Google Pixel 8 set to outpace Samsung in OS updates

Google is gearing up to launch its much-anticipated Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, and they’re not just regular smartphones. These devices are set to shake things up by offering more frequent and extended OS updates, giving you a longer-lasting and better experience.

Before we jump into the Pixel 8 saga, let’s take a quick trip down memory lane to the Pixel 6. It brought us three major Android OS updates and two years of security patches. Not bad, right? But let’s face it, that’s not quite the level of support we’ve seen from the iPhone. More on that in a bit.

Apple has always been a front-runner when it comes to keeping its devices in the game for the long haul. Think about the iPhone XS, which debuted back in 2018 with iOS 12. Guess what? It’s all set to receive the upcoming iOS 17 update this fall. And let’s not forget the iPhone 6S and 7, which were born in 2015 and are still getting security updates under iOS 15. That’s almost 8 years of support! Apple’s commitment to longevity is truly impressive.

Now, let’s shift our focus back to the Pixel 8. Google is aiming to redefine the game by giving these devices more frequent OS updates. This move is a game-changer and puts the Pixel series on par with other big players, challenging the norm and raising the bar for what we can expect from our smartphones.

When we look at the Android landscape, we see a tug-of-war between different policies. Google’s current three-year window for OS updates on its Pixel devices falls short of Samsung‘s promise of four years. Samsung kicked off this extended support last year with devices like the Galaxy S21 and S22, even extending it to more affordable releases.

Here’s the exciting part: insiders are hinting that the Pixel 8 is gunning to outshine even Samsung in terms of OS update commitment. That’s right, Google wants to match the iPhone’s reputation for long-term support. Of course, the devil’s in the details, especially when it comes to the later years of a device’s life. Samsung, for instance, has shifted to a quarterly update approach as devices age. But even if the Pixel 8 manages to extend its OS update promise to five years, that’s a victory in itself.