The Android 15 replace for Pixel telephones will not roll out subsequent month

This 12 months has been a bit uncommon for Google’s {hardware} division. Not solely did it considerably transfer its launch timeline ahead however it additionally launched 4, as an alternative of two, new telephones in its newest Pixel lineup. As a result of the Google Pixel 9 collection launched a full two months sooner than regular, the Pixel staff couldn’t ship them with this 12 months’s Android 15 launch because it wasn’t prepared but. Actually, the Android 15 replace for Pixel telephones nonetheless isn’t prepared, and I’m instructed that Google won’t even roll it out subsequent month both.

Traditionally, Google has rolled out main Android model updates for its Pixel units at (or round) the identical time it has launched the supply code. That is even if, inside Google, the Pixel {hardware} staff has traditionally been separate from the staff chargeable for AOSP, a separation that not exists as of this 12 months. Right here’s a desk that compares when Google launched the supply code for a brand new Android model to when it rolled out the corresponding replace to its Pixel units.

Except Android 12, Google has rolled out OTA updates for its Pixel units on the identical day because the supply code for each main Android launch. This was additionally the case for each older Android launch, although I didn’t hassle to incorporate them on this chart. Nonetheless, since Android 12’s launch, there’s not a assure that the Pixel OTA replace and Android supply code drop will occur on the identical day, and there’s a superb cause for that.

Though Pixel units have at all times been supposed for shoppers, they’re additionally reference units for Android platform builders, in order that they’re regularly used to check and develop new Android releases. Testing and deploying updates is a difficult course of, although, which is why the Pixel staff not ensures that they’ll at all times launch an replace on the identical day that the supply code has been uploaded, even for month-to-month safety updates. The Pixel staff now repeatedly withholds updates till they’re able to roll them out, which supplies them extra time to finalize advertising for Pixel Characteristic Drops, take a look at modifications, or iron out any last-minute bugs.

The Android 15 replace is seemingly being withheld to enhance its stability. In keeping with a supply, Google at present plans to roll out the Android 15 replace for Pixel telephones someday in October, presumably even in the course of the month. That’s important as a result of Google plans to launch the supply code for Android 15 subsequent week, which means there is perhaps a niche of 30 days or much more between the supply code drop and the Pixel OTA replace.

Once I reached out to Google for remark, a spokesperson previous me that it had nothing to share. It’s potential that the discharge date may change, however I’m pretty assured that the knowledge I used to be given is, on the very least, not outdated. If Google certainly plans to roll out the Android 15 replace in October, then I hope it’s extremely secure because the final beta replace has already been out for practically two weeks at this level.

The Android 15 secure replace will likely be accessible for the next Google Pixel units:

The Android 15 QPR1 beta program has already kicked off as of final week, giving us an early have a look at what to anticipate within the December 2024 Pixel Drop.