Google is already faltering at its seven year update promise

Seven years of updates, as seen on the Google Pixel 8 and Samsung Galaxy S24 sequence, ought to be a stand-out promoting level for the newest and biggest smartphones. In principle, it’s; the previous days of shedding the newest Android options simply two years after buy had been shameful, and up-to-date safety is extra necessary than ever now that we retailer nearly all the things on our telephones. Nevertheless, Google might have bitten off greater than it will probably chew with such lengthy help pledges, particularly when tied with the promise of normal Function Drops.

I’m positive 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 option to the costlier Pixel 8 Professional. Meaning no AI summaries or good keyboard replies with out the cloud. The rationale: 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 subsequent seven years, regardless of their very related {hardware} specs. Whereas many shoppers won’t be too bothered by the restricted makes use of of AI at the moment, they could find yourself miffed a number of years later when their telephone doesn’t supply the identical options as opponents (or related gadgets 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 gadgets is more likely to widen fairly rapidly.

It’s equally damning that Google lately eliminated its Android 14 battery stats function, which confirmed charging cycle rely and battery manufacturing date, from the complete Pixel 8 sequence. The rationale given is that the function is meant to be accessible solely on the upcoming Pixel 8a and past. It appears like one other case of not futureproofing present gadgets sufficient to help a function deliberate for a mere few months later. Regardless, once more, the message reaffirms that you simply shouldn’t count on to obtain all the most recent stuff in your latest Pixel buy, even when it’s only some 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, Night time 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 listing, 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 amazing search for a pin-up product.

Whereas it will be unreasonable to count on to obtain each new function over seven years of updates ({hardware} strikes on, in any case), Google has did not deliver a number of flagship options to its telephones not even a yr after they launched. What hope ought to we’ve got that seven years of updates means something greater than the naked minimal help? 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 honest to Google, it launched a number of new choices throughout its gadgets in its December ’23 Function Drop. Name Display now seems on the Pixel Watch, you need to use your Pixel 6 or newer as a USB webcam, and dual-screen preview has made its option 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.

All hope just 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 sequence. 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 rapidly backdate a number of of its newest One UI 6.1 options to the Galaxy S23 sequence, Galaxy S23 FE, Galaxy Z Fold 5, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and Galaxy Tab S9. Updates ought to land as early as summer time 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, significantly as telephones age. Immediately, nonetheless, 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 sport, and rapidly.