Google Pixel October security update fixes memory drain in UI & bootloop bugs, Verizon lineup gets it as well

It isn’t every day that you’ll read about Samsung devices receiving software updates ahead of Google Pixels. But it did happen with the latest October 2019 security updates.

Samsung Galaxy A50 October security update first popped up on the last day of last month. Since then, we have seen the same October firmware go live for several other Samsung devices including Galaxy A30, J2 Core, S10 5G, A20e, Note 9, Tab S4, Galaxy J4+ and Galaxy J8.

While this was happening, Google was sticking to its golden rule of releasing monthly security updates on the first Monday of every month. Regardless of the reason, the fact that several Samsung devices have already received the latest patches at such a time deserves a round of applause.

On Google’s part, it can’t be stressed enough how great the search giant is doing with respect to keeping the original Google Pixels sane, safe and secure. To be honest, not many expected the duo to receive Android 10 officially, but Google even went ahead and included them in the beta program.

Today, the duo is riding high alongside the newest kids on the block, Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3a. The latter pair started receiving the latest October 2019 security update yesterday and so did the OG Pixels and their immediate successors, the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.

Unlike other carrier-locked Android smartphones that usually have to wait for days or even weeks to receive new software updates compared to their unlocked counterparts, the latest October security update is also available for Verizon variants of all Pixel generations.

Below is the software version that each Pixel device is receiving as part of the October security update:

– Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL: QP1A.191005.007
– Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL: QP1A.191005.007
– Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL: QP1A.191005.007.A1
– Google Pixel and Pixel XL: QP1A.191005.007.A1

The new October security update improves Wi-Fi stability, sensor calibration, gesture navigation stability, and general system stability; fixes issues with missing notifications in Pixel Stand mode, bootloop in certain device locale modes, missing heads-up notifications, and memory drain in UI.

Some users are receiving rather small OTA updates weighing in at below 10MB, which is pretty strange considering the bug fixes and performance improvements the new update brings to the Pixels.

OTA updates may take some time before all units receive the download notification, but it shouldn’t be long before your Pixel phone gets the new October security update, so stay calm.

Google will be expanding the Pixel phones’ count next week with the launch of the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. You can check out more about these devices and more Google-related stories here.

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