Google is reportedly making significant improvements to its software update policy for the upcoming Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones. While these changes are not yet officially confirmed, they come from reputed sources, including the site 91mobiles in partnership with reliable leaker Kamila Wojciechowska.
According to the information provided, both the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will benefit from extended software support, specifically seven years of updates. However, it’s important to clarify that these updates primarily refer to security patches rather than major Android version updates.
This proposed update policy is a positive development, especially in the context of Android device support. Google’s track record in providing timely and long-term software support for its Pixel devices has room for improvement, considering that Google itself oversees the Android operating system’s development.
This change aligns with recent rumors suggesting that Google intends to enhance its software update strategy to compete with companies like Samsung, which offers four years of major Android updates and five years of security updates for its devices. In contrast, Google’s current policy provides three years of major updates and five years of security updates.
While the exact details about how many major Android version updates the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will receive remain unclear, there is hope that Google will extend its major update support to four or five years. Such a move would set a positive example for other smartphone manufacturers and contribute to improving the overall state of Android device update support.
The official unveiling of the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro is scheduled for October 4th. However, there have been reports that the stable version of Android 14 may be facing delays. Nevertheless, the extended security patch support would still be a significant step forward in providing long-term value and security to Pixel users.
