Google announced its Pixel smartphones earlier this month. The new handsets are being sold unlocked and off-contract as you would expect but they are also available on Verizon exclusively in the United States. The Pixel handsets are similar to their Nexus predecessors in that they will receive software updates directly from Google. What about the units on Verizon? It was confirmed that Big Red would manage the system updates for those Pixel handsets and there was a fear that the carrier might delay updates as carriers normally do. Verizon has now said that it won’t do that with the Pixel.
One of the main reasons why Nexus devices were so popular with a certain niche was because software updates always arrived on those devices first. OEMs and carriers tend to delay updates as they make their own tweaks and run their tests. A delay of more than a couple of months is normal so Pixel owners on Verizon would certainly have been curious about the update situation on Big Red.
Verizon has clarified today that it’s not going to delay major updates for Pixel smartphones. In an official statement, the carrier says that Pixel smartphones on Verizon will get system updates “at the same time as Google.” This should put to bed any concerns about Verizon delaying updates for the Pixel.
Whether or not that happens remains to be seen. Verizon is notorious for delaying updates even more so than its rivals so its customers will be skeptical. We’ll only come to know when system updates start going out for the Pixel once they are released.
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