Google has a nice surprise for users of its Pixel 6 and 7 families as well as the Fold: a bonus of two years of Android updates.
When they were launched, they were guaranteed to receive new versions of Android for 3 years while security patches would be distributed for the next 5 years. Now the 5 years apply in both cases: “from the date the device was initially made available on the Google Store in the United States”. These models were released between 2021 and 2023.
The Pixel 6 range benefits from this now. It was planned to stop at Android 15 and move on to Android 16 scheduled for next spring. This model was however part of the list of Pixels compatible with the first developer preview of Android 16 which appeared at the end of November. This explains it. To these revisions must be added the “Pixel Drop” which occasionally brings lots of new features (some of which will not necessarily be compatible with an old model).
Android 16 launches a new cycle with its 1st Developer Preview
The more recent ranges – Pixel 8, 9 and Pro Fold – are entitled to 7 years of OS updates and security patches. An assurance that inspired Samsung at the start of the year with an identical promise made during the presentation of the Galaxy S24.
Apple never publishes commitments of this kind while ensuring that its recent OS remains essentially compatible with older generations. This year, iOS 18 could even be installed on iPhone XS and Xr launched in 2018 with iOS 12. They are therefore in their 6th major system update.
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