Google Pixel 6 could get five years of Android software updates

The Google Pixel 6 is expected to launch later this year and will come with impressive specs and additional software support, according to the most recent rumor.

FrontPageTech leaker Jon Prosser provided a glimpse of what the specs for upcoming smartphones might be like. The Pixel 6 will feature a 6.4-inch AMOLED display, a 50 MP main sensor with a 12 MP ultra-wide camera, 128/256 GB of storage, 8 GB of RAM, and a 4,614 mAh battery.

The “Pro” variant will get a display bump at 6.71in, although previous rumors have speculated that it will be a QHD + resolution at 120Hz, while the smaller variant will have a FHD + resolution at 120 Hz. The Pixel 6 “Pro” will also feature an additional 48 MP telephoto lens, up to 256 GB of storage and 12 GB of RAM. The battery will be larger at 5,000mAh.

Much of this has already been speculated, but it’s nice to see all of the specs presented to get a more complete picture of these devices.

What’s more interesting is that Prosser claims the Pixel 6 will receive five years of Android software updates, which is pretty impressive. Samsung holds the crown for longest software support so far after announcing a four-year support pledge on several of its devices. Its business phones are already promised up to five years of software support.

Of course, this is to be taken with a grain of salt until we hear something official from Google, but announcing five years of software support would be a major achievement in bringing the Android ecosystem closer to iOS in terms of support, and could be a huge selling point, especially for Google’s Pixel devices.

It’s also important to note that this doesn’t necessarily refer to five years of Android version upgrades, but five years of software support via security updates. The makers of the best Android phones tend to differentiate between the two when they announce their update promises. This might not be ideal, but the situation has improved a bit thanks to Project Mainline, and Google might surprise us given the work on its internal Whitechapel chipset.

For now, we’ll have to wait until October to hear anything official, as Prosser says that’s likely when the devices are announced.