Verizon says it will update Pixel phones alongside unlocked versions
The announcement of the Pixel phones was met with some resistance in the tech community because of Google’s carrier-exclusive partner. Verizon is not known for speedy updates and in fact, studies have proven it is the slowest carrier to issue updates across all devices, no matter the manufacturer. Because of that history, people weren’t happy with the announcement since Nexus phones were a paragon of how updates should be handled in the Android ecosystem.
Now Verizon has reached out to Ars Technica to clear up some of the confusion surrounding its carrier partnership with Google. A spokesperson confirmed that the Verizon versions of the phone are unlocked and can be used on any carrier and when Google releases an update for the phones, the Verizon versions will receive that same update alongside the unlocked versions. Additionally, only three Verizon apps will be installed on the phones, including Go90, My Verizon, and Verizon Messages. All three can be easily uninstalled.
Verizon will not stand in the way of any major updates and users will get all updates at the same time as Google.
But don’t take just Verizon’s word for it. Google echoed the same sentiment when Ars reached out. All OS updates and monthly security patches for the Pixel phone, regardless of Verizon being the carrier, will receive their updates simultaneously.