Both the Pixel 3 and the Pixel 3 XL will receive one final update from Google in the first quarter of 2022. Google’s phasing out of the Pixel 3 and 3 XL has been a steady process, with sales of both models being halted back in 2020. They’ve also since passed by their final guaranteed updates date of October 2021. However, according to Android Police, the Pixel 3 and 3XL will get one last “sunset” update in early 2022. It’s expected that the extra few months (from October 2021 to early 2022) will give Google more time to deal with as many software issues as it can. The update is meant to act as a patch for various bugs and possible security vulnerabilities, with additional security exploits of other Pixel models also being included. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL were included in Google’s recent rollout of Android 12, so despite being phased out, they still can offer a fairly up-to-date Android experience. If you use either model you should be able to continue to do so without much issue. Both models have been left off of the list of eligible Android 12L devices, however. Fortunately, the following generation, the Pixels 3a and 3a XL, will support Android 12L, Google assured Lifewire in an e-mail, stating “The documentation is currently getting updated to include them.” A specific date for the rollout of the final Pixel 3 and 3 XL update is still unknown. All we do know is it’s planned for Q1 2022. After that, they’re on their own.
