Google Releases Second December Update for Pixel Phones

Google has released a second software update for select Pixel smartphones this December, addressing specific performance issues just weeks after the main monthly patch. The update, which began rolling out around December 17, targets Pixel 8, Pixel 9, and Pixel 10 series devices and is available in regions including the United States, United Kingdom, and India.

This minor over-the-air update, measuring approximately 25 to 27 megabytes, focuses on bug fixes rather than new features. According to release notes from Verizon, a major wireless carrier in the U.S., the patch resolves faster-than-normal battery depletion affecting some users. It also corrects intermittent touch unresponsiveness, a problem particularly noted on Pixel 10 models, and restores access to locally stored content that became unavailable for certain devices after upgrading directly from Android 14 or earlier versions to Android 16.

The rollout appears gradual, with initial reports from Verizon and Visible customers in the U.S., followed by confirmations from users in the UK and parts of India. Not all Pixel owners have received it yet, and eligibility seems limited to the specified models, excluding older series...