Last year, Google announced that new Pixel devices would receive up to seven years of updates, including major Android versions, security patches, and quarterly feature drops. This commitment surpasses that of any other smartphone manufacturer, which is ambitious for Google, a company known for discontinuing projects. So, will the Pixel 9 series receive the same level of support, or could its update lifecycle be shortened? Let’s explore this further.
New Phone, Same Old Flavor
Google typically releases the latest version of Android around September, followed by their new Pixel phones in October. However, this year, Google couldn’t wait until Halloween and launched the Pixel 9 series in August, shipping them with the year-old Android 14. This early release has sparked debate about whether the new Pixel models will receive an extra year of updates compared to the Pixel 8.
The reason behind this earlier-than-usual launch remains unclear. One possibility is that Android may no longer be Google’s primary focus. Instead, the company might be shifting attention toward AI advancements. Android 15 Beta has been somewhat underwhelming, lacking the excitement usually associated with new Android releases. Additionally, AI took center stage during the Pixel 9 launch event and at Google I/O in May.
Update Timeline For Pixel 9 Devices
According to Google’s official support page, all the new Pixel devices including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL, and Pixel 9 Pro Fold will receive support for seven years from their launch date. This means these devices will continue to receive regular updates until August 2031. Based on this information, here is a timeline for when the Pixel 9 will receive new Android updates.
The timeline is somewhat speculative, as Google states that these phones will receive updates until August 2031. If the release of Android 22 is delayed by even a month, the Pixel 9 could miss out on the final major update.
Will Pixel 9 Get Android 22?
As shown in the chart, the Pixel 9 will continue to receive updates until August 2031, ensuring that the devices will at least get Android 21. However, anything beyond that remains uncertain. As mentioned earlier, Google typically releases new Android versions in September. If this pattern holds, the Pixel 9 series might miss out on Android 22.
Google’s unusual decision to launch the Pixel 9 with Android 14 and its earlier-than-usual release date has led to some confusion in the community. Now, we’ll have to wait until 2031 to see if the Pixel 9 receives its promised updates or even comprehensive, fully-fledged updates. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
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