Fold

06 December 2024
The phones are still on a five-year plan for security updates.

Sort by:

  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • tu2
  • 07 Dec 2024

A good news indeed..

Looking forward to replace my pixel 5

    • r
    • rumun
    • 0p6
    • 06 Dec 2024

    EskeRahn, 06 Dec 2024Well you could see it as bad. But as a technology mature, i... moreI agree with you, just have a perspective from the hardware design side. back in 1989 or so, my electronic teacher in my technical college said to us, that there was no breakthrough in our technology since semiconductors. all microprocessors were just an upgraded version. fast forward to 2024 and we still in the same place, just in nano mm technology. but it is still semiconductor and silicon. :) I hope I will see a breakthrough in my lifetime though.

      • K
      • Kerr
      • pJa
      • 06 Dec 2024

      Divergent, 06 Dec 2024First they need to put high quality batteries in those pixe... more2 years plus with a Pixel 6a and no bulging battery, still giving me a day's battery life.

      This is very welcome from Google. I had a Black Friday discounted Pixel 8 Pro still sitting in its box, as I thought the 6a had it last major update. Will be returning it and await the Pixel 10. The 6a still doing me fine.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • 2qM
        • 06 Dec 2024

        While I expect Google to keep its promise, the pessimist in me thinks this gives Google more breathing space, away from allegations of planned obsolescence. They have been doing it aggressively with the Pixel 3 (and 3a) lineup - ie their Camera app got worse on those phones after every single update. I hold the same opinion of Samsung and their immense update promise for their new A1x series. Having experienced those phones over the years at work, good luck trying to keep those phones usable software-wise for six years.

        You'd think updates would make things better, but in today's consumeristic society it makes things worse, with companies making the excuse of "new software don't work on old hardware". Basically, I think this announcement just is a short term thing, giving Google more 'green' credentials with the public (hence now making them more attractive for customers, hence more sales), whilst still (just slowly) pushing for planned obsolescence. I stand to be proven wrong of course (and the optimist in me hopes so). But I'm not holding my breath.

          • A
          • Anon.
          • CbI
          • 06 Dec 2024

          Anonymous, 06 Dec 2024Pixel 6a owners having their time of their lives after gett... moreI wish I got a pixel 6a when it was offered for around 200usd when brand new.
          Well it is what it is.

          What people forget is the first gen tensor actually matched the infamous 888 and beat it in some areas.
          It's just that the subsequent versions are less exciting and supposed to bring QOL improvements or efficiency improvements which they rarely deliver.

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • J2r
            • 06 Dec 2024

            Hope samsung will do the same with s23

              • G
              • GeeX
              • IWU
              • 06 Dec 2024

              All the manufacturers should give consumers five years of updates.

                Smart move from Google!

                  Darth Caesium, 06 Dec 2024As someone who uses a Pixel 7 Pro, this is absolutely amazi... moreWhy fear losing software updates? I picked up a used Pixel 3XL and so far it runs fine.

                    Darth Caesium, 06 Dec 2024Night Sight looks way more artificial than it used to, kind... morei call it the #dxomarklook

                      jiyen235, 06 Dec 2024worse in what way?Night Sight looks way more artificial than it used to, kind of close to Huawei's approach.

                        Darth Caesium, 06 Dec 2024For the most part, yes. The Night Sight algorithms got wors... moreworse in what way?

                          TrainingAddict, 06 Dec 2024Due to their poor efficiency, these devices will be classif... moreIt's just that you will be left behind in terms of modem.

                            Great update.
                            I will continue with my 6a. I was thinking of replacing it with Pixel 10 coming out next year.

                              DeepIn2U, 06 Dec 2024Contradictory sentiments in your post depending on how u lo... moreWell you could see it as bad. But as a technology mature, it is not unexpected that the development flattens out.
                              If you compare a 2010 and a 2020 ICE car from same brand you will not find huge differences, just evolution (and added accessories). Same with mobiles, there has not really been any major development the last ten years in the hardware, Faster and more efficient cpu, slightly higher energy density of the batteries, and more pixels each model, that is about it. (The addition of foldable displays is new, but they are still in their infancy)

                              So no surprise that a new version of the OS can fairly easily be brought to work on an old model. The limitation here is the wish to sell new phones, not that it would be impossible to adapt for the old ones...

                                Hugo, 06 Dec 2024This is project treble finally in action, after maybe 7 or ... moreIndeed, and replacement like that works in sufficiently large cities, but not in rural areas.

                                And anyway, it is never going to beat the way it was twenty year ago, where every Tom, Dick and Harry could swap a battery back by pushing a button, and many even used spares, for charging one battery while using another. MUCH more user friendly (and 'green'), and that is why some of the ancient phones still works in areas where GSM 2 are still active.

                                  EskeRahn, 06 Dec 2024Good news, but I guess also a sign that development are lev... moreContradictory sentiments in your post depending on how u look at it.

                                  This is VERY BAD news, as youve highlighted, means only minor changes to Android OS is in the pipeline. Yet for older models doesn't this simply mean another 2 updates for them are going to be available??!

                                    potato4k, 06 Dec 2024Good. It was weird that Samsung could offer longer software... moreWeird!!???

                                    Theie the biggest 2 partners in the game clearly Samsung has the tech having no issues and the support to make it!


                                      Lol sales of the Pixel 9 series must be lackLustre to suddenly offer this!!

                                        • R
                                        • Rkm
                                        • FY0
                                        • 06 Dec 2024

                                        This is nice. Now, I will replace the battery and push for a couple more years. I really don't want to lose the 27-28mm equivalent focal length of the 6a.

                                          2 of 4