Android 14, the new operating system designed by Google, is already receiving its first security patch. This is the first of many patches that this system will receive throughout its lifespan, aiming to protect users as much as possible from any cyberattacks.
Security patches are quite common in digital devices, and Google has always been actively concerned about ensuring that Android devices in the market maintain the highest security standards. Therefore, phones currently running Android 14 can now benefit from this new security patch.
The Pixel 8, the first beneficiaries
The Pixel 8 phone range, the first in the market with Android 14, will be the devices to enjoy this update in advance. This is because, having pure Android in their system (which makes sense considering the brand is also from Google), they require minimal specific optimization for their models. This way, Pixels usually have the privilege of receiving these patches before the competition.
This also highlights one of the aspects of the Pixel 8 that generated a lot of discussion during its presentation, which is the software support time these devices will have. Unlike other brands, Google has committed to providing 7 years of updates for users, a promise that only Samsung comes close to by offering 4 years for its premium phones.
The fragmented Android ecosystem
Android has always had an endemic problem when it comes to software. Due to the presence of numerous phones from dozens of different brands in the market, it’s often easy to find phones with an operating system much older than what currently exists. This also extends to other devices like tablets, where some users have Android 13 systems while others have Android 4.4 KitKat, an OS from almost a decade ago.
In an ideal ecosystem, all devices would always enjoy the latest updates. However, in such a vast smartphone landscape, this is quite challenging to achieve and, in many cases, not even cost-effective. Therefore, as of today, the best option is to choose new phones with many years of support and services.
