What you need to know
- Google is updating the Linux kernel version of older Pixel devices with the March 2025 security patch.
- The Google Pixel 6, Pixel 7, and Pixel 8 series are now using the 6.1.x version as of the latest update.
- This move was previously reported back in January 2024 and is now being implemented.
Google released the March Feature Drop and the March 2025 security patch for eligible Pixel phones this week. The update includes a subtle change aimed at improving the performance of older Pixels. A Reddit user noticed that devices with older Tensor processors now have an updated Linux kernel version to 6.1.x (via Android Authority). Previously, phones with Tensor G3 chipsets and older were running on the older version 5.10.x of the Linux kernel.
This small tweak could lead to significant benefits for users of Pixel 6, Pixel 7, or Pixel 8 series devices in their day-to-day use. While the latest Google Pixel 9 series already had the 6.1.x version of the Linux kernel, this is the first time the newer version has been included in a stable update for older devices. Users are noticing the difference after applying the March 2025 update.
Users are reporting increased responsiveness and improved battery life since the March update. While it’s not confirmed if these enhancements are directly due to the kernel update, it’s a positive development for owners of older Pixel phones.
Additionally, a Reddit user mentioned that the March 2025 patch updated the baseband version for their Pixel 8 Pro, potentially reducing background battery drain.
Pixels with Tensor CPU, get 6.1.x Linux kernel from r/GooglePixel
You can check the Linux kernel version on your device by going to the Settings app, then tapping on About phone > Android version and finding the number listed under Kernel version. If you are on a beta or developer preview build, your older Pixel device may have already updated its kernel version prior to the March 2025 security update.
Google’s commitment to providing updates for up to seven years relies on its ability to deliver new updates to older chipsets. Regular updates like the Linux kernel update are crucial for Google to fulfill this promise.
A report from January 2024 predicted that Google would upgrade the Linux kernel version for older Pixels to 6.1.x, and now over a year later, that prediction has come to fruition.