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Pixel 9a could be Google’s only smartphone to launch with Android 15

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2 months ago

November 2, 2024

Pixel 9a could be Google's only smartphone to launch with Android 15

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Google officially announced earlier this week that the upcoming major version of Android will be released earlier than planned. The updated schedule places the stable release of Android 16 between April and June 2025, confirming earlier rumors. In conclusion, Google clarified in a post on the Android Developers Blog that the new release window should align with the times when new Android handsets are introduced.

Theoretically, this should allow OEMs to ship new smartphones with the latest version of Android. However, there is no guarantee that this will occur of course. To that end, recent rumours about the Pixel 9a suggest that it will fall short in this regard. Specifically, the Pixel 9a is anticipated to arrive in March 2025.

Thus, Google’s next mid-range release will follow in the footsteps of the Pixel 9 (curr. $799 on Amazon), which missed out on Android 15 by about two months. Incidentally, it would seem that the Pixel 9a will be the company’s only smartphone to launch with Android 15, contrary to previous generations. For reference, the Pixel 9 series arrived running Android 14 like its predecessors. By contrast, Google’s next flagships should start life running Android 16 instead.

Google’s latest Android roadmap does not align with the Pixel 9a’s upcoming release.