Google has finally unveiled its long-awaited Pixel 6 series, with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro powered by the company’s ground-breaking Tensor chipset. This chipset is said to be 80% faster than the CPU within its Pixel 5 predecessor, meanwhile, the integrated GPU is also thought to be 370% quicker than the Pixel 5’s GPU – a major boon for mobile gamers.
Along with the incorporation of the new Tensor chipset, Google has also confirmed the Pixel 6 series will benefit from up to five years of updates. Firstly, it will receive three years of software updates. This means owners of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will be some of the first to experience the Android 13 OS, as well as the Android 14 and Android 15 OS. In addition, the handsets will include five years of security patches, making it the longest support window for any Android smartphone. The Google Pixel 6 is due to retail at Rs 56,200, while the Pixel 6 Pro will retail at Rs 77,900.
Google starts to rival Apple for software compatibility
It also competes well with Apple’s iPhone series, which has long offered six years of security patches for its devices. Historically, Apple’s original iPhone and iPhone 3G models were given just two major software updates, but more recent models have benefitted from between five and six years of updates.
The continual updates made to older iPhone models are an effective way of retaining compatibility among Apple’s user base. Even the oldest iPhones can still, therefore, benefit from the newest features and functionality that Apple releases in its latest operating systems. It’s all geared towards keeping more consumers within the iPhone ecosystem.
Of course, Apple isn’t the only company that acknowledges the importance of being able to reach as broad an audience as possible. In fact, it’s commonplace in a wealth of industries today. In social media, platforms like Facebook and TikTok work hard to provide inclusive environments for users to engage with one another and share viral content. Both Facebook and TikTok regularly update their native Android and iOS apps to continue to provide an intuitive and secure environment for users. It’s a similar story in the iGaming industry, where operators work hard to appeal to owners of both iOS and Android devices for playing casino games safely on mobile. The available options on time2play include BetMGM, which lists its online casino app for New Jersey-based users on both the App Store and Google Play Store respectively. The undeniable point is that appealing to a wider audience will benefit you as a business, but this benefit is also shared with consumers as your phone or platform is usable for longer.
Native Android apps are of course available to download and install on any Android smartphone, whether it’s manufactured by Google, Samsung, Xiaomi, or OnePlus. However, given Google’s close ties to Android, Google’s Android smartphones typically receive the major software patches before any other device manufacturer. They’ll also be privy to the most recent developer previews and beta versions of new Android operating systems.
In terms of the frequency and timing of the software and security upgrades promised to Google Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro owners, Google has been somewhat vague. It’s said that the “frequency” and “categories” of any patches will “depend on the capabilities and needs of the hardware”. This suggests the upgrades will only occur when there is a clear void needing to be filled in terms of the user interface, user experience, and user security.