Google announced its latest Pixel 8 smartphone series at today's launch event, and along with its new camera, AI, and data center-driven features revealed today, the company highlighted an updated firmware policy that will either cause big trouble for Samsung or push the Korean tech giant to massively improve its software support policy.
During MadeByGoogle, the Android maker confirmed it will support its Pixel 8 series with the latest Android OS, security updates, and Feature Drops for seven years. Yup, seven OS upgrades! That's not a typo.
This new policy might end Samsung's winning streak in the firmware update department, or it might work to the benefit of everyone, including Galaxy phone users if Samsung is willing or even able to compete.
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Google's move might force Samsung to up its game
In early 2022, Samsung overshadowed its Android competitors, including Google, with an updated firmware policy that guaranteed most of its newer Galaxy phones and tablets would receive four OS upgrades and five years of security patches. In contrast, Google offered three Android OS upgrades and five years of patches.
Combined with Samsuns' relatively fast firmware releases, this new strategy propelled the Korean tech giant even higher atop the Android food chain.
But after Google's 2023 launch event, where the Pixel 8 series was unveiled, Samsung risks losing that edge to the Pixel brand.
It may be wishful thinking, but Samsung could try to match Google's policy early next year with the release of the Galaxy S24 series. However, providing seven Android OS upgrades is a huge undertaking, especially for a brand like Samsung, which has numerous Galaxy smartphones under its belt. Way more than Google has.
Let's hope that Samsung can and will follow in Google's footsteps and won't the Pixel manufacturer to overshadow it. It would be a huge win for Galaxy device users if Samsung can keep up, but only time will tell if Google's bonkers firmware policy can be matched by the Korean tech giant or any other OEM.
