Android 14's release has been delayed to October 4th, coinciding with Google's Pixel 8 announcement, potentially impacting OEMs' smartphone upgrades.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones from Google are expected to have a significant price increase of over $300, which may disappoint customers hoping for an affordable high-end device.
Google has postponed the release of the stable Android 14 update to early October 2023, which will coincide with the launch of the Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, and the Pixel Watch 2 at the Made By Google event. This delay may also affect other smartphone brands, including Samsung and OnePlus, who may have to postpone their respective Android 14 updates.
Google has released Android 14 Beta 5.3 with bug fixes for Pixel devices, indicating that the stable release may be delayed.
Google is set to introduce the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro with a groundbreaking system on chip, advanced camera hardware and software, and five years of Android updates, making it a highly anticipated smartphone release.
Google has released the September update for its Pixel devices running Android 13, which mainly consists of security patches.
Google has ended software support for the non-5G version of the Pixel 4a, meaning it will no longer receive updates and Android 13 will be its final software version.
Google's next major OS upgrade, Android 14, is being delayed until October, with the beta program for Android 14 QPR1 now available and the official debut expected in December as the Pixel Feature Drop.
Google has updated its Google Store site with information on its upcoming flagship smartphones, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, as well as leaked promo videos and photos indicating a possible free Pixel Watch 2 with pre-order of the Pixel 8 Pro.
Google is expected to release Android 14 on October 4th, the same day as the Pixel 8 launch event, according to Telus, with the update coming to a range of Pixel devices.
Pixel 8 leaks ahead of Google's Made by Google event reveal the phone's slim bezels, new "Bay" color, and impressive camera quality, with the potential for further improvements via software updates after launch.
Google has released the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro smartphones along with Android 14, which includes new features such as an AI wallpaper generator and other customization options.
Google has announced that updates for Pixel phones will no longer adhere to a formal schedule, with updates being released whenever they are ready.
Google Pixel has shipped around 40 million phones so far, with sales steadily growing, making it a minor player in the global smartphone market.
Google's Pixel phones, despite facing some issues with bugs and hardware, have seen a rise in sales with nearly 38 million units sold since 2016 and are known for their AI-based features and software advantage.
The Google Pixel 8a is expected to have a rounded design and slightly smaller dimensions compared to its predecessor, the Pixel 7a, with a launch expected around Google I/O in 2024.
Google is reportedly working on a more affordable version of its Pixel 8 smartphone, featuring a similar design with two rear cameras and a hole-punch selfie cam, but it remains to be seen what software features Google might hold back from the Pixel 8A.
The rumored Google Pixel 8a smartphone is expected to be released next year and will feature a redesigned body with rounded corners, slimmer bezels, and a smaller chin, according to leaked renders.
Samsung is considering extending its security update support for its devices beyond the current five years, in response to Google's announcement of seven years of updates for the Pixel 8 series, showcasing Samsung's impressive track record of providing timely security patches to over 150+ Galaxy devices and updating over a billion devices monthly.
Samsung is considering offering more than five years of security updates in response to new regulations, potentially surpassing its current update policies and competing with Google's recent promise of seven years of OS and security updates for Pixel phones.
The biggest hardware upgrade on the Pixel 8 series is Google's new "Actua" displays, which surpasses its competitors in terms of brightness, colors, and panel quality, earning them the top ranking for smartphone displays by DXOMark.
Google Assistant on the Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro has improved device control capabilities and can provide better assistance with system updates and settings, as indicated by banners and notes in the Settings app; it is unclear if these updates will be available for previous Pixel phones.
The release of the Google Pixel 8 and 8 Pro highlights the missed opportunity for Google to wait and improve upon the Pixel Fold, as the latest devices offer significant improvements in issues such as heat problems and chip performance.
Google has improved the charging speeds of the new Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, with the Pixel 8 charging to full in 77 minutes and the 8 Pro in 79 minutes, shaving over 20 minutes off the charge time of their previous generation.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro improves upon its predecessor, addressing previous criticisms and offering upgraded features such as a redesigned camera system, a flat display, and seven years of OS updates, making it a top choice for those in the market for a new phone.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro offers impressive features, including a great camera and seven years of software support, but its price increase and some drawbacks prevent it from being a standout choice among high-end smartphones.
Google's Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones charge faster and maintain a higher rate of charge for a longer portion of the charging cycle compared to their predecessors, with the smaller Pixel 8 fully charging in 77 minutes and the Pixel 8 Pro in 79 minutes.
Google's latest Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro smartphones justify their $100 price increase with significant improvements in display brightness, battery life, and extended software support.
Android 14 QPR1 Beta 2.1 is being released with bug fixes, but the Pixel 8 and 8 Pro will not be updated immediately.
