Google confirms one more update for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL after November security patch miss

The end is not quite nigh for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. Yesterday, Google released the November 2021 security patch to Pixel smartphones, but only the Pixel 3a series onwards. Understandably, people assumed that Google had dropped software support for the Pixel 3 series, which launched in October 2018.

However, Google has confirmed to 9to5Google that the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will receive one more update before software update support ends. Apparently, Google will deliver this final update in Q1 2022; it did not specify when during that quarter nor what the update will contain. 9to5Google speculates that the Q1 2022 update will contain numerous bug fixes, but there is no guarantee that this will happen.

Nonetheless, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will continue to receive updates through Project Mainline, which Google introduced with Android 10. As XDA Developers details, Project Mainline unbundles over two-dozen modules from over-the-air (OTA) updates, such as Wi-Fi connectivity. These modules will remain supported long after the Q1 2022 update arrives, so all is not lost if your Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are still working fine.

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