Google Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro will finally rival iPhones in OS update support

By Prakhar Khanna October 14, 2021

Google is reentering the flagship segment this year with the launch of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro on October 19. The devices will be powered by Google’s Tensor chipset, which is tipped to offer camera enhancements that can compete with the best smartphones on the market. The Pixel 6 lineup will also compete with the iPhones in terms of the number of operating system updates.

According to a new leak, the Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will receive four major OS updates and five years of security patches. It comes from a tipster who goes by the pseudonym Snoopy on Twitter. They posted on Twitter, “Pixel 6 gets 4 OS Upgrades and 5 Years of Security Patches.” It reiterates the longer software support mentioned in the leaked marketing material by reliable leaker Evan Blass.

Pixel 6 gets 4 OS Upgrades and 5 Years of Security Patches

— Snoopy (@_snoopytech_) October 13, 2021

Google currently promises three years of updates for its Pixel devices, and it doesn’t guarantee continued support after the last major OS update. To recall, Samsung promised four years of major OS updates for select Galaxy smartphones, which is currently the most by any company in the Android space. In many ways, Google has fallen behind in the software support game, so it’s nice to see them coming back with a new benchmark for Android manufacturers to measure themselves against.

The Google Pixel 6 and Google Pixel 6 Pro will be revealed at an official Pixel Fall Launch event. It will be livestreamed starting 10 a.m. PT on Tuesday, October 19. Devices could go on sale starting October 28 and will likely be sold in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, and Taiwan. It won’t be long before we get confirmation of all these various leaks.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Mobile Writer

Prakhar writes news, reviews and features for Digital Trends. He is an independent tech journalist who has been a part of the…

Mobile

Google is going to change Pixel phones forever, and I can’t wait

Google Pixel 8 in white and pink.

Google's Pixel lineup has never been better. Right now, you can find the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro available, as well as its first folding phone, the Google Pixel Fold. And for those who want a budget-friendly option, Google also has the Google Pixel 7a. The phones aren't perfect, but they are among the best Google has ever produced under the Pixel name.

While rumors from last year made us think that the Pixel 7a could be the last of the A-series, that may not actually be the case. We are likely getting a Google Pixel 8a in just a few months, which we expect to be revealed during Google’s I/O conference in May. However, there are whispers that Google may shift away from an annual upgrade cycle for the A-series and instead move to a bi-annual cycle, similar to Apple’s iPhone SE.

Mobile

Have one of these Google Pixel phones? You’re getting Circle to Search

Someone holding the Google Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6a next to each other.

Circle to Search — Google's excellent search tool that debuted on the Samsung Galaxy S24 earlier this year — is about to become available to more people. Specifically, it's coming to a bunch more Pixel devices, giving even more people a chance to use it for themselves.

As the name implies, Circle to Search allows you to circle or scribble anything on your screen to perform a Google Search for it. It's great for those times you see something on your phone and want to know more about it, but aren't sure how to type out a Google Search for it. It launched on the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra in January and then quickly made its way to the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.

Mobile

5 phones you should buy instead of the iPhone 15 Pro Max

iPhone 15 Pro Max lying on the ground surrounded by leaves.

Apple’s iPhone 15 Pro Max is one of the top choices for a premium smartphone. It offers the latest and greatest from Apple, including the new A17 Pro chip, a fantastic camera system, a lightweight titanium body, the Action button, and USB-C charging. It's a great package.

But there’s no doubt about it — the iPhone 15 Pro Max is also quite expensive, with a starting price of $1,200. It’s also not the only option out there if you want the best smartphone on the market, especially if you aren’t particularly invested in the Apple ecosystem.