Google gives Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 two more years of Android updates

Google has confirmed that some of its older Pixel phones will get two more years of Android updates, beyond what was promised at launch. Thus, the most “venerable” of the list, the Pixel 6 launched in 2021, will receive its last update in 2026.

This extension is welcome for Pixel owners who were only promised three years of Android updates. Enough to prevent certain customers from being pushed to change their mobile which has become obsolete and turn to a brand offering more extensive support.

5 years of Android updates for “old” Pixels

Google made this surprise announcement alongside its December software update (which is now rolling out to Android 15 devices). On a support page, we discover the list of old Pixels which will benefit from a total of five years of software updates from their launch date. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will receive their latest Android updates in 2026, while the Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, and Pixel 6a will receive theirs until 2027. The Pixel 7a and Pixel Fold will receive updates until ‘in 2028.

These update expansions do not include Pixel 5 or older Google phones. The Pixel 6 was the first to use the Google-designed Tensor processor.

Overall, this makes these older Pixels even more viable for people looking to extend the life of their existing Google phones or buy one at a lower price than the latest Pixel 9 series that launched in August.