Google’s extended Pixel updates prove just how important Tensor is

The Pixel 6 launched with Android 12 and was scheduled for 3 years of OS updates, which might have made this yr’s Android 15 improve the final main replace exterior of safety patches. Likewise, the Pixel 7 was scheduled to achieve the top of its OS upgrades subsequent yr, however these fashions will now see Android 17 and 18, respectively. That’s fairly the boon for shoppers who had maybe been pondering a brand new mannequin quickly, even though these telephones nonetheless rock {hardware} that’ll stay succesful for one more few years.

As an apart, Google has proven up a lot of the broader smartphone world, with shock longevity for older flagships, to which it definitely had no obligation to throw a lifeline. The truth that a three-year-old Pixel will obtain OS updates for so long as the brand-new ROG Telephone 9 Professional is somewhat embarrassing if you happen to’re ASUS. Sadly, Android rivals received’t essentially be capable to rise to Google’s problem, and the why has so much to do with Tensor.

So, what does Tensor must do with all this? Properly, OS updates are strictly tied to chipset {hardware} assist — it’s sadly not so simple as simply pushing new software program onto present gadgets. Whereas the precise ins and outs are fairly difficult, the TL;DR is that chipset producers should implement Google’s low-level HAL and Linux kernel necessities to be licensed for Android updates, which spirals in complexity and prices the extra OS variations a chipset helps. To assist, 2020’s Google Necessities Freeze (GRF) program relaxed the foundations, permitting for certification as the seller software program helps HAL and kernel necessities from the previous 4 years. So, a chipset that shipped with Android 12 might assist Android 13, 14, and 15 with out an replace to the low-level {hardware} code, decreasing engineering prices for longer-term assist. The disadvantage is that these updates received’t essentially embrace new Android {hardware} options.

You’ll observe, nonetheless, that that is in need of the four- to seven-year guarantees that some current flagship smartphones ship with. MediaTek and Qualcomm seemingly spend some engineering sources updating their chip software program to supply prolonged assist, however this relies fully on the processor. Costly flagship silicon has the longest lifespans, whereas cheaper fashions largely miss out.

For those who’re ASUS, OnePlus, Xiaomi, or another model that depends on MediaTek or Qualcomm processors, you’re just about caught with no matter stage of assist the chip vendor provides because the higher restrict in your replace coverage, which appears to be about 4 years. Except you pay a hefty price to increase assist or, in Samsung’s case (which additionally has Exynos to take care of), go the equally costly route of maintaining the chip implementation up-to-date your self. That being stated, some producers don’t even present all of the OS upgrades they might attributable to their very own value issues, so a scarcity of updates is just not at all times a chipset challenge.

By growing Tensor in-house, Google has the management wanted to assist its chips because it sees match. That is the way it’s been capable of provide longer-term assist than the overwhelming majority of Android rivals for each flagship and funds handsets and the way it can shock us with additional assist for older fashions seemingly out of nowhere.

That’s a luxurious you solely get by being on the helm of the whole processor growth course of, however it comes at a price, each by way of designing silicon and persevering with to replace the low-level software program. And that’s on high of growing the precise OS updates for every telephone.

As for the Pixel 6 and seven, Google has presumably gone again to the unique Tensor and Tensor G2, patched up the low-level software program to a ample stage, and may now proceed to assist these chipsets and telephones for one more few years. As a result of Google makes use of the identical chips throughout value factors, reasonably priced smartphones have benefitted too. In principle, it might do that for so long as it wished — or at the least till it grew to become uneconomical or too few handsets remained energetic for it to be worthwhile. That stated, we definitely shouldn’t rely on Google including further years of assist to its Pixel telephones once more sooner or later. The Pixel 8 sequence and onwards already provide in depth seven-year replace insurance policies that’ll in all probability outlast their {hardware}.

Google’s Tensor would possibly face loads of (honest) criticism for not being a benchmark-topping chip and appears set to fall additional behind its opponents in upcoming generations. However by way of offering worth for cash, it’s onerous to argue towards the Pixel sequence’ market-leading replace pledges, and we have now Tensor to thank for that partly.

Fortunately, Google is making it simpler for all Android gadgets to see seven years of updates with its equally named however newer Longevity GRF program, permitting telephone producers to reuse as much as seven-year-old chipset software program (up from 4) when making use of Android updates, with a kernel replace required after each three years. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite is among the first chipsets within the Longevity GRF program, that means that upcoming flagships ought to see longer-term assist than their predecessors, at the least in principle. In fact, that doesn’t assist right this moment’s smartphones, lots of that are caught with a handful of OS upgrades. Except MediaTek, Qualcomm, and their companions instantly resolve they wish to spend some huge cash bettering assist for older fashions, we shouldn’t count on Android rivals to match Google’s shock lifespan extension for its older flagships.