Here’s What Actually Happens When You Don’t Update Your Android Phone

One of the biggest advantages of jumping on the latest software update is the availability of new features and experiences. If it’s the yearly Android OS upgrades like the upcoming Android 13 update, then you get the whole package with a fresh UI design, new customization tools, more refined privacy systems, and, of course, a ton of new features to play with.

If you happen to be rocking one of Google’s Pixel smartphones, then the regular Pixel Feature Drops are worth looking out for. These drops introduce a healthy number of features. For example, the June 2022 feature drop added a pocket operator for Pixel that allows users to shoot videos and turn them into fun clips using sound layers, visual effects, beats, and mixing effects. The update also added a way to add vaccination certificates straight from the home screen alongside a conversation mode in the Sound Amplifier app to assist people with hearing disabilities.

Finally, there are updates rolled out by OEMs for their custom Android skins like Samsung and its OneUI or the OxygenOS experience available on OnePlus phones. These brands follow their own update cadence with unique version numbers, delivering new features, UI changes, and general performance enhancements with each new software build they roll out.