What you should know
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- Google’s Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro made headlines in 2023 for their guaranteed security and Android version updates until at least October 2030, offering an unprecedented seven years of software support.
- Following Google’s announcement, Samsung also committed to seven years of software updates for its Galaxy S24, indicating a potential industry trend towards longer support periods.
- OnePlus chose a different path, with COO and president Kinder Liu explaining their decision to offer four to five years of updates by comparing a phone’s software longevity to a sandwich, suggesting that the hardware (user experience) may not last as long as the software.
- The Pixel 8a’s software support duration remains a topic of speculation, with some expecting it to match the seven years offered to its higher-end counterparts, while others anticipate it will follow the Pixel 7a’s precedent of three years of major updates and five years of security patches.
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Full Story
Oh, the buzz was real back in 2023. The Pixel 8 and its big brother, the Pixel 8 Pro, were all anyone could talk about. Why? Well, they came with a promise. A big one. Google was throwing around the idea of seven years of software support. Yeah, you read that right. Seven whole years. It left folks scratching their heads. Was this for real? And what exactly did that mean? Just Android updates, or security goodies too? And the million-dollar question: would it cost extra?
Then boom, the rumor became reality. And just like that, Samsung hopped on the bandwagon for its Galaxy S24. But not everyone was keen on joining the party. OnePlus, for instance, zagged where others zigged. Kinder Liu, the big shot over at OnePlus, had a different take. He likened phones to sandwiches. A weird analogy, sure, but stick with me. He said, imagine being told your sandwich will still be tasty in seven years. Sounds good, right? But what if the bread gets moldy way before then? Suddenly, that long-lasting filling doesn’t seem so appealing. That’s OnePlus’s view on why they’re sticking to a more modest four to five years of updates.
Now, let’s talk about the Pixel 8a. It’s the new kid on the block, the middle child of the Pixel family. There’s been a ton of leaks. Like, a lot. But one question’s been left dangling. Will it get the same seven-year software love as its fancier siblings, or is it more of a Pixel 7a situation? Remember, the Pixel 7a’s getting three years of major updates and five years of security patches.
Opinions are split. Some folks are convinced the Pixel 8a will bask in the full seven years of support glory. Others? Not so much. They’re pretty sure Google won’t extend that olive branch to the 8a.
Let’s dive into the naysayers first. Over in Reddit-land, in threads like “Pixel 8a getting 7 years?” and “Does anyone know or can guess how many years the Google Pixel 8a will or can last?” the skeptics are loud and clear. They’re telling people not to get their hopes up about extended software support.
But what about the optimists? The believers? They’ve got their fingers crossed, hoping for a surprise.
So, what’s your take?
