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Buy a Pixel if you want timely updates… Oh wait.
June 22, 2025
Two things that happened the other day got me thinking about the strange situation Pixel users have found themselves in regarding the promised quick updates.
First, Samsung released a newAndroid 10 beta for the Galaxy S9that includes the January 2020 security patch. It wouldn’t be the first time a company pushes out next month’s patch in advance, but it’s pretty striking nevertheless.
Second, I wrote a quick post about thePixel 3aselling for $360 on Amazon. As I was writing it, I almost mechanically wanted to say that Pixel phones come with the “guarantee” of fast updates. Then I remembered that some Pixel 4 users are still stuck on the October security patch. I replaced “guarantee” with “promise,” though frankly this promise looks more like an ill-defined aspiration, than a serious pledge.
A quick check of Reddit, Twitter, and the comment sections of Android websites will surface dozens of examples of Pixel users stuck on outdated security patches, wondering what happened to the promise of quick updates.
It doesn’t help that Google just announced the firstFeature Dropfor the Pixel 4, and that, you guessed it, many Pixel 4 users still haven’t got that either.
This redditorposting on r/GooglePixelsums it up pretty well:
I am not going to harp on the potential reasons why Google has delayed the November patch or the December patch, or why the promised Feature Drop is still a no-show for some. Technology is complicated, and these things are sometimes unavoidable.
It’s harder to pardon Google’s lack of communication on the matter — or the fact that the infamous “check update” button, which was supposed to trigger an update to the latest OTA, is still not working as promised. The feature wasfirst announced in September 2017forAndroid 8 Oreoand despite being initially bugged, a fix was rolled out inearly 2018. Not so much, apparently.
For what is worth, the update issues appear to affect a minority of users. I got both the December patch and last week’s Feature Drop on my own Pixel 4 XL, as did two of my colleagues. Your mileage may vary.
This particular issue may come and go, but the damage to Google’s reputation may be lasting. I already wrote extensively about Google’s reputation, and howit’s becoming one of its biggest problems. With these missing Pixel 4 updates, Google is damaging one of the areas where it actually has a stellar reputation as a smartphone maker.
The solid update policy has always been one of the reasons we’ve recommended Pixel phones, and Nexus devices before it. In a sea of mediocre efforts, Pixels stood out as the only credible Android counterpart to iPhones, which offer both faster updates and longer update periods.
How can we atAndroid Authority— or any other tech media — still say in good faith that buying a Google Pixel will get you fast updates? It’s definitely becoming difficult for me personally.
The Pixel 4 stands out in precious few ways —I love the design, the camera quality is still great (with some qualifiers), and it offers some amazing software features, likeAstrophotography modeandRecorder. Are timely updates still a selling point? Arguably, yes, for now, as long as the delays don’t become constant. Also, as long as the promised Feature Drops actually come on time; it’s one thing to wait out for a security patch, another to miss out on cool new features.
Smartphones in 2020: 20 things we want to see from phone makers
Ironically, Google has worked hard to improve updates across the Android ecosystem. Therollout of new Android versions is accelerating, and more companies now offer monthly security patches, early betas and fairly timely system updates. OnePlus stands out as a great example, but even former laggards like Samsung and HUAWEI have improved their game dramatically compared to a few years ago. Google needs to do better to stand out against this background.
I admit I’m holding Google to a very high standard here — perhaps an unattainable one. But that’s the whole point, no? The Pixel line is supposed to lead by example. And what example is Google giving here?
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