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Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Seven years of updates, as seen on the Google Pixel 8 and Samsung Galaxy S24 collection, ought to be a stand-out promoting level for the most recent and biggest smartphones. In concept, it’s; the previous days of dropping the most recent Android options simply two years after buy had been shameful, and up-to-date safety is extra vital than ever now that we retailer nearly all the pieces on our telephones. Nonetheless, Google could have bitten off greater than it will probably chew with such lengthy assist pledges, particularly when tied with the promise of normal Function Drops.
I’m certain you’ve learn that Google’s Pixel 8 is on the middle of latest controversy after confirming that Gemini Nano, Google’s compact mannequin to energy on-device AI, gained’t be coming to the bottom mannequin after making its strategy to the dearer Pixel 8 Professional. Meaning no AI summaries or good keyboard replies with out the cloud. The explanation: unspecified {hardware} limitations. That’s a double blow, on condition that Video Enhance and different AI doodads had been already reserved for the Professional.
It’s clear that the Pixel 8 gained’t obtain all the identical options because the Professional over the following seven years, regardless of their very comparable {hardware} specs. Whereas many shoppers may not be too bothered by the restricted makes use of of AI right this moment, they could find yourself miffed just a few years later when their cellphone doesn’t supply the identical options as rivals (or comparable units from the identical model). Particularly in the event that they imagine they had been promised as a lot. With out complete updates, the hole with future units is prone to widen fairly shortly.
Seven years of updates is shortly turning into an ambiguous promise of little value.
It’s equally damning that Google just lately eliminated its Android 14 battery stats characteristic, which confirmed charging cycle depend and battery manufacturing date, from all the Pixel 8 collection. The explanation given is that the characteristic is meant to be out there solely on the upcoming Pixel 8a and past. It seems like one other case of not futureproofing present units sufficient to assist a characteristic deliberate for a mere few months later. Regardless, once more, the message reaffirms that you simply shouldn’t anticipate to obtain all the most recent stuff in your latest Pixel buy, even when it’s just a few months previous.
The cutting-edge Pixel Fold, which is promised 5 years of updates, additionally appears left within the chilly. There’s no phrase on if or when the $1,800 foldable will obtain Pixel 8-era options like Video Enhance, Evening Sight with Time Lapse, Summarize in Recorder, or something associated to Gemini Nano. You’d suppose an ultra-premium product could be excessive up the replace precedence checklist, however Google treats it extra like a prototype. And we nonetheless come throughout the odd criticism that multi-tasking stays a ache and that little has modified because the transfer to Android 14. It’s not an awesome search for a pin-up product.
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Whereas it will be unreasonable to anticipate to obtain each new characteristic over seven years of updates ({hardware} strikes on, in any case), Google has didn’t carry a number of flagship options to its telephones not even a 12 months after they launched. What hope ought to we have now that seven years of updates means something greater than the naked minimal assist? Feedback throughout our polls on the subject concur; followers are ticked off, and belief within the seven years of promised upgrades is already wavering. 37% of our readers polled already remorse shopping for the vanilla Pixel 8 mannequin!
To be truthful to Google, it launched a number of new choices throughout its units in its December ’23 Function Drop. Name Display now seems on the Pixel Watch, you should use your Pixel 6 or newer as a USB webcam, and dual-screen preview has made its strategy to the Fold. Nonetheless, it’s the headline-grabbing options, like AI, that followers have their eyes on, and that’s the place Google’s replace coverage is a letdown.
Who’s doing a greater job with cellphone updates?
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All hope isn’t misplaced for long-term updates. Samsung leaves no man behind, having applied the identical Galaxy AI capabilities throughout all three entries within the Galaxy S24 collection. And that’s regardless of regional chipset variations. Google’s lack of dedication to the Pixel 8 is weak by comparability. Moreover, Samsung plans to shortly backdate a number of of its newest One UI 6.1 options to the Galaxy S23 collection, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and Galaxy Tab S9. Updates ought to land as early as summer season of ’24.
In fact, we’ll be watching how Samsung’s personal seven-year replace pledge pans out over the approaching months and years. Issues may change, notably as telephones age. In the present day, nevertheless, it seems way more dedicated to its newest merchandise and previous-generation Galaxys than Google is to its Pixel line-up. Right here’s hoping that Google improves its replace recreation, and shortly.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
Vibrant, sharp 1440p show
Glorious replace dedication
Useful Galaxy AI options
Samsung Galaxy S24
Seven-year replace dedication
Neat AI options
Sturdy battery life
Google Pixel 8 Professional
Glorious cameras
Enjoyable, unique Android 14 customizations
Business-leading replace promise
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