Google Pixel owners get a big free Android update | Tech News

If you’ve gotten a Google Pixel telephone in your pocket, you ought to be used to the perks of proudly owning a telephone from the company that additionally makes Android. One of these boons is getting month-to-month function and security software program updates first, earlier than these Android-wide modifications roll out to different telephones from the likes of Samsung, OnePlus or Honor.

Alongside a common Android security update that every one supported Android telephones get every month, Google additionally gives particular software program updates that solely apply to its Pixel telephones. Google has simply introduced the fixes it’s bringing to a slew of Pixel gadgets this month, with all Pixel telephones launched since May 2023’s Pixel 7a getting the update.

“We have started to roll out the monthly software update for January 2026,” Pixel Community Manager Kush M posted on a Google assist web page. “All supported Pixel devices running Android 16 will receive these software updates starting today, and the rollout will continue over the next week in phases, depending on carrier and device.”

Fixes for all supported telephones embrace an audio bug brought about noise in Webex calls, and a wallpaper bug the place deleting sure wallpapers might make the telephone unusable till rebooted.

Pleasingly, Google says the update ought to subject a repair for an subject that brought about battery drain on Pixel 8 and later, however the greatest update for these Pixel owners with the most recent telephone is a GPU enhance to the Pixel 10 sequence.

Users have complained of a lack of GPU oomph on Google’s latest telephones, which may have an effect on app efficiency, particularly in graphically intense cellular video games. As imprecise as it’s, Google says the update brings: “General improvements for GPU performance in certain conditions”.

Pixel 10 telephones must also get a repair to a reported flickering downside that affected the always-on show and a bug for Adobe Lightroom app customers who may need been seeing “noisy lines flashing on the screen when editing HDR photos”.

This may appear to be a area of interest repair, nevertheless it goes to show how granular these software program updates can go to make sure all apps and providers are working easily.

Notably, Google stated Pixel 7a and later would get the update, however that could possibly be for Pixel owners within the US solely. Only Pixel 9 and later are slated for this update in EMEA, which is Europe, Middle East and Asia, and this even excludes the Pixel 9a, which got here out final 12 months.

Meanwhile, updates for owners of Pixels in Japan embrace the 9a however exclude the remainder of the Pixel 9 line up.

It factors to the inherent fragmentation of Android. Even when Google makes Android and makes Pixel telephones, it can’t push out blanket updates globally to all appropriate gadgets. This is not like Apple, which may update iPhones globally with the newest iOS model no matter the area.

Apple presently helps iPhones back to and together with 2019’s iPhone 11 with the newest iOS 26. Though Google guarantees seven years of updates with its present crop of Pixel 10 telephones, the firm nonetheless lags behind Apple in terms of consistency of software program updates.