Google has officially launched the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, revealing that its new smartphones will feature seven years of software updates—an obvious improvement over the typical three years of OS updates and five years of security updates that previous Pixel phones featured. According to Google’s blog post on the subject, no major smartphone brand offers this level of support, including the iPhone, which offers around five years of support based on Apple’s history and hardware requirements for newer versions of iOS. The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, which feature a Tensor G3 chip, OLED display, upgraded camera system, a brand-new temperature sensor (Pixel 8 Pro), and more are available for pre-order now from $699 and $999, respectively.
Today we announced our commitment to providing seven years of software support for Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, including Android OS upgrades, security updates and regular Feature Drops.
That means your Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro will be supported all the way into 2030. No major smartphone brand offers this committed level of support and longevity. This makes these phones a more sustainable smartphone choice, because they’ll be secure and perform well for seven years.
Discussion (2 replies)
Join Discussion →I think the 8a will be the one to wait for and get. Considering the 7a is the 7 with a plastic case. Which you cover up with your own case anyways.
I got my last phone (Pixel 6a) on the "subscription" plan, which is really just a installment payment plan, as the phone is yours at the end.
I have the 6a paid off, and it is supported with security patches until next summer.
After that I don't know what to do.
None of these new phones appeal to me. They appear to just be following trends with blatant disregard for what actually makes a phone usable.
The finger print reader on the back was perfect. My finger could find it based on touch without looking, and the phone is unlocked during the short trip from my pocked to a visible position. The in-screen fingerprint reader in my better halfs 7a (she got a free "upgrade" due to her 5a breaking) is quite frankly garbage, but even if it unlocked the screen perfectly every time, you still can't do it without looking, with makes it a downgrade from what came before it. Overall time from thinking "I want to check something on my phone" to actually doing it, is slowed down by a needless step of looking at your phone to press the on screen unlock.
I also don't want any of the AI or assistant nonsense. I don't trust AI to even do simple stuff like arrange my calendar, and I don't ever want to be able to talk to my phone. That literally adds no benefit what so ever.
I also still like having an analog audio output.
I still want expandable storage, and a user replaceable battery.
Every single phone that is sold today is IMHO utter garbage.
I don't want any iPhone. I don't want anything from Samsung. I don't want the 7 or newer Pixels. And I don't want any of those Chinese spy-phones.
It's really a bummer that no one wants to make a decent phone anymore.