How many software updates will the Pixel 8a get?

The Google Pixel 8a is the company’s latest budget player in an ever-competitive mid-range segment. It adopts the aesthetics of its pricier Pixel 8 series siblings but makes several sacrifices to its spec sheet to keep its price down. Thankfully, one of those sacrifices doesn’t affect the phone’s software support. So, how many software updates will the Pixel 8a receive?

How many Android updates will the Pixel 8a get?

Like the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, the Pixel 8a will receive seven years of Android upgrades from the date of availability on the Google Store. The phone launched with Android 14, with Android 15 expected around October 2024. This means that the last OS update the phone will get will be Android 21 when it launches in 2031. That’s impressive support for a mid-range phone and is unmatched by its contemporaries at this price range. It even eclipses most of the very best Android phones around.

Notably, this also means that the Pixel 8a will receive seven years of security upgrades, at least through 2031.

As for significant features, Pixel 8a owners will also receive seven years of Pixel Feature Drops. These Pixel-exclusive feature packs roll out every few months, but you can expect around four annually.

How does this compare to the Pixel 7a?

On paper, the Pixel 8a significantly upgrades its display, chipset, and AI features compared to the Pixel 7a ($477 at Amazon). It also gains several years of additional support over its predecessor. The Pixel 7a will only receive three Android OS upgrades, with five years of security upgrades running alongside. This means Google’s previous mid-ranger will only receive Android 16 and will be supported until 2028.

Looking beyond Google’s stable, the Samsung Galaxy A54 5G ($449.99 at Samsung) comes closest, with five years of security upgrades and four Android version upgrades. As a result, Samsung’s mid-ranger will receive at least Android 17, and it should be supported until 2028.

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