With Android 16 dropping, it’s an exciting time for a lot of Google Pixel users, bringing in new things like the cool Material 3 Expressive design, stronger security, and better productivity tools. However, if you’ve got an older Pixel, you might be out of luck, as a bunch of those devices won’t be getting the latest operating system update.
Google is always changing its software support policies, and a lot of the older models have hit their end-of-life for major Android versions and security patches. That means they’re going to stay on whatever their last supported Android release was. However, there are exceptions that have popped up thanks to last-minute changes in update rules.
These Phones Won’t Be Getting the Android 16 Update
Essentially, if you have a phone that is the Pixel 5 or older, you’re not going to get this update. Those who are on the Pixel 6 and above will get it just because of a rule change. Here are the phones that will not receive update 16 QPR1:
- Pixel 5a (Last OS update was Android 14)
- Pixel 5 (Last OS update was Android 14)
- Pixel 4a (5G) (Last OS update was Android 14)
- Pixel 4a (Last OS update was Android 13)
- Pixel 4 and 4 XL (Last OS update was Android 13)
- Pixel 3a and 3a XL (Last OS update was Android 12L)
- Pixel 3 and 3 XL (Last OS update was Android 12)
- Pixel 2 and 2 XL (Last OS update was Android 11)
- Pixel (1st gen) and Pixel XL (Last OS update was Android 10)
What’s interesting is that no phone will stop receiving updates on Android 15. So those of you with a Pixel 6 or 7 running Android 15 should look for an update on your phone. Pixels tend to get updates sooner than other brands, and you should have already gotten the option to upgrade, as long as your phone is able to.
Why Pixel 6 and 7 Are Still Getting Updates
The good news for anyone with a Pixel 6 or Pixel 7 series phone is that those phones will still get the latest Android updates, including Android 16 QPR1. This is a big deal because, for a long time, older Pixels like the Pixel 5a and earlier were already done with their software support. However, thanks to a huge change from Google, the Pixel 6 and 7 lineups are sticking around for a lot longer.
Originally, any Pixel phone launched before the Pixel 8 was guaranteed only three years of Android OS updates and five years of security patches. In a pretty important announcement in December 2024, Google changed the rules. This gave the Pixel 6 series through the Pixel 7 series a major boost, extending their support to a full five years of both OS and security updates.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the new support timelines:
- The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, which came out in October 2021, will now get their final Android updates in October 2026.
- The Pixel 6a (July 2022) is now supported until at least July 2027.
- The Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro (October 2022) get updates until at least October 2027.
- The Pixel 7a (May 2023) will have support until at least May 2028.
- The Pixel Fold (June 2023) is also on the list, with support extending to June 2028.
This change means these phones will get more major Android versions than anyone expected. Based on the usual yearly Android release schedule, the Pixel 6 series should get Android 17 as its last major OS update, while the Pixel 7 series is on track for Android 18 as its final one. It’s pretty clear these devices have a special status now compared to their older siblings.
The reasoning all comes down to the Google Tensor chip. The Pixel 6 was the first device to use this Google-designed System-on-Chip (SoC). Since Google now controls both the hardware and the software, it doesn’t have to rely on third-party companies like Qualcomm to get updates done. This gives Google a lot more flexibility to support its devices for a longer time, which is a big change from older Pixels that used Snapdragon processors.
While getting OS updates is a huge win, it’s worth remembering that it doesn’t always mean you’ll get every new feature. Some features, especially those that need specific hardware, might not work on older devices. For example, the new Battery Health feature in Android 16 is only on the Pixel 8a and newer because of product limitations.
The Last Updates for the Newest Google Pixels
Justin Duino / How-To Geek
The support for Google’s Pixel brand has increased as time has gone on. The Pixel 4 and 4 XL, which came out in October 2019 on Android 10, were only guaranteed three years of OS and security updates. Their software journey wrapped up in October 2022 with Android 13 as their final major OS. That gave the phones about three years and three months of total support.
The Pixel 4a, released in August 2020, also started with Android 10 and a promise of three years of updates. It got its last official OS and security patch in August 2023, ending on Android 13. The Pixel 4a (5G), which came out a few months later in November 2020 with Android 11, had a similar three-year guarantee and finished its run in November 2023 on Android 14.
Then we have the Pixel 5, Google’s flagship from 2020. It launched in October with Android 11, and like the others, it had a three-year promise. Its last OS update was Android 14, and its final security patch came in October 2023. The Pixel 5a, released in August 2021, also concluded its support in August 2024 with Android 14. These devices, from the Pixel 4 to the 5a, mark the end of Google’s shorter update cycles.
I went over the Pixel 6 and 7 already, but basically, Google has been increasing the lifespan in small ways. The most significant change came with the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, which launched in October 2023 with Android 14. These phones, and every new Pixel after them, get an unprecedented seven years of both OS and security updates.
How the Update Guarantees Work for the Pixel Series
Google’s biggest move for longevity started with the Pixel 8 series in October 2023. These phones, and every Pixel that comes after them, now get an amazing seven years of both Android OS and security updates. While you shouldn’t expect them to be working perfectly all the time, this long-term promise applies to devices like the Pixel 8a (supported until May 2031), the Pixel 9 series (until August/September 2031), the Pixel 9a (until March 2032), and the latest Pixel 10 series (until August/October 2032).
For the Pixel 8, which we liked in our review, this means it’s guaranteed to be supported until October 2030 and is expected to get major Android OS updates all the way up to Android 21. This seven-year commitment is a game-changer and is one of the best you’ll find on any smartphone.
As for how often you get updates, major Android OS updates come out about once a year, usually in the late summer or early fall. Pixel phones are known for getting these updates right away, on day one of their public release, which is way ahead of most other Android manufacturers. On top of the yearly OS updates, Google also has Quarterly Platform Releases (QPRs), or what a lot of us call Pixel Drops, which bring new features, security fixes, and bug squashes every three months.
These smaller, regular updates ensure your Pixel is always getting new stuff throughout the year, even between major OS versions. To be fair, while these guarantees are impressive, it’s worth noting that not every new feature will work on older Pixel hardware. I mentioned this because the Pixel 6 is not getting features the Pixel 8 will. Still, Google is likely going to maintain older Pixel phones after a while instead of making sure every old phone gets the newest features.
For some users, one of the most anticipated events each year is the release of a new Android version. These come with a lot of cool new features, performance improvements, and security updates. These updates are essential for keeping devices running smoothly, protecting user data, and ensuring compatibility with the latest applications and services. Even if you don’t have the best Androids in 2025, you can at least have the best software available.
Unfortunately, the lifecycle of a smartphone, particularly around software support, is a factor that tends to get overlooked until the moment a phone is no longer eligible for the newest update. With the original Android 16 already out, it may be time to update your phone if you haven’t yet, especially with the QPR1 coming. This may be the time to go after a midrange phone instead of a flagship, as long as that upgrade gives you the newest updates getting released.