Pixel 9 Series Comes With Android 14, Sparks Debate Over Google’s 7-year Update Pledge

Google has introduced the Pixel 9 series on August 13, but fans were surprised to discover that the new handsets ran Android 14 rather than the anticipated Android 15. This surprise change has raised questions about Google's commitment to its 7-year update pledge, which was a significant selling point at the Pixel 8 series introduction last year.

During the Pixel 8 series introduction, Google promised an unprecedented 7 years of Android updates, which was expected to outperform even Apple's update track record. However, the fact that the Pixel 9 series will arrive with Android 14 rather than the most recent Android 15 has sparked concerns that Google is going back on its pledge. The Pixel 9 was expected to be released with Android 15, as new Pixel devices normally include the most recent Android version. This has generated concerns regarding the company's long-term update strategy and if the Pixel 9 will indeed receive seven years of updates, as promised.

There are various plausible reasons why Google decided to introduce the Pixel 9 series with Android 14. One possibility is that Android 15, despite being in Beta 4 and having achieved platform stability, may not have been fully ready for a stable release. Google may have determined that it was safer to release the Pixel 9 series with a more reliable Android 14 rather than risking potential problems with a fresh and untested Android 15.

Strategic timing may also be an important aspect. Google may have pushed the Pixel 9 release ahead of schedule to beat the iPhone 16 series, which is set to debut in September. Releasing the Pixel 9 series earlier may allow Google to gain market attention before Apple's latest offering hits the shops. This implies that the Pixel 9 series will miss out on Android 15 at its release, potentially limiting the amount of significant Android version updates it receives.

The Android community is now arguing whether Google's 7-year update pledge is as reliable as it first appeared. If Android 15 is considered the first big upgrade for the Pixel 9 series, the smartphones may only receive six major Android updates over their lifetime, finishing with Android 21 in 2031. While this legally fulfils Google's pledge, it may not meet customer expectations, as many had expected the Pixel 9 to receive upgrades up to Android 22.

This circumstance is relatively uncommon in the Android ecosystem, as manufacturers occasionally introduce devices with an older Android version in order to include the next new release in their update quota. However, given Google's bold pledge of longer upgrades, this change has some customers wondering its commitment. The fact that Android 15 was barely addressed at the Made by Google event adds to concerns that the impending upgrade may count against the 7-year guarantee, leaving the Pixel 9 series with fewer updates than anticipated.

As the Pixel 9 series becomes available, Google will need to clarify its update approach to convince users that they will receive the full 7 years of upgrades. Until then, the early release of Android 14 has raised more questions than answers, leading the Android community to ponder whether this is a foreshadowing of what is to come or simply a minor bump in Google's ambitious update timeline.