Google gives a software guarantee for its Pixel smartphones. From the market launch, it is offered that the pixel devices will be supplied with new Android versions for a maximum of three years. Not only do I find this period too short, this guarantee now only covers part of the regular updates. Google has so far ignored the so-called pixel feature drops.
While a new Android version is usually released annually, the so-called pixel feature drops come every quarter. This has been normal for some time. These quarterly updates usually bring various innovations for exclusive pixel functions and apps. Sometimes even completely new functions and also completely new apps. In addition, there are many bug fixes and improvements for the devices under the hood.
An Android version comes with three Pixel Feature Drops
What’s stupid: If the guarantee for new Android updates for a pixel smartphone ends, Google will stop delivering the pixel feature drops. At the time of writing, the Pixel 3a and 3a XL have been hit. The devices run Android 12 and received the previous feature drops from December and March. They will not get the third and final feature drop for Android 12.
Why? The mentioned Pixel Feature Drop appeared in June, but the update guarantee for the devices ended just a few days earlier in May. However, due to the Android 12 available on these devices, there is nothing wrong with delivering the corresponding Pixel Feature Drop from June anyway. Google needs to improve here.
Update Guarantee was originally introduced well before Pixel Feature Drops
Since three-pixel feature drops are provided for each Android version, Google should also guarantee these for the devices. Regardless of the expiry date of the update guarantee. Especially in the example mentioned with the Pixel 3a, in my opinion, there is no reason why two of the quarterly updates are supported, but not the third. Illogical!
In my opinion, Google should therefore say: We guarantee x new Android versions including the pixel feature drops. However, it could be that with future devices such as the Pixel 6a, the slightly later market launch will make this problem obsolete. So far, after the Pixel 3a, all newer devices have been on sale later, making it in time for any future June Pixel Feature Drops.
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