With all of the {hardware} modifications and digicam upgrades that include each cellphone launch, it is easy to look previous the extra refined however essential facet of software program replace insurance policies. To place it merely, that is the corporate’s dedication to maintaining its telephones updated, together with annual working system upgrades (consistent with Android or iOS), safety patches, and different characteristic drops.
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As a result of the cellphone’s {hardware} can solely maintain up for therefore lengthy, software program updates are vital to maintaining the system working easily and safely for an prolonged time period. That is why the most recent information from Google, which comes by way of a change to the Pixel support page, is such a giant deal.
As found by Mishaal Rahman, Google has formally prolonged its software program replace coverage for older Pixel telephones, together with the Pixel 6 collection, Pixel 7 collection, and Pixel Fold, for a further two years.
Notably, these are two extra years of each OS and safety updates, which means fashions just like the Pixel 6 (which launched in 2021) will now be eligible to be upgraded to Android 17, whereas the Pixel 7 and Pixel Fold will be upgraded to Android 18. After all, the yearly Android working system refresh is just not as excessive because it as soon as was, with Google specializing in safety and privateness greater than design overhauls at this time limit.
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Nonetheless, the flexibility to maintain your older Google Pixel cellphone updated with the most recent safety patches and feature drops is a giant win, particularly when you’re nonetheless happy along with your cellphone and wish to use it for an additional 12 months or two.
To summarize, the brand new software program replace coverage provides the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Professional, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Professional, Pixel 7a, and Pixel Fold a complete of 5 years of Android OS and safety patches. That is nonetheless two years lower than Google’s seven-year promise for its more moderen Pixel 8 and Pixel 9 collection of telephones, however a profit nonetheless that requires no further effort from you, the buyer.
