In Google’s case, it looks like this month will be when the Pixel 3 will be officially no longer receiving further software updates. This doesn’t mean that you can no longer use the phone, but rather if you want to use it, keep in mind that the lack of software updates means no more new features or improvements.
Whether or not 3 years is fair for customers is up for debate as some who might upgrade every 2-3 years, it’s not an issue, but for those who hold onto their devices for longer, it might be a problem. However, it appears that as far as Google is concerned, it is a non-issue, according to a statement they made to 9to5Google.
According to Google, “We find that three years of security and OS updates still provides users with a great experience for their device.” The good news is that moving forwards with the Pixel 6, Google is expected to offer at least 5 years of support, so for those still holding onto Google’s older devices, maybe it’s time to consider upgrading.