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What just happened? When smartphones first hit the scene, everybody wanted the latest and greatest every year. So naturally, companies initiated limited support (planned obsolescence) for these hot-selling devices. Now that annual upgrades are incremental and people keep their phones longer, will policies change?
In a recently updated support document, Google noted that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 have five years of Android support starting when they first became available in the US. The new policy applies to the original Pixel Fold as well. Curiously, the Pixel Tablet will still get only three years of OS updates despite being a relatively newer device launched just last year. However, the Tablet will receive five years of security patches.
The enhanced support policy benefits several phones, including:
Pixel 6 Pixel 6 Pro Pixel 6a Pixel 7 Pixel 7 Pro Pixel 7a Pixel Fold
Pixel 6 phones launched in 2022 with Android 12 and guaranteed full OS support up to Android 15. The new policy means it will receive updates until 2027, taking the model up to Android 17. Likewise, the Pixel 7 family, launched in October 2022 with Android 13, gets updates until 2028 (Android 18).
Google’s new software support policy for the older Pixel devices is a step in the right direction. However, it is still not as extensive as the company’s update policy for the Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 lineups. Google promises seven years of Android updates for those devices, which is among the best in the industry.
Samsung is the only other company offering seven years of software updates for its smartphones, although it only applies to the flagship Galaxy S devices and foldables. Unlike Samsung, Google’s seven-year update promise includes its mid-range smartphones, such as the Pixel 8a.
The lack of updates was once a serious concern for Android users, but things have changed in recent years, especially at the premium end of the market. However, major brands like OnePlus, Nothing, and Xiaomi are still laggards regarding their update policies, and it is questionable whether they will ever improve their software support.
