Older Pixel phones are getting a performance boost

Is your older Pixel phone suddenly feeling faster? If it does, you’re not alone. As part of the March 2025 update, Google has updated the kernel on older Pixel phones. This bumps the kernel on devices like the Pixel 6, 7, 8, the Pixel Tablet, and the original Pixel Fold up to the same version as the Pixel 9 series.

If you don’t really get what’s going on, basically these changes take place under the hood, however, there are some real-world benefits. According to some users with older Pixel devices, the update to the kernel has resulted in their phones feeling a lot smoother and more responsive. Some users are also seeing an increase in battery life.

However, don’t expect this to be a huge change. Your Pixel 6 won’t suddenly feel like the Pixel 9 in terms of performance. However, it should feel snappier and more responsive. Hardware degrades over time the more we use it. Combined it with the heat generated during use and charging, components do experience wear and tear. That and inefficient file storage can result in a phone feeling slow and sluggish over the years.

However, this kernel update should fix some of those issues, so if you don’t plan on upgrading your Pixel phone anytime soon, hopefully this change will make your phone feel slightly newer again.