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Google has been manufacturing its own smartphones under the Pixel brand for some time now. These devices are the flagships of the Android operating system, both in terms of hardware and software. As a result, they receive software updates for an extended period of time, receiving new features along the way. Finally, the company has released an update for a model that many believed had been forgotten. Here are the details…

Google’s not done with your old Pixel 4 quite yet

The Pixel 4 and 4 XL, launched by Google in October 2019, were seemingly forgotten due to the end of software support. However, a recent surprise update may revive the Pixel 4. Android expert, Mishaal Rahman, has discovered a new build for the device, which is an experimental build not yet released to the public.

This new build, based on Android 13 QPR1, is part of Google’s Android Privacy Sandbox program, where the company tests new technologies for ad tracking without relying on third-party cookies. The update also includes December 2022 security patches, which some Pixel 5 users are still waiting for.

While this build doesn’t guarantee continued updates for the Pixel 4 and 4 XL, it is an official first-party build of Android, giving Pixel 4 users hope that their devices may not be obsolete just yet. With Google’s renewed commitment to the Pixel line, there may be further updates in the future.

The new build is not available for the Pixel 4 XL as it doesn’t have access to the Privacy Sandbox. The new build for the Pixel 4 is a positive sign for concerned users, as Google only promises three years of Android version upgrades and a year of security patches for its flagship devices, compared to Samsung’s four years of OS updates and an additional year of security patches.

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