For many Android users, the sad reality is that updates for the operating system are not rolled out to smartphones reliably or regularly. There is also a lot of catching up to do when it comes to the promised duration, with Samsung and Google, the supposedly most important companies, setting a positive example.
But now Google has actually let Samsung overtake it and should urgently add to the Pixel smartphones. There were times when it was completely normal to get a new mobile phone or smartphone every two years – always when the mobile phone contract expired and was renewed with supposedly free devices.
With a view to this pattern, two years of Android updates would be sufficient, but there are several catches: The smartphones on offer have often been on the market for a year and therefore only get one update from the perspective of the neo-owner.
In addition, the resale value drops due to the expired support. These and other reasons show that two years is not enough. It’s a good thing that Google increased it to three years a long time ago and that some manufacturers are following the example – albeit not reliably and sometimes with very long delays.
Google has always set itself the goal of providing the best service with the Pixel smartphones: first-hand updates and thus the fastest and longest Android updates. This applies to both operating system updates and security updates.
If we strip out the last three months of the Pixel 6 disaster, Google is still delivering on the promise today: first-minute updates, reliable rollout, and phones that are always up-to-date throughout the support period. But you can no longer claim to be the fastest manufacturer. And in the future, you will no longer deliver the longest updates.
Google is no longer the fastest
On the day the Android security update is released, it will be rolled out to Pixel smartphones. You can actually be faster, at least that’s what we thought until a few months ago. But Samsung is now rolling out the Android security updates for its S-series flagship smartphones BEFORE Google.
And not as a stroke of luck, but regularly. In recent months, it has been the rule that Samsung is faster than Google. There was no exception to this rule.
In practice, nothing has changed for Pixel users, because their updates don’t come any later than usual. But there is a manufacturer who is faster and Google’s big promise at the time gets a little crack.
Google is no longer reliable
I don’t want to overstate the Pixel 6 problems and meanwhile, Google seems to have gotten a grip on them ( with exceptions ). But the memories are still fresh and the fiasco at the turn of the year has left its mark: Although you have full control over the Android updates, the Pixel smartphones and the processor, there were big problems. The updates were not reliable and obviously not tested enough. The reason for this is of no interest to the end-user.
Reliable updates are exactly what Google has always advertised. But now, twice in a row, they have opened up more problems than they have fixed. What’s more, the push and pull have left the shiny new Pixel 6 flagships on an ‘old’ security stand. In January, many were still at the November level, some even at the October level. Any other manufacturer would complain at a high level, but Google has different requirements.
Google no longer offers the longest updates
What hurts the company and perhaps the Pixel fans the most: Google is no longer the ultimate in updates. For a few years, the 3-year update promise was at the top, but that’s no longer the case. Only two years ago, after Samsung wanted to provide the first smartphones with security updates for four years, Google followed up and raised this from three to five years. That was an important step, but it didn’t go far enough.
Now Samsung has also increased it to five years AND added operating system updates. Samsung offers four Android updates for many new smartphones. This is the first time Google has been overtaken. Of course, that’s just a promise for the time being and we won’t know what’s behind it for three years, but Samsung has kept all of its promises so far and I don’t expect it to be broken this time.
Google is no longer reliable
I don’t want to overstate the Pixel 6 problems and meanwhile Google seems to have gotten a grip on them ( with exceptions ). But the memories are still fresh and the fiasco at the turn of the year has left its mark: Although you have full control over the Android updates, the Pixel smartphones and the processor, there were big problems. The updates were not reliable and obviously not tested enough. The reason for this is of no interest to the end user.
Reliable updates are exactly what Google has always advertised. But now, twice in a row, they have opened up more problems than they have fixed. What’s more, the push and pull has left the shiny new Pixel 6 flagships on an ‘old’ security stand. In January, many were still at the November level, some even at the October level. Any other manufacturer would complain at a high level, but Google has different requirements.
Google no longer offers the longest updates
What hurts the company and perhaps the Pixel fans the most: Google is no longer the ultimate in updates. For a few years, the 3-year update promise was at the top, but that’s no longer the case. Only two years ago, after Samsung wanted to provide the first smartphones with security updates for four years, Google followed up and raised this from three to five years. That was an important step, but it didn’t go far enough.
Now Samsung has also increased it to five years AND added operating system updates. Samsung offers four Android updates for many new smartphones. This is the first time Google has been overtaken. Of course, that’s just a promise for the time being and we won’t know what’s behind it for three years, but Samsung has kept all of its promises so far and I don’t expect it to be broken this time.