The Pixel 3's three years of support are over, while the Pixel 6 is just beginning.
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Android’s November security patch brings Pixel 6 fixes, ends Pixel 3 support
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I've rooted a couple and installed newer Android versions, and a couple are remote controls for Chromecasting.
Last time I had a rooted daily driver phone, it was just pre Google-Pay. Not sure I could live without that, which might push me away from rooting.
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With Pixel phones just getting bigger and heavier (seriously, the 6 is 40% heavier than the 3) and miserable update commitment, I'm likely to go elsewhere next time. Yes pure android blah blah, but little else these days.
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Unlike iPhones, us Android users can install custom ROM, so we can actually have perpetual up to date OS on our old handsets beyond the manufacturer official support.
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This really saddens me. My Pixel 3XL is literally the best phone I've ever had. I've been through 6-7 Android phones and a few work iPhones before it and usually after about a 1.5 years, they start slowing down to the point that they are barely functioning by end of year 2 and I'm forced to upgrade to a new device. This Pixel 3XL is still running just as smoothly as the day I got it. Plus, when I got this phone, I was grandfathered in with an unlimited storage Google account, which I'm sure I will lose when I ultimately have to upgrade to a new device, which sounds like it's that time. With the flurry of malware out there, I won't feel safe running this phone for much longer.
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"The phone works perfectly well apart from a bit of battery degradation"
See, I don't get this. If the phone works perfectly well after 3 years, why do you need a constant upgrade?
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Would make sense if it was one of the thousand or so Samsungs on the market.. But this is a phone that Google has all the drivers and hardware control of.
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I use two old phones when we go on cruises. For one phone, I leave it on the veranda (in a waterproof casing) so that it can log GPS data and be used to plot a map of where we've been. For the other, I leave it set to UK time so that my 7am alarm consistently goes off at the same time regardless of where I am in the world. I have medication that works best if I stick to the exact same time.
Not particularly interesting uses, unfortunately, but it does make decent use of otherwise very old phones.
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The Android 12 update left my Pixel 3 XL in a ridiculously buggy unfinished state. Music and navigation can't stay open in the background. The home screen randomly crashes and stays gone. Notification icons randomly jump around the top of the screen. Even the date is cut off and not visible half the time in the notification shade. The reports that we're getting one more bug fix next year better be true, because the alternative is that Google deliberately crippled these devices on their way out of support to force people to upgrade.
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My Pixel 3 XL had a good run... notched about three years! Pixel 6 Pro is on a FedEx truck headed my way.
My Pixel 3XL received Android 12 several days before my wife's Pixel 5 received the update.
Though I don't expect to receive Android 13.
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Chemical Tribe
Ars Legatus Legionis
Apple pushed a software "fix" to hide a problem with 1.5 year old phones with failing batteries, and only admitted it was throttling when called out by the press. Samsung had phones explode. And of course, Google's issuses with each generation of pixels and nexus stuff.
Pick a phone that sucks the least for you. There are no good choices without some dealbreakers. If you can buy a fairphone they support their phones software and hardware wise probably better than anyone.
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I may have kind of implied it, but I didn’t actually call you a fanboy…Trust a poster in an Android thread to make Apples 5-6 years of OS updates out to be a bad thing because there’s no actual no. of years written down. I mean, why?The dichotomy of the first two posts quoted below made to this article is striking.
I think it's sad that 3 years is considered good, but it is above nearly all other Android brands.
It's ironic that Google commits to 3 years support and does exactly that, while Apple doesn't have any formal official minimum support period, yet historically has had much longer support periods and in fact is continuing the trend overall to longer and longer support periods.
I wish Apple's support periods were explicit minimums that could be surpassed rather than just based on faith.
IOS and Android ecosystems each have their flaws.
My Pixel 3 XL had a good run... notched about three years! Pixel 6 Pro is on a FedEx truck headed my way.
Did I come off like an Android fanboy? I have an iPhone now, specifically because I was tired of replacing otherwise perfectly good Androids due to security concerns. I mean I look at history and trust I'll have longer support, but I still like to see things officially in writing. I don't think that's unreasonable.
When I buy other name brand electronics they pretty much all last a lot longer than their written X year warranty. Should we do away with all warranties now?
Anyway, warranties and “update guarantees” are different beasts. A warranty ensures that it is the manufacturers responsibility that the product can ensure 2 years of actual use, and I’m pretty sure phones are covered by that as well. Updates add new functionality (even if in the shape of security updates) to your device - if the manufacturer provided 0 days of updates, the phone would still work as it did when you purchased it after 2 years.
I get what you mean, but an update guarantee would be legally difficult. Maybe the update only works on newer hardware? Then Apple, Samsung or Google would be forced to make an update for the older device just for the sake of it.
I’m fine with it being a selling point, something to set a manufacturer aside from others.
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I have a P2 that lived in a case and had a screen protector on it's it's whole life. It's mint and the battery is fine. I wiped it and use it, mostly, as an alarm clock. I also use it as an ODB2 (car) scanner and media casting device. Not as much on the media side as, usually, some form of credential is required.
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So did Google Fi lie to me? I was assured that my pixel 3XL would get security updates for three years AFTER my purchase, not from introduction of the device. I have only had it for approximately 2 years and a month. The update to Android 12 was not assured, but the security updates, were supposed to continue for another year. I hate planned obsolescence, so much so, that my current purchase of a Pixel 6 Pro, is now cancelled, I will still use my pixels, including the 4a I got as a secondary phone, but I will not buy anything else, until I get similar update assurances as the apple devices. I'm tired of perfectly good phones going to waste. Despite the notch, I really like my Pixel 3XL... I'm really not happy with Google, and all of its cancel culture
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The problem with lineage is that much of what makes a Pixel a Pixel is the software. Also, like Linux on desktop, the alternative ROMs always have something missing or not working, because, not only does Google end life it, it also never releases a full set of open source drivers for all pieces of the phone. Despite this, that is still what I might do. As soon as it becomes evident that the security of the phone is too compromised
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Voix des Airs
Ars Praefectus
One other thing about the EoL's that really annoys me is that ever since the line came into existence I've actually preferred Google's "a" phones to its "flagship" phones. But to this point support for the "flagships" has always run out an unknowable (since for some reason these things always seem to have to be a "surprise") but ever-increasing number of months before the "a" is introduced. It's now all the way up to August, so 10 months. So, like right now, I don't want a 6 and this time probably will wait to see what the "a" is like but with, apparently, no security patches. Over the years it just seems that more and more Google is trying to piss me off to the point that I go back to Apple. Almost as if they think they'd be in a pretty good business if it weren't for all the customers.
edit: just fixed messed up tags.
edit: just fixed messed up tags.
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Pixel 3 and 3 XL will get another update in Jan-Feb which will include fixes to Android 12 and security hardware updates. There is no reason to stop using the phone. Google Play Services (which is now a very integral part to Android) will get updates for years to come. Pixel 2 series is still getting Play System Updates.
Please keep using your phones until at least the middle of next year, without worrying about "security fixes" - make sure to keep your apps and google play updated (Settings - Security - Play System Updates & keep auto updates on for Play Store). I am not suggesting to use completely outdated an unsecure devices. But let's look at the big picture.
Please keep using your phones until at least the middle of next year, without worrying about "security fixes" - make sure to keep your apps and google play updated (Settings - Security - Play System Updates & keep auto updates on for Play Store). I am not suggesting to use completely outdated an unsecure devices. But let's look at the big picture.
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Considering my 6 caused an awful tingly/numbness in my hands I gladly went back to the 3xl. I understand all these articles anymore have to have some zingers but come on. E-waste? Obsolete? Even going as far as calling the 6 obsolete after 3 years? What are you smoking? How many android competitors' phones that are 3 years old are going to be rocking android 12 anytime soon? LG? That s10e?
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My Pixel 3 is still a good phone. I like it.
Well, it was a pretty good phone until a couple of weeks ago. Suddenly, the battery seems to drain about twice as fast as it did previously. Perhaps not coincidentally, this was about the same time as I upgraded the phone to Android 12.
Certainly, I'd like to see security updates for more than three years. But, what I find really annoying is what appears to be one last update that kills the battery life of my Pixel 3, (although Google has signaled that it may provide one more batch of fixes for the Pixel 3).
Actually, what I _really_ want is an unlocked Pixel 6 [non-Pro] that supports mmWave 5G. (Never mind that I don't think that mmWave 5G is likely to be all that widely deployed.)
Well, it was a pretty good phone until a couple of weeks ago. Suddenly, the battery seems to drain about twice as fast as it did previously. Perhaps not coincidentally, this was about the same time as I upgraded the phone to Android 12.
Certainly, I'd like to see security updates for more than three years. But, what I find really annoying is what appears to be one last update that kills the battery life of my Pixel 3, (although Google has signaled that it may provide one more batch of fixes for the Pixel 3).
Actually, what I _really_ want is an unlocked Pixel 6 [non-Pro] that supports mmWave 5G. (Never mind that I don't think that mmWave 5G is likely to be all that widely deployed.)
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You're the second comment I read that mentions one last security update. Where did you find this information? T-Mobile wants me off the the 3xl. I'm not sure why as it's a Fi supported device and Fi utilized the T-Mobile network. One last security update will make me end up keeping the 3xl until T-Mobile officially gives the device the boot.
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Finally - some sense has appeared in the comment section. The Pixel 3 is an amazing phone. You know how I know? I bought a backup 6 months ago ( from walmart 3rd party store for $150) and plan to use it for at least 18 more months. Look, if your carrier is "begging" you to upgrade and the phone still works fine, there's a problem. Everything after the Pixel 2 has full VoLTE and LTE Support - don't listen to these sales reps. If you want to upgrade, go for it but why give up on a phone that is working well? It's not perfect, but for my use case, it's perfect (I don't play games or go on social media but like taking photos and having a stable phone).
If anyone is having issues with their devices, please do a factory reset. I know it can take a few hours to set your phone up but it's worth it. Android isn't some Magical Operating System. Sometimes you can get lucky but most of the time, a factory reset after each Android Version Upgrade is just the ticket!
And please, if you do upgrade to another phone, clean your trusty Pixel, perform a factory reset and give it to a family member or friend. Android 12 has given new life into the phone. I know a lot of people don't like the UI but give it a few weeks. You might like it.
(Ron updated the article to include new update information).
If anyone is having issues with their devices, please do a factory reset. I know it can take a few hours to set your phone up but it's worth it. Android isn't some Magical Operating System. Sometimes you can get lucky but most of the time, a factory reset after each Android Version Upgrade is just the ticket!
And please, if you do upgrade to another phone, clean your trusty Pixel, perform a factory reset and give it to a family member or friend. Android 12 has given new life into the phone. I know a lot of people don't like the UI but give it a few weeks. You might like it.
(Ron updated the article to include new update information).
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That's very dependent on what Android phone you have. My Galaxy S7 and S9 have locked bootloaders, so there's almost nothing available for them. I'd love to put Lineage on the S9, because it's still a very good phone.
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I may have kind of implied it, but I didn’t actually call you a fanboy…Trust a poster in an Android thread to make Apples 5-6 years of OS updates out to be a bad thing because there’s no actual no. of years written down. I mean, why?The dichotomy of the first two posts quoted below made to this article is striking.
I think it's sad that 3 years is considered good, but it is above nearly all other Android brands.
It's ironic that Google commits to 3 years support and does exactly that, while Apple doesn't have any formal official minimum support period, yet historically has had much longer support periods and in fact is continuing the trend overall to longer and longer support periods.
I wish Apple's support periods were explicit minimums that could be surpassed rather than just based on faith.
IOS and Android ecosystems each have their flaws.
My Pixel 3 XL had a good run... notched about three years! Pixel 6 Pro is on a FedEx truck headed my way.
Did I come off like an Android fanboy? I have an iPhone now, specifically because I was tired of replacing otherwise perfectly good Androids due to security concerns. I mean I look at history and trust I'll have longer support, but I still like to see things officially in writing. I don't think that's unreasonable.
When I buy other name brand electronics they pretty much all last a lot longer than their written X year warranty. Should we do away with all warranties now?
Anyway, warranties and “update guarantees” are different beasts. A warranty ensures that it is the manufacturers responsibility that the product can ensure 2 years of actual use, and I’m pretty sure phones are covered by that as well. Updates add new functionality (even if in the shape of security updates) to your device - if the manufacturer provided 0 days of updates, the phone would still work as it did when you purchased it after 2 years.
I get what you mean, but an update guarantee would be legally difficult. Maybe the update only works on newer hardware? Then Apple, Samsung or Google would be forced to make an update for the older device just for the sake of it.
I’m fine with it being a selling point, something to set a manufacturer aside from others.
Thank you for the respectful and well reasoned reply. I wasn't exactly accusing you of calling me names, but to quote you I kind of implied it. No hard feelings from my end.
With that out of the way, depending how bad the security flaw is, due to a "manufacturer defect" in the software, it may break in normal operation. That may be too old a version of Android meaning you can't do Netflix anymore. That's not a hypothetical, I have a tablet that can't update Neflix because it's too old OS, and Netflix servers are now incompatible. Neflix was pre-installed when I bought it.
Or you may be subject to a virus.
It's not a perfect analogy to a warranty, but I still think it's reasonable. No 2 things are perfectly alike unless they are literally the same thing.
Also, there's a big difference between getting a new Android update from say 11 to 12 vs just fixing a simple vulnerability in a library. Often the fix is nearly as simple as applying the same patch and then doing a little testing. Apple pretty recently released a security patch for iOS 12, at least within the last 6 month I think. They've released iOS 15 now...
My old Android phones for their 2 year or less support period would often have security patches on older Android releases because they wouldn't update to a new major version. That was fine, except the 2 year part.
Hell, Google gave pixel 3 the latest Android, which they definitely will patch. Yet they won't bother hitting compile on the Pixel 3 target and do some bare minimum testing.
Electronic waste is a major problem. Companies generally don't like to take care of waste they produce unless forced by consumer sentiment or the government. Neither consumer sentiment or the government is perfect or infallible. Both should work together to improve things.
Ok, that went pretty long. /rant
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Interesting... My daughter has the 3a, will have to check it and see if the update is available.
Sad to see it's going out of support, the 3a has been the best phone deal ever - $80 in like-new condition a couple of years ago. My wife will probably take the 3a after xmas when my daughter moves to an iphone11. These new phones coming out are great for the used phone market.
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Usually at least 3 = at most 3 for android. Very rarely do you get more than 3 years of OS updates in the android ecosystem.
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