Diehard Pixel fans were pretty happy when a recent rumor claimed that Google's upcoming Pixel phones could get software updates for seven years. It sounds impressive, even if it's not clear if the seven years mean the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will get seven major Android version updates or if Google is only increasing the support duration for security updates.
Our best guess is that it will be a combination of the two. Pixel phones currently get three major Android version updates, and Google may be extending that number to four or five in addition to increasing the number of years that its devices get security updates.
Story continues after the video
Either way, Google could soon end up marching ahead of Samsung in the update game. It won't be able to beat Apple, as Apple has been known to provide security updates to iPhones up to 10 years after launch, though Google will close the gap considerably.
Naturally, Galaxy users have been wondering if Samsung will copy Google's new policy of seven years of updates for its own phones. Well, we would certainly be pleased if that happens, but I don't think Samsung needs to do anything right away.
A big deal for Pixel fans, but Google is partly playing catchup
That's because, frankly, Google isn't doing something extraordinary here. Yes, it's great that future Pixel devices will be supported longer, but it isn't as significant a leap as it may seem once you realize that part of it is simply Google playing catchup.
Pixel smartphones, including the $1799 Pixel Fold, are only eligible for three big Android updates, and that is too low for smartphones made by the same company that develops the software from the ground up. Google should already have been providing at least four years of OS upgrades, but instead, it's Samsung that had to show Google and other manufacturers the way, on more than one occasion.
And there's nothing stopping Samsung from taking charge again and promising five or six big OS upgrades and more than five years of security updates. But, again, it doesn't need to. Four years of guaranteed Android and One UI version upgrades for phones priced anywhere between $300 and $1800 is already quite amazing, and Samsung can afford to take a breather and perhaps focus on other things, like making its phones wacky and exciting again.
