Your Pixel phone could get a big under-the-hood upgrade this year

Every once in a while, Google upgrades the Linux kernel powering Pixel devices to a newer version. Such updates rarely introduce major new features, but they typically improve system stability, security, and performance. Google is now seemingly preparing another major kernel update for its current crop of Pixel devices.

In a Telegram post, leaker Mystic Leaks claims Google is preparing a major Linux kernel upgrade for its recent Pixel phones. According to the leak, the Pixel 7, Pixel 8, and Pixel 9 series will move from 6.1-android14 to 6.12-android16, while the Pixel 10 lineup will jump from 6.6-android15 to 6.12-android16.

The Linux 6.12 kernel includes numerous fixes and improvements, including enhancements to CPU scheduling, memory management, storage, and filesystem performance.

A kernel upgrade will improve your Pixel's performance and stability

The storage and filesystem changes should help improve app installation and launch times, while the newer kernel could also make your Pixel run faster, smoother, and cooler. Plus, you may notice small performance gains in daily use, though don't expect anything dramatic. Maybe the company will also use the kernel upgrade to finally fix the Pixel 10's woeful GPU performance.

The last such kernel upgrade for Pixel phones arrived with Android 15 QPR2 in 2024. Given the timing of the leak, we could see the new kernel land with Android 17 QPR2 towards the end of the year. It's still too early to tell, though, and Google may push back the upgrade if it runs into any issues during testing.

Google rarely talks about such kernel upgrades, so don't expect it to officially highlight this change even in Android 17's QPR2 release notes.

Unfortunately, the Pixel 6 will apparently miss out on the kernel upgrade, as it will reach the end of its support period in October 2026.

Most Android manufacturers rarely upgrade the Linux kernel on their devices, with Google being the only exception. Such upgrades help the company to roll out important security patches and bug fixes to Pixel devices more quickly, as it doesn't have to backport the changes to older kernel versions. Plus, it should make it easier for Google to support multiple Pixel devices by reducing the need to support multiple kernel branches.