Newsletter
The January 2023 update is live for Google‘s Pixel smartphones. It brings the latest Android security patch and a host of other bug fixes, new features, and improvements. The update will roll out to the Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, Pixel 5a, Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 6a, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro globally over the next few days.
This month’s security patch fixes more than 60 vulnerabilities across the Pixel lineup. According to the January 2023 Android Security Bulletin, the 2023-01-01 patch contains 20 fixes and the 2023-01-05 patch contains 41 fixes. The severity of these patches ranges from high to critical. The most severe vulnerabilities fixed this month could lead to remote code execution with no additional privileges needed.
Apart from these patches, the latest update also adds support for static Spatial Audio to Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 7, and Pixel 7 Pro. This feature enables surround sound for connected headsets. Google says it will roll out a separate update to the Pixel Buds Pro to enable spatial audio with head tracking on the earbuds. This update will arrive in the coming weeks, though we don’t have a precise timeline yet.
The Pixel 6a and Pixel 7 models are also getting “additional improvements for fingerprint recognition and response in certain conditions” with this release. There have been a few complaints about fingerprint issues on these phones. This month’s update may make things a little better. The Pixel 7 series, meanwhile, is picking up a fix for a camera issue that occasionally caused photos to appear corrupted or distorted on zooming in. Google has also fixed a display bug on the latest Pixels. The bug prevented the screen from turning on.
The January update for Pixel phones has more bug fixes in tow
The latest update for Pixel phones also contains fixes for a couple of Bluetooth-related problems. Firstly, it takes care of a bug that prevented BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) devices or accessories from pairing or reconnecting. The other issue caused audio problems on certain connected headphones or accessories. Finally, Google’s official release notes mention a fix for a UI bug that caused the screen layout to switch to landscape even though the device is held in portrait mode.
All of these bug fixes, security patches, and new features will reach eligible Pixel models over the next few days. For Pixel 4a, Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5, and Pixel 5a users, the new software version is TQ1A.230105.001. That for the Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, and Pixel 7 Pro is TQ1A.230105.002. Pixel 6a and Pixel 7 users are getting this update with software version TQ1A.230105.001.A2.