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Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL get their very last update

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By Alan Friedman

Published: Dec 08, 2020, 11:12 PM

Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL get their very last update

Arguably, the Pixel 2 XL is the finest Pixel handset ever made. Launched in October 2017 along with the Pixel 2, the Pixel 2 XL hit the market with Android 8 Oreo pre-installed and the series is now powered with Android 11. But that is where the system updates end for the Pixel 2 line. As for the monthly updates, the pair did not receive the November security update last month and instead they received that update today. However, the November security update received today is the end of the line for the second-generation Pixels. Google promised users three annual updates and those have all been completed (Android 8 to Android 9, Android 9 to Android 10, and Android 10 to Android 11). And the promised three years of security updates is now finished as well.

For the first time in months, Google listed in the Security Bulletin functional updates for the Pixels. These include an adjustment to the volume warning threshold in some regions, improved headset connection pairing, improved song information display on some Bluetooth carkits, improved autofocus during video capture, improved front camera response speed, adjustment to display brightness setting, adjusted YouTube setting from mobile data to Wi-Fi, improved application stability, and adjustments to call quality.

The Pixel 2 XL no longer is supported by Google

Yesterday, Pixel 3 and newer models received the quarterly Pixel feature update including Extreme Battery Saver which runs only the essentials to save on battery life. Hold for Me has Google Assistant monitoring your call when you are on hold. When a live person returns to the call, you are reconnected to it. There are other cool features being added to eligible Pixel devices. Unfortunately, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL models will not receive it.

To update your eligible Pixel phone go to Settings > System > Advanced > System update.

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Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.

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