If you’re the proud owner of a Google Pixel smartphone, you owe it to yourself to grab the brand-new April update for your device (RQ2A.210405.005) right now. Not only will you benefit from some bug fixes and quality updates, but you’re also going to see a pretty good performance boost if you’re using a Pixel 4a (5G) or a Pixel 5.
When Android 11 dropped back in September of last year, quite a few reviewers found that their newer Pixel devices seemed to take a performance hit. As HotHardware wrote at the time:
“In the 3DMark Sling Shot Extreme test for the Pixel 4 XL with Android 11, we see roughly a 9 percent bleed-off in performance in the overall benchmark (compared to Android 10), which is comprised of 5 percent and 18 percent drops respectively in the graphics and physics components. Things fared even worse for the Pixel 4a, which saw its overall score tumble by a whopping 33 percent. Also, notice the significant drop-offs in the Pixel 4 XL Physics performance scores, as well as the Pixel 4a graphics performance degradation.”
Compare that doom-and-gloom to early benchmarks with the April update, which I’d argue should be installed as soon as possible if you’re using an affected device. As Andreas Proschofsky from Der Standard writes:
This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed.
Google’s full list of changes for the April update can be found here, and you’ll find all of the security issues it’s patching with the update here.
As always, updating your Pixel is an incredibly easy process. Simply visit Settings > System > Advanced and tap on System update to get started.
You might have to wait a bit if you’re a Verizon subscriber, however, as it appears that Factory and OTA images containing the April update are available for every carrier but Big Red. No word on why, or how long it’ll take for the update to show up there, but keep checking your Pixel for the new update. It’ll be worth it.
Apple loves their “Shot On iPhone” ad campaign, which makes gorgeous billboards out of photos seemingly shot with one of their regular phones. So why
Hulu’s Watch Party feature is now available to all subscribers. The feature originally debuted back in May for subscribers on Hulu’s premium ad-free p
As you recall, Apple runs its App Store with an iron fist. And it’ll be a cold day in Cupertino before the company allows game-streaming services to h
Microsoft’s Outlook and email apps on Windows, Mac, and the web are getting some big changes in the coming months as part of the company’s “One Outloo
Now that mobile manufacturers are increasingly abandoning chargers in the spirit of managing “e-waste,” I think it’s finally time to give this blanket
Anime is the catch-all term for Japanese animation, but the medium is a global phenomenon with a passionate fan base outside of Asia. If you’ve never
Apple’s watchOS 8 doesn’t revolutionize the general Apple Watch experience, exactly (nor does the Series 7, for that matter). Instead, the update adds
Many modern operating systems and apps include settings that make them more accessible to users who are colorblind (or color deficient)—here’s how you
We are a comprehensive and trusted information platform dedicated to delivering high-quality content across a wide range of topics, including society, technology, business, health, culture, and entertainment.
From breaking news to in-depth reports, we adhere to the principles of accuracy and diverse perspectives, helping readers find clarity and reliability in today’s fast-paced information landscape.
Our goal is to be a dependable source of knowledge for every reader—making information not only accessible but truly trustworthy. Looking ahead, we will continue to enhance our content and services, connecting the world and delivering value.
