Tensor-powered Pixel phones will be receiving an upgraded kernel that matches what the Pixel 9 series is running.
The core component of an operating system is called the kernel and it is the liaison between the software and the hardware. With the recently released update to Android 15 QPR2 beta 1, Google has included an update to the kernel of all Tensor-powered Pixel devices. This includes the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, Pixel 7 Pro, Pixel 7a, Pixel 8, Pixel 8 Pro, Pixel 8a, Pixel Fold, and the Pixel Tablet which will join the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro XL and Pixel 9 Pro Fold in running Linux 6.1.
Previously, devices powered by the Tensor G1 and G2 were using Linux 5.10. Pixel phones and tablets sporting the Tensor G3 were running Linux 5.15. Google changes which Linux versions are supported every time a new version of Android is released. With seven years of Android upgrades now available to new Pixel buyers, Google has to deliver major kernel upgrades every so often.
