RIP Pixel 2 — Google rolls out its final update for the phone

By Joe Maring
published

Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL
Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL (Image credit: Android Central)

What you need to know

  • Google is now rolling out its December 2020 security patch for Android.
  • As per usual, it contains an assortment of bug/vulnerability fixes.
  • This also marks the final update Google is releasing for the Pixel 2.

We finally did it — we almost made it through 2020. There's just one more month left to go, and to kick things off, we have yet another security patch from Google.

The December 2020 patch began rolling out on December 7 alongside a new Pixel Feature Drop, and as far as security patches go, it's pretty basic. There's an assortment of framework, media framework, system, and other bug fixes across the board, ensuring your Android device is running as smoothly and securely as possible.

Pixels are first-in-line to get the new patch, though Verizon models will have to wait a bit longer. If you have a Pixel 3/3XL, 4a 5G, or Pixel 5, the patch won't hit your device until the week of December 14. Yay for carrier models!

Something else that's worth noting is that this marks the final update Google is rolling out for the Pixel 2. The phone wasn't updated at all last month, but today it's going to start receiving the delayed November 2020 patch. If you still have a Pixel 2 and download that November patch, that'll be the final update you get from Google.

The Pixel 2 certainly stands out as one of the more controversial Pixel releases for Google, largely due to the many display issues around the Pixel 2 XL. While a lot of people remember the phone for its faults, the Pixel 2 is also where we were introduced to features like Now Playing, Active Edge, and an always-on display.

We've since moved on to bigger and better Pixels, but it is a bit sad to finally close the book on the Pixel 2. It was a long and complicated road, but it's one a lot of us surely won't forget any time soon. RIP, old friend 👋.

Joe Maring
Joe Maring

Joe Maring was a Senior Editor for Android Central between 2017 and 2021. You can reach him on Twitter at @JoeMaring1.

10 Comments
  • My Pixel 2 has been great for the last 3 years, but I took Google's $235 trade-in offer to get a Pixel 4a5G. Don't miss the smaller slower beat up Pixel 2 at all.
  • My last update was October?
  • Same here. Oct 5 was last, and 'Regular updates have ended for his device,' after that.
  • I've handed it down to my kids for a media device. It's been a brilliant phone, and the camera is still amazing.
  • Double that. Camera still outperforms many 2020 phones!
  • Where is the "roll out" of this update? It's not listed in the Factory Images or OTA listings. On multiple devices, they all say the final update was October.
  • Verizon delay happens on non-carrier Pixels too. Have have an unlocked 5 I got from Best Buy and I also have to wait a week. Sucks.
  • Ugg replied to wrong post. And the 2XL has not gotten the December update yet. You guys need to remove this post. Other sites like AP have confirmed with Google the final 2XL patch has not been released yet.
  • Just received my Pixel 4a 5g last week, and I'm loving it so far. I traded my Pixel 2 XL in for the $50 credit from Fi. The 2 XL was awesome, and had a great run. Here's to many years with my Pixel 4a 5g.
  • Had a Pixel 2, the worst phone I ever owned.