The Pixel 3a is Not Long For This World

Every time a Pixel smartphone approaches its expiration date after combating the nice struggle in opposition to Apple’s market dominance, I’m tempted to offer it a correct Viking funeral. The subsequent fashions deserving of this commemorative remedy are the Pixel 3a and 3a XL. Both telephones have been the primary in Google’s financial system smartphone lineup, and each shall be missed after they obtain their final software program replace someday in July.

Android Police found this when reaching out to Google about one other Pixel 3a replace, which rolled out earlier this week. The replace contains crucial safety patches and a repair for crashing launchers and random show wake-ups. However, the official support page for these telephones hasn’t been up to date to mirror this data, and it nonetheless lists this month’s newest replace because the final assured one.

Back in 2019, Google promised to assist the Pixel 3a collection with as much as three years of software program and safety updates. It’s since expanded on these choices for its newer Pixel units. Models just like the Pixel 6 assure safety updates for 4 years from the launch date. (Google had initially promised 5 when debuting the Pixel 6, however alas.)

If you recall, the Pixel 3a was Google’s inaugural funds system. It got here in cool, vibrant colours, like a lightweight lavender with a distinguished neon orange energy button. The 3a additionally launched the concept that you could possibly get an Android system with a succesful digicam and constant software program updates beginning at $400.

The Pixel A-series has since spawned a whole class of units, with names like Samsung and Motorola coming into the ring with similarly-priced choices. Those two corporations have additionally dedicated to a software program replace timeline, with Motorola providing as much as 4 years of safety updates and Samsung providing a full 5.

Last yr, Google informed The Verge that “the frequency and categories of updates will depend on the capabilities and needs” of the Pixel {hardware}. Indeed, it seems like the skills of the Pixel 3a are not for this world. It is a bummer for Pixel 3a homeowners who have been holding out hope they’d get the replace to Android 13. But that isn’t anticipated till the autumn, nicely after that July finish date.