Google looks to outdo Apple with seven years of software support for Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro

Android OEMs have been steadily improving their software coverage in the last few years, although none have caught Apple so far. For context, Apple only dropped support for its A11 Bionic-based iPhones last month with the release of iOS 17. In other words, iPhone owners can expect at least six years of software updates, which even the Fairphone 5 fails to match.

Instead, Samsung and Xiaomi are only just getting around to offering four OS updates for their devices, with a fifth year of security patches. While the pair may expand this eventually, these limits apply to the likes of the Xiaomi 13T and Xiaomi 13T Pro, as well as the Galaxy S23 FE that Samsung announced earlier today. However, Google has reset expectations by bringing seven years of support, OS updates and security patches, to the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro.

Thus, the pair should remain supported until 2030, outlasting even the iPhone 15 series. In a blog post, Google outlines that it has entered contracts with its partners to enable long-term support and has expanded its testing infrastructure to accommodate an additional four OS updates for its devices. Also, Google hopes to offer replacement parts until the end of the decade, too. 

Pre-order the Google Pixel 8 on Amazon