January update for Pixel devices
Pixel devices can expect a new update from now on. It is security update January 2026 that is now being made available. However, the new update does not just bring security improvements, according to information shared. In fact, Google is also providing the phones with endurance improvements. According to Google, Pixel devices will last longer after installing the January update. This applies to the Pixel 8 models and newer. Remarkable, as with last month's update, the brand also promised improvements for battery life.
For the Google Pixel 10 models, there are several improvements for the screen and graphics. Google talks about "general improvements for GPU performance under certain conditions". There is also a fix for Adobe Lightroom, which was "showing flashy, noisy lines on the screen" while editing HDR photos.
For the Pixel 10 series, there is also a fix for the flickering of the always-on display. An issue where the touchscreen was not always responsive has further been addressed. We have put down the changelog of the update below;
Changelog
Audio
- Resolved annoying ringer sounds during Webex calls under certain conditions*[1].
Battery and charging
- Resolved the issue of battery drain under certain conditions*[2]
Display and graphics
- Resolved the problem of AOD flickering under certain conditions*[3]
- Resolved the issue of annoying lines flashing on the screen while editing HDR photos in the Adobe Lightroom app under certain conditions*[3]
- General improvements for GPU performance under certain conditions*[3]
Touch
- Solution to the problem of the touchscreen randomly stopping working under certain conditions*[3]
User interface
- Resolved an issue where deleting a Live Universe background could sometimes cause the 'Backgrounds and Styles' app to become unusable until the device was restarted*[1]
The update is being rolled out for the Pixel 7a and newer. This means the update will not be rolled out for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series. An update has been skipped before. The update period is not over yet, as that series gets five-year updates. This would mean the smartphones will still be kept up to October 2026. Why the phone series is now skipping updates is not known.
