The Pixel Watch and Pixel 7 deserve greater than 3 years of updates | Bros Tech

After years of rumors and leaks, Google lastly revealed the Pixel Watch earlier this week. Nevertheless, the corporate not noted a key element through the presentation: how lengthy it would help its first Put on OS smartwatch. Luckily for us, Google’s product documentation web site provides extra particulars. Just like the Pixel 7 sequence, the Pixel Watch will get three years of assured software program updates, till October 2025 (Pixel 7 telephones will even get two extra years of safety updates).

If that three-year OS promise would not sound very spectacular, let me guarantee you that it’s not. Let’s begin with the Pixel Watch. It faces two huge opponents in the intervening time and each of them handily beat Google when it comes to help. Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 5, which relies on the identical Put on OS basis, will obtain 4 years of software program updates. In the meantime, the Apple Watch Collection 8 might be supported for a full 5 years based mostly on previous developments.

As a potential Pixel Watch purchaser, it is disappointing to be taught that the watch is already working. If I do not decide one at launch, I will be shopping for a product that’s already quick approaching a set expiration date. Whereas I agree that Google has to attract a line someplace, three years is not lengthy sufficient for a tool that can keep on cabinets for a 3rd of that point.

Additionally, contemplating Google’s tendency to close down beloved companies, I am slightly cautious of shopping for a first-gen product. Whereas I doubt it would share Stadia’s destiny, Google’s reluctance to make a long-term dedication doesn’t encourage confidence. Somewhat, long-term upgrades would enshrine Google’s dedication, although that will be pricey for the corporate if its first-generation product flops. Actually, the Galaxy Watch 5 looks like the most secure guess, and that is earlier than we even talk about value. Samsung’s supply is 25% cheaper than the Pixel Watch.

Earlier than the announcement, I anticipated the Pixel Watch to develop into an business benchmark for long-term software program help, much like the Nexus sequence. As a substitute, I now bear in mind how little has modified for the reason that late 2010s. Most Put on OS smartwatches on the time, together with my second-gen Moto 360, acquired solely two or three years of software program updates.

Opinion: The Pixel Watch cannot succeed if Google reuses the identical 8-year-old components

It isn’t simply the Pixel Watch that disappoints on the software program updates entrance; Google’s Pixel 7 sequence will even obtain three Android model updates. You may nonetheless see safety patches for a few years past 2025, however do not anticipate any new options to come back.

When Google introduced that it’s utilizing customized silicon for the Pixel sequence, many speculated that the transfer would convey longer help home windows. This made sense as Google now not has to depend on a third-party chip vendor to launch up to date drivers or present help. However although Google negotiated with Qualcomm to ensure three OS upgrades for Snapdragon SoCs launched after 2020, the search big hasn’t damaged that benchmark for its personal gadgets. It isn’t clear why. Maybe price remains to be a barrier given the Pixel’s comparatively small gross sales quantity.

In the meantime, the competitors has caught up with Google. Xiaomi was as soon as ridiculed amongst Android fanatics for its inconsistent software program help. Nevertheless, the corporate has promised to supply three years of OS updates and 4 years of safety patches for the Xiaomi 12 sequence. To be clear, you do get an additional 12 months of safety updates with the Pixel 7, however that is only a small victory when you think about how superior Google as soon as was.

After which there’s Samsung. The South Korean firm now leads the Android market when it comes to software program help. With 4 years of OS updates and 5 whole years of safety patches, it is not removed from matching Apple’s glorious observe report. In some context, the 2017 iPhone 8 acquired this 12 months’s iOS 16 replace. Samsung’s improve coverage additionally applies to mid-range smartphones just like the Galaxy A53 5G, which competes with the inexpensive Google Pixel 6a as an alternative of the Pixel 7 and Professional.

After all, there’s nonetheless one profit to proudly owning a Pixel: You get software program updates earlier than everybody else. Android 13, for instance, has but to make its solution to most non-Pixel smartphones. Though Google hosts a beta program yearly, most producers solely appear to speed up growth after the steady launch.

Nevertheless, sooner updates do not make up for a shorter help window. I would additionally say that many Pixel house owners, a minimum of in the present day, purchase into Google’s clear, feature-rich Pixel UI ecosystem. These demanding customers usually tend to evaluate the longevity of their smartphone software program to the gold normal. If Google desires to promote a premium expertise that rivals the iPhone, it wants greater than half a 12 months’s value of OS updates. And extra importantly, we nonetheless want Google to guide by instance and maintain the Android business on its toes. I doubt that Samsung and Xiaomi would have improved their insurance policies had been it not for the competitors.

Nonetheless, I hope Google considers rising its dedication to long-term software program updates throughout the Pixel ecosystem, if not for the advantage of prospects, then a minimum of for the setting. Smartphone {hardware} has reached the purpose of diminishing returns, and with Google’s self-repair and different sustainability initiatives, we should always have the choice to proceed utilizing our current {hardware} for longer.

See additionally: Time to ditch our fascination with the annual replace cycle