Google Pixel 8 Series to Get 7 Years of Updates: A Game-Changer or a Gimmick?

Google has announced that its latest flagship smartphones, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, will receive unprecedented software support. According to the company, these devices will get seven years of Android OS upgrades, security updates, and feature drops.

It means that if you buy a Pixel 8 or Pixel 8 Pro today, you can expect to receive updates until 2030.

With their past Pixel phones, Google only offered up to three years of OS upgrades and security patches, which is certainly a significant improvement from their previous policy.

Ahead of Other Android Manufacturers

Other Android manufacturers like Samsung, OnePlus, and Xiaomi usually offer four years of OS upgrades. They also offer up to five years of security upgrades to keep your phone and data safe. This upgrade schedule does put Google way ahead in the smartphone industry.

Google claims that this decision is motivated by its sustainability goals and desire to provide Pixel users with a consistent, high-quality experience. The company has secured long-term commitments from partner teams and implemented the necessary testing infrastructure to deliver the updates.

Game-Changing Move

But is this promise too good to be true? Can Google really maintain its software support for seven years without compromising performance, stability, or compatibility? Will the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro be able to handle the future versions of Android without becoming obsolete or sluggish?

These are some of the questions that many Android fans and experts are asking. While we appreciate Google’s ambition and initiative, we remain sceptical. After all, software support is a matter of technical feasibility, business strategy, and customer satisfaction.

A Does of Healthy Skepticism

We hope Google will live up to its word and deliver its promise. We also hope this move will inspire other Android manufacturers to extend their phone software support. This would benefit the consumers and the environment, reducing electronic waste and encouraging longer phone usage.

The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are available for pre-order now and will start shipping on October 28. They come with Android 14 out of the box and feature upgraded cameras, AI smarts, and wireless charging. They also have a new design with a hole-punch display and a metal frame.

What do you think of Google’s software support policy for the Pixel 8 series? Do you think it’s a game-changer or a gimmick? Let us know in the comments below.