Google is preparing to upgrade the kernel version of all Tensor-powered Pixels to Linux 6.1 in Android 15 QPR2.
Google has upgraded the kernel version of all Tensor-powered Pixels in the Android 15 QPR2 Beta 1 release.
The Google Pixel 6 series, Pixel 7 series, Pixel 8 series, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel Fold all join the Pixel 9 series in running Linux 6.1.
Previously, Tensor G1 and G2-powered Pixels were running Linux 5.10 while Tensor G3-powered Pixels were running on Linux 5.15.
Android manufacturers have to put in a lot of behind-the-scenes work to meet the promises they laid out in their phone update policies. One of the biggest hurdles they have to overcome is meeting Google’s updated certification requirements for newer Android releases, but thankfully, Google has programs like Longevity GRF that make it easier for Android devices to get 7 years of updates. One of the requirements that Google changes with each new release of Android is what Linux kernel versions are supported, which means that in order to actually achieve 7 years of updates, manufacturers have to push out major kernel version upgrades from time to time.
