If you are the proud owner of a Google Pixel smartphone, you need to get the brand new April update for your device (RQ2A.210405.005) now. Not only will you benefit from some bug fixes and quality updates, but you’ll also see a pretty good performance boost if you’re using a Pixel 4a (5G) or a Pixel 5.
When Android 11 fell behind last September, some reviewers noted that their newer Pixel devices seemed to be experiencing a performance dip. How HotHardware wrote at the time:
“In the 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme test for the Pixel 4 XL with Android 11, we see a performance drop of around 9 percent in the overall benchmark (compared to Android 10), which is made up of 5 percent and 18 percent drops in the graphics – and physics components. The Pixel 4a fared even worse, with its overall score dropping a whopping 33 percent. Also note the significant drop in Pixel 4 XL Physics performance metrics, as well as the degradation in Pixel 4a graphics performance. “
Compare this Doom-and-Gloom with early benchmarks to the April update, which I think should be installed as soon as possible if you’re using an affected device. As Andreas Proschofsky from Der Standard writes:
G / O Media can receive a commission
The full list of changes made by Google for the April update can be found here Hereand you will find all of the security issues that are patched with the update Here.
As always, updating your pixel is an incredibly easy process. Just visit Settings> System> Advanced and tap System update to get started.
However, you may have to wait a bit if you’re a Verizon subscriber, it seems factory and OTA April update images are available for every carrier except Big Red. No word on why or how long it will take for the update to show up there, but keep checking your Pixel for the new update. It will be worth it.
