With the news that the latest Google Pixel update is rolling out – but that it’s a lot smaller and less consequential than we might be accustomed to – we thought now would be the ideal time to clarify Google’s plans.
Back in December of 2019, Google announced its first-ever Pixel Drop, adding Duo calls and automatic call screening, among other things.
“Pixel phones have always received monthly updates to improve performance and make your device safe,” Google said at the time. “Now, feature drops will bring more helpful and fun features to users on a regular basis to continue to make your Pixel better than ever.”
Google soon settled into a rhythm of delivering these updates, each containing major feature drops, every three months as opposed to the yearly feature splurge that accompanied every new Android version.
In October 2023, however, alongside the launch of the Google Pixel 8 and its seven-year software support initiative, Google announced that it was stepping away from this formal quarterly update schedule, stating that it would no longer roll out on a specific day each month. “Instead, we’ll deploy updates as soon as they’ve completed the necessary tests”.
If anything, Google increased the rate of its Pixel Drops through 2024 and 2025, albeit in an irregular fashion. For a time there, we seemed to be getting new Android features on our Pixel phones every month or so.
When is the next Pixel Drop?
The next Pixel Drop is likely coming in March 2026. We suspect this because Google released the Android 16 QPR3 Beta 1 for developers in December, the same month as it rolled out its last big Pixel Drop.
At the time, it indicated its intention to make the final stable version available to all eligible Pixel users according to the existing quarterly schedule. Also, Google’s current official line (such as it is) is that it offers Pixel Drops “every few months”.
With January’s update lacking any new features, we appear to be back in the realms of the quarterly feature rollout for Pixel phones – for now, at least.
What will the March Pixel Drop include?
It’s already been revealed that the March Pixel Drop will include several new features.
These include the option of a Samsung-style virtual home button arrangement, an adjustable flashlight, the ability to remove the At a Glance widget, a new location sharing indicator, a new folder animation, and some much-needed GPU upgrades for the Pixel 10.
Expect more features to be added as we get closer to the full rollout in March. The company will likely release two or three more beta versions before then, each adding new features.
