Google Pixel update: Pixel 2, 3, 3a, and 4 get new features and security improvements with March update!

Unlike the likes of Samsung, LG, or Sony, Google hasn’t been around the block very long. The company has always been a class apart in the software department, but the competition is more fierce when we consider the hardware aspect of it. Still, against all odds, the tech giant has prevailed and is now, undoubtedly, one of the best smartphone manufacturers in the business.

After the grand success of Pixel, Pixel 2, Pixel 3, and 3a, Google has refreshed its famed Pixel lineup with the Pixel 4 duo — the regular Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. The fundamentals haven’t changed, the latest Pixel has done its predecessors proud in almost every conceivable aspect. The camera finally has two lenses, the display has been bumped up to 90Hz, and there’s now a miniature radar on-board to facilitate seamless Face Unlock.

In this piece, however, we won’t only be looking at the latest flagship from Google, but also keep you posted about all the devices that preceded the Pixel 4 duo. So, without further ado, let’s get to it.

Latest news

March 04, 2020: Days after the global units received the update, Pixel 4 units locked to T-Mobile have started getting (via Reddit) the March 2020 security update with the new features.

March 3, 2020: Google has pulled latest update (via 9to5Google) that it made available for the AT&T models of the Pixel 4 and neither Google nor AT&T have provided reasons for the same.

March 2, 2020: As is the case for every start of the month, Google is releasing the March 2020 update for the Pixel 2/XL, Pixel 3/XL, Pixel 3a/XL, and Pixel 4/XL devices across the globe. In addition to the March 2020 Android security, the latest update brings several new features including Cards & Passes, boarding pass on Google Pay, Dark theme scheduling, Rules for automation, Emojis 12.1, new Duo AR Effects, and improvements to Adaptive Brightness.

Pixel 4 users will separately receive long-press improvements, Car crash detection in Australia and the UK, better selfies, and pause with Motion Sense.

January 06, 2019: Google Pixel devices on Verizon have started receiving the January 2020 security patch. As expected, the original Pixel is not getting the update, as it has run its course. But the remaining four families — Pixel 2, Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, and Pixel 4 — are marching on.

The latest update for the Pixel devices doesn’t pack any new features and only installs the latest security patch — January 2020. The Pixel 2, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3a pairs are getting the update as software version QQ1A.200105.002, while the Pixel 4 and 4 XL are getting it as QQ1B.191205.012.A1.

December 09, 2019: Google Pixel devices are renowned for their superfast security updates and, of course, yearly Android rollouts. The company, however, refuses to rest on its laurels, risking other companies to pull one over. And to remedy that, Google has decided to bring monthly feature enhancements to the Pixel lineup. Dubbed as Feature Drop, Google will bundle 2 or 3 features each month as an update and release them to supported Pixel devices.

The first Feature Drop update is bringing Portrait Blur, improved Call Screening feature, and easier Google Duo calls. Check out Google’s blog post for more details.

December 03, 2019: The first week of December is set to be an exciting one for Pixel 2, Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, and Pixel 4 users, as all four families are getting sizable software updates.

First up, Pixel 2 is getting software version QQ1A.191205.008, which brings the highly anticipated Pixel Wallet fix and the December 2019 security patch.

Pixel 3/XL and Pixel 3a/XL get software versions QQ1A.191205.008 and QQ1A.191205.011, respectively, which fix bugs related to Bluetooth pairing information and Pixel Wallet while also delivering the December 2019 security patch.

Finally, the Pixel 4 duo is set to receive the most significant update of the lot, full of notable bug fixes. The December update, which carries software version QQ1B.191205.011, fixes a bunch of annoying issues, such as static noise in Spotify, static background noise in third-party camera apps, lost Bluetooth pairing information, pairing with Garmin devices, display flickering, misaligned device orientation, and erroneous Pixel Wallet display. The OTA has also added Dark mode support in the bootloader and improved haptic feedback.

November 11, 2019: Last year, Pixel 3 took the market by storm with its camera setup, delivering unmatched results despite using only a single lens. This year, Google has revamped the setup with the addition of a telephoto lens, and the end result is as stunning as we’d expected.

If that wasn’t all, Google has also gone on to make the camera app more useful than ever. Yes, your beloved Pixel 4 can now scan documents, translate, and copy text straight from the camera UI itself. All you have to do is point to a document, and Google Lens would fire up the document scanner for your convenience.

November 11, 2019: As we all know, Google introduced Astrophotography with the Pixel 4 lineup, and, so far, it’s been fetching commendable results. To take it a notch higher, the company has added a special filter in Google Photos, called Astro filter, which further enhances your beloved Astrophotography captures. To use it, open any of your Astro shots in Google Photos and look for the Astro filter. It should be between ‘Auto’ and ‘West’.

November 09, 2019: One of the largest telecom companies in the United States, T-Mobile, has started rolling out the November 2019 security patch for the Pixel 4 devices. The company’s official page hasn’t confirmed the update yet, so, we don’t have the exact software version for the same.

November 08, 2019: American tech giant Google has started rolling out a small yet useful software update to the Pixel lineup. This feature, which, so far, seems to be available for the Pixel 4 and Pixel 3, introduces a feature called “Vibrate first then ring gradually.” As the name indicates, it enables your Pixel device to vibrate first and then cue in the audible ringer. To access this setting, go to Settings > Sound > Vibrate for calls.

November 06, 2019: Google is extremely reliable when it comes to keeping promises, and the American tech giant has delivered, once again. As confirmed earlier, Google has started rolling out most of Pixel 4 camera features to the Older Pixel devices. The update — Google Camera 7.2 — brings the highly-anticipated Astrophotography to Pixel 3/3a, dual adjustment sliders for exposure and zoom; allows viewing of image ratio settings in the main camera UI,  Social Share, improved viewfinder settings, and more. You can download(update) the app now from Google Play on your Pixel 3a, Pixel 3, or Pixel 2.

November 04, 2019: Google has started rolling out a software update for the newly released Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, aiming to improve 90Hz support.

The American tech giant found itself amidst controversy when it was discovered that the highly-advertised ‘Smooth Display (90Hz)’ drops to regular 60Hz when the brightness level dips below 75%.

With this update, Google has fixed the annoying issue by setting Pixel 4 XL’s default refresh rate at 90Hz. The regular Pixel 4, on the other hand, isn’t getting 90Hz as its default refresh rate, but will now be able to enjoy 90Hz as long as the brightness level stays above 42%.

The update, which also brings the November 2019 security patch, carries software version  QD1A.190821.014. Unspecified camera improvements and support for Xbox BT controller mapping have also been included.

November 04, 2019: Google has rolled out Dual Sim Dual Standby support for the Pixel 4 duo on Google Fi. Users can now capitalize on the build-in Google Fi e-SIM and make calls. RCS support has also been enabled for Pixel 4 users on Google Fi.

quick update – we rolled out DSDS support for Pixel 4. Pixel 4, Fi users should have RCS support now.

— Sanaz (@sanazahari) November 4, 2019

November 04, 2019: Google is rolling out software updates to the Pixel 2, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3a devices. The update for Pixel 2/XL, which is dubbed as QP1A.191105.004, improves Google Assistant hotword reception, adds support for Xbox BT controller mapping, and brings the November 2019 security patch.

Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a devices get the same software version — QP1A.191105.003 but get different features/enhancements. Both Pixel 3 devices are receiving bootloop fixes alongside all the features released for Pixel 2/XL, but the regular Pixel 3 is also getting improved bottom speaker output.

Pixel 3a and 3a XL get bootloop fix and Xbox controller mapping alongside the November 2019 security patch.

November 04, 2019: Besides Pixel 4, Verizon has released the November 2019 security patch for the Pixel 2, Pixel 3, and Pixel 3a. Pixel 2 devices get software version QP1A.191105.004, while the Pixel 3 and 3a both get QP1A.191105.003.

November 04, 2019: Verizon has started rolling out a software update for the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. Carrying software version QD1A.190821.014.C2, the OTA brings the November 2019 security patch to the 2019 Google flagship duo.

Google Pixel 4/XL Update Timeline

Google Pixel 3/XL Update Timeline

Google Pixel 3a/XL Update Timeline

Pixel 2/XL Update Timeline

Pixel/XL Update Timeline

That’s all.