RIP Pixel 3

Yesterday Google pushed out a November safety patch for its Pixel telephones, however notably the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL didn’t get the replace.

Pixel customers feared the worst: No replace means the tip of help for the 2018 flagship. It’s true. Google first confirmed to 9to5Google and then individually to Gizmodo that it plans to push out yet another replace to the Pixel 3 lineup earlier than ending help for good.

The ultimate replace for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL ought to arrive someday in Q1 2022. This tracks for Google’s typical “kill cycle,” which is a phrase that I simply made as much as describe when the corporate sunsets a product.

The unique Pixel suffered the same ending of kinds when the Pixel 5 took middle stage—it took a while for its final over-the-air replace to roll out. But on the very least, the Pixel 3 will get Google’s huge Android 12 replace, and it even sports activities the brand new Material You person interface.

The writing has been on the wall for the Pixel 3 for a while. It launched three years in the past, and on Google’s support page it states clearly that the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL had been assured Android model updates and safety updates solely till October 2021. I suppose Pixel 3 house owners are getting slightly bit extra time than promised.

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will likely be supported by Google for much longer than their predecessors, which is one purpose to improve. The Pixel 6 is assured Android model updates till October 2024. Security updates are assured for 2 years previous that, by means of October 2026.

Google will finish help for the Pixel 5 in 2023, whereas the Pixel 4 will get its final replace subsequent yr. The Pixel 4a, 4a 5G, and 5a will likely be supported nicely into the final half of 2023, and the Pixel 3a and 3a XL will see updates by means of May 2022.

If you personal a Pixel 3 or 3 XL, your cellphone gained’t cease all of the sudden cease working, however the lack of updates leaves you susceptible to bugs or safety flaws that gained’t be getting fastened. At that time, upgrading to a brand new cellphone is perhaps value it.