14 DAY TRIAL // Google released its latest smartphones, the Pixel and Pixel XL, last week and has made them available through Verizon, which will be the only US carrier to offer them to customers. After the launch, many have worried that updates to the two smartphones will arrive later at the US carrier.
However, in a recent statement for Ars Technica, Verizon has said that all operating system and security updates for Pixel smartphones will be managed in partnership with Google. This means that Verizon phones will receive the same updates at the same time as Pixel phones bought directly from Google.
Moreover, Google has confirmed that the smartphones sold by Verizon will receive updates at the same time as those sold via its Store.
Pixel and Pixel XL are currently available for pre-order at Verizon, and the US carrier is offering customers a free Daydream View VR headset to pair with their new handset. The two smartphones are offered in three color variants, white, black or blue.
Pixel smartphones will be compatible with Verizon HD Voice and Wi-Fi calling
In addition, Pixel phones bought from the Google Store will be compatible with Verizon HD Voice and Wi-Fi calling. Verizon is also said to be locking down the bootloader of Pixel smartphones sold through its stores and website. This means that users won’t be able to experiment with hardware on the phones, by rooting or flashing custom software.
The two smartphones are expected to arrive in stores on October 20 and Google has already spent millions on marketing the two devices. In addition, the tech giant has released new ads for promoting Pixel and Pixel XL phones.
Google is expected to sell up to 4 million Pixel phones this year, although the number might increase considering that the company will look to take over some of the market share that Samsung has just lost with the announcement of a second Galaxy Note 7 recall.
