# Android 15 is Launched, and It’s the Final Update for the Pixel 6
The Google Pixel 6, a device that symbolized a major evolution in Google’s smartphone range, has hit the conclusion of its Android OS update path. With the unveiling of **Android 15**, both the Pixel 6 and its counterpart, the Pixel 6 Pro, will cease to receive significant Android version updates. Although the phones will still get security patches for an additional two years, Android 15 represents the last major software enhancement for these transformative devices.
## The Importance of the Pixel 6
When the Pixel 6 was introduced in 2021, it marked a crucial development for Google. This phone showcased the company’s inaugural in-house **Tensor processor**, a daring step that indicated Google’s desire to gain greater control over its hardware and software integration. The Pixel 6 also launched a fresh design aesthetic that has since become emblematic of the Pixel brand, boasting the memorable horizontal camera bar and a sophisticated, premium appearance.
Beyond its design and hardware advancements, the Pixel 6 was the first Google smartphone to promise **five years of software support**. However, this assurance came with conditions: only three years of Android OS updates were guaranteed, followed by two years dedicated to security updates. Now that Android 15 is being rolled out, Pixel 6 owners must choose whether to continue with their aging smartphone or transition to a newer version.
## Is It Time to Upgrade?
As Android 15 signifies the conclusion of major updates for the Pixel 6, many users are contemplating whether it’s time for an upgrade. The decision hinges on personal needs and preferences, but here are several important aspects to weigh:
### Reasons to Upgrade from Your Pixel 6
1. **Enhanced Hardware Choices**: The newly launched **Pixel 9** series showcases significant hardware advancements compared to the Pixel 6. A standout feature is the introduction of a more compact **Pixel 9 Pro**, which maintains the high-end characteristics of the larger **Pixel 9 Pro XL**. This option is unprecedented for Google, providing users with greater versatility in selecting a device that accommodates their hand size while upholding performance.
2. **Superior Display and Toughness**: Google has designed its latest Pixel models with flatter displays, making them easier to protect with tempered glass screen protectors. While the Pixel 6’s curved glass was visually appealing, it was more susceptible to damage and challenging to safeguard.
3. **Extended Software Support Duration**: The Pixel 9 series comes with **seven years of assured software updates**, allowing users to relax about upgrading for a significant period. Conversely, the Pixel 6 will no longer receive major updates following Android 15, with security updates concluding in 2025.
4. **Enhanced Fingerprint Scanner**: One recurring issue with the Pixel 6 was its inadequate fingerprint scanner. Although Google improved it via software updates, it never achieved the level of reliability found in other flagship devices. The Pixel 9 series features a markedly superior fingerprint scanner, with the **Pixel 9** employing an **ultrasonic sensor** for quicker and more precise readings.
### Reasons You Might Choose to Wait
While the Pixel 9 series brings many advancements, there are also persuasive reasons to delay an upgrade, particularly if your Pixel 6 is still performing well.
1. **Tensor G4 Performance**: The **Tensor G4** processor in the Pixel 9 has faced criticism for delivering only slight enhancements over its predecessor, the **Tensor G3**. Some benchmarks reveal that the Tensor G4 may even be outpaced by the **Snapdragon 8 Gen 1** processor found in the **Samsung Galaxy S22**, launched in early 2022. If performance ranks high on your priority list, you might consider waiting for the anticipated **Tensor G5**, likely debuting with the **Pixel 10**.
2. **Increased Pricing**: Google has increased the prices of its Pixel models in the last two years. The Pixel 9 series carries a price tag that’s $100 higher than the Pixel 8, which itself saw a $100 price rise over the Pixel 7. Given that the performance upgrades are relatively minor, some users may struggle to rationalize the elevated price.
3. **Charging and Battery Efficiency**: Even though the Pixel 9 supports quicker charging compared to the Pixel 6, it remains behind competitors like the **OnePlus 12**, which charges from 0 to 100% in merely 30 minutes. For those who often forget to charge their devices, this could pose a disadvantage.
4. **Design Preferences**: The Pixel 9 series has embraced a flatter design with entirely flat side rails, which some users may find less comfortable to grip when contrasted with the rounded edges of
