Updated: December 4, 2025
Google’s Pixel lineup is having a very busy week. A major Android 16 QPR2 / December 2025 update is rolling out with big AI features and urgent security fixes, while Pixel 10 and Pixel 9a prices have dropped sharply at Google, Amazon, and key carriers.
Here’s a complete look at what’s new for Pixel owners today—and where the best deals are hiding.
Key points at a glance
- Android 16 QPR2 + December 2025 Pixel update is rolling out to Pixel 6 and newer, including the full Pixel 10 family and Pixel 9a. [1]
- The update patches 100+ Android vulnerabilities, including at least two zero‑day flaws already exploited in the wild, plus a long list of Pixel‑specific bugs. [2]
- New features include AI notification summaries, a smarter notification shade, expanded dark theme, lockscreen widgets, parental control hub, and Circle to Search scam detection. [3]
- Pixel 10 deals are aggressive: Google Store has Pixel 10 down from $799 to $599 until December 6, with extra trade‑in credit, while Amazon has gone even lower on some configurations. [4]
- Pixel 9a remains Google’s value champion at $499 list price, but recent Amazon and carrier promos have dropped it as low as $349 in the US and around £10/month in the UK with 100GB data. [5]
- Pixel 7a is the odd one out: multiple reports say its December update is delayed due to a Wi‑Fi bug, leaving it stuck on the November patch for now. [6]
Android 16 QPR2 & the December 2025 Pixel update are live
Google’s December 2025 Pixel update is now rolling out globally as part of Android 16 QPR2 (Quarterly Platform Release 2). It’s a substantial release, combining feature drops with bug fixes and a big batch of security patches.
On Google’s support forum and in Google’s own Pixel Update Bulletin, the company confirms that all supported Pixel devices will move to the 2025‑12‑05 security patch level, which includes both the Android Security Bulletin and extra Pixel‑specific fixes. [7]
Third‑party coverage from Android Central, 9to5Google, and others notes that Google is addressing around 30+ Pixel‑specific bugs, including several nasty ones on the Pixel 10 series. [8]
Which Pixels are getting the update?
According to Google’s rollout notes and detailed coverage from The Tech Outlook, Bez‑Kabli, and GadgetHacks, the December 2025 software update is targeting Pixel 6 and newer devices running Android 16, including: [9]
- Pixel 6, 6 Pro, 6a
- Pixel 7, 7 Pro (7a is currently the exception; more on that below)
- Pixel 8, 8 Pro, 8a
- Pixel 9, 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL, 9 Pro Fold
- Pixel 9a
- Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL, 10 Pro Fold
- Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold
Rollout is staggered by region and carrier, so it can take several days for the update to appear on every device. [10]
New features Pixel owners can use today
Android 16 QPR2 is one of the more feature‑packed mid‑cycle updates we’ve seen from Google. Google’s own blog plus detailed breakdowns from Bez‑Kabli, TechRadar, and TechCrunch highlight a few standout additions. [11]
1. AI‑powered notification summaries & smarter alerts
The headline change is in the notification shade:
- AI notification summaries condense long one‑to‑one and group chats into short blurbs, so you can catch up without scrolling through dozens of messages. [12]
- A new notification organizer auto‑groups lower‑priority alerts (news, promotions, social updates) into labeled bundles near the bottom of the shade, keeping the important stuff visible. [13]
These tools are designed to help you triage your day faster while reducing notification overload.
2. Deeper customization: icons, themes and lockscreen widgets
QPR2 turns Android 16 into a more customizable OS: [14]
- New icon shapes: from the home screen, you can now pick between multiple icon shapes (classic circle, rounded square, etc.), applied across apps for a more consistent look.
- Themed icons for all apps: instead of just Google and a handful of third‑party apps, Android can now generate themed icons for every app, creating a uniform style.
- Expanded dark theme: an optional dark theme can be forced onto more light‑only apps, which helps both eye comfort and OLED battery life.
- Lockscreen widget feed: swiping left on the lockscreen now reveals a scrollable widget area, with a revamped widget picker that makes it much easier to mix calendars, weather, smart home controls and more.
3. Parental controls, calling, and scam protection upgrades
Google is also leaning into digital wellbeing and safety: [15]
- A dedicated Parental controls section in Settings consolidates screen‑time limits, downtime schedules and app blocks behind a PIN, with tight integration into Family Link.
- New Call Reason options (in beta) let you mark calls as urgent so recipients have more context.
- Unknown group chat alerts in Google Messages highlight when an unknown number adds you to a group and offer one‑tap leave / block.
- Circle to Search scam detection uses AI Overviews to flag suspicious messages or web content, explaining why something might be a scam and suggesting next steps.
- Chrome on Android now supports pinned tabs, and Expressive Captions can add tone indicators like “[sad]” or “[joyful]” to captions on videos, helpful for accessibility.
4. Pixel‑specific tweaks: HDR brightness & fingerprint behavior
PiunikaWeb and other Pixel trackers have spotted some Pixel‑only changes: [16]
- A new “Enhanced HDR brightness” slider under Display & touch lets you choose whether HDR content goes brighter or stays more conservative, which is especially useful on the very bright Pixel 10 panels.
- Google has also re‑introduced or improved screen‑off fingerprint unlock behavior on some models, making it easier to wake and unlock your phone in one motion.
- Under‑the‑hood fixes improve emergency calling reliability, sensor memory allocation and folding‑screen behavior (for the Pixel Fold and Pixel 10 Pro Fold), among many others. [17]
Security: why December’s Pixel patch is marked “critical”
Security researchers and Google’s own documentation are unusually blunt this month: this update is not optional if you care about security.
Over 100 Android vulnerabilities, two exploited zero‑days
The December 2025 Android Security Bulletin describes more than 100 vulnerabilities across the Android framework, system and vendor components, including two framework zero‑days (CVE‑2025‑48633 and CVE‑2025‑48572) that Google says have already been exploited in limited, targeted attacks. [18]
SecurityWeek and other outlets note that these flaws can allow attackers to escalate privileges or access sensitive information on affected devices. [19]
Pixel‑specific vulnerabilities
Google’s Pixel Update Bulletin for December 2025, published on December 2, lists a long table of Pixel‑only vulnerabilities, including: [20]
- Critical remote code execution issues in Dolby components
- Critical elevation of privilege issues in the Trusty secure environment
- Multiple high‑severity bugs in the modem, TPU, camera and eSIM stacks
- Additional moderate‑severity issues affecting things like the Pixel Tablet Dock and Exynos modem components
Google says that security patch level 2025‑12‑05 or later on a Pixel indicates that all issues in both the Android and Pixel bulletins are addressed. [21]
CISA & independent warnings
Independent security analysis from SOCRadar, The Hacker News and others emphasises that the two exploited zero‑days and dozens of other flaws make this a particularly urgent patch. [22]
Coverage in outlets such as Forbes and regional security sites highlights that government agencies (including the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, CISA) have added some of these issues to their Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list and set deadlines for federal devices to be patched. [23]
Bottom line: if you own a Pixel 6 or newer, you should install the December update as soon as it’s available to you.
Pixel 7a: the notable exception (and why owners are upset)
While Google’s support page and bulletins say that all supported Pixels will receive the December 2025 update, real‑world reports tell a different story for Pixel 7a owners.
Tech support transcripts and community coverage collected by PiunikaWeb show that: [24]
- Pixel 7a devices are still stuck on the November 2025 security patch, even as other models move to the December 2025 build.
- A Google support representative reportedly told users that the Pixel 7a rollout was paused after a serious Wi‑Fi‑related bug was discovered late in testing.
- Internal targets mentioned in chat logs suggest the fix may arrive later in December or even January, though this has not been formally confirmed by Google.
In parallel, Pixel community threads show 7a owners frustrated that they’re missing out on QPR2’s new features and security fixes despite the phone being one of Google’s newest mid‑range devices. [25]
For now, the safest move as a Pixel 7a owner is to:
- Stay on the November patch until Google pushes an official December/January build.
- Avoid sideloading firmware images that aren’t explicitly intended for the 7a.
- Keep Wi‑Fi and Bluetooth off in high‑risk environments if you’re particularly concerned about security, and be extra cautious with unknown links and attachments.
Google Pixel prices right now (December 4, 2025)
With the new update landing, Google and retailers are pushing heavy discounts on the Pixel 10 series and Pixel 9a. Here’s how pricing looks today in key markets.
Official Google Store (US)
Pixel 10
- Google Store lists Pixel 10 at “From $599 $799 – Save $200”, clearly labeled as a Black Friday deal that ends December 6. [26]
- 36‑month financing starts around $16.64/month, and you can get up to $680 back with eligible trade‑in. [27]
Pixel 10 Pro & Pixel 10 Pro XL
- On the US configuration page, Pixel 10 Pro starts “from $749” (6.3″) and Pixel 10 Pro XL from $899 (6.8″), with higher prices for 256GB, 512GB and 1TB variants. [28]
- On the Euro‑zone store, Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL start at around €1,099, highlighting the usual regional price gap. [29]
Pixel 10 Pro Fold
- The official configuration page lists: [30]
- 256GB – $1,799
- 512GB – $1,919
- 1TB – $2,149
- Google is currently offering up to $725 trade‑in credit on eligible devices when you buy the Fold. [31]
Pixel 9a
- Pixel 9a’s base price is “From $499”, or about $13.86/month over 36 months. [32]
- Via Google Fi Wireless, Google advertises:
- “Pixel 9a on us” with 24 monthly bill credits on a new line, and
- $250 instant savings when upgrading to Pixel 9a on an existing Fi plan. [33]
Amazon & US retailer deals
If you’re comfortable shopping through Amazon or big‑box stores, some of the best prices right now come from third‑party retailers undercutting Google’s own discounts.
A fresh 9to5Toys roundup of Amazon’s Black Friday / Cyber Monday Pixel deals (updated this week) shows: [34]
- Pixel 10
- 128GB: $549 (Reg. $799)
- 256GB: $649 (Reg. $899)
- Pixel 10 Pro
- 128GB: $749 (Reg. $999)
- 256GB: $799 (Reg. $1,099)
- 512GB: $969 (Reg. $1,220)
- Pixel 10 Pro XL
- 256GB: $899 (Reg. $1,199)
- 512GB: $969 (Reg. $1,320)
- Pixel 10 Pro Fold
- 256GB: $1,399 (about $400 off)
- 512GB: $1,519 (about $400 off)
- Pixel 9a
- 128GB: $349 (Reg. $499)
- 256GB: $449 (Reg. $599)
The article notes that many of these are all‑time‑low prices, sitting below the official Google Store Black Friday discounts in some configurations. [35]
Elsewhere:
- TechRadar’s Cyber Monday phone deals round‑up points to up to $700 off a Pixel 10 Pro XL via Mint Mobile, usually tied to multi‑year service commitments and unlimited data plans. [36]
- US Mobile currently advertises a Pixel 10 Pro XL 256GB at around $599.67 for existing customers on certain plans—roughly half of its “comp value” price. [37]
Prices on these third‑party offers can change hourly, so always check the live listing before you commit.
Carrier & international deals
Pixel discounts aren’t limited to the US.
- In the UK, The Sun’s December phone deals coverage highlights a Sky Mobile offer on Pixel 9a with:
- £0 upfront
- £10/month for 36 months
- 100GB of data included. [38]
- Google’s Euro‑zone store lists Pixel 10 Pro from about €1,099, with seasonal promotions and trade‑in credits varying by country. [39]
Always factor in:
- Contract length (24 vs 36 months)
- Data allowances and roaming
- Early termination fees
—often the “cheapest” phone ends up being expensive if the plan is overkill for your usage.
Which Pixel is the smart buy in December 2025?
With update coverage and pricing now clearer, here’s how the main Pixel choices stack up this month.
Pixel 10 – sweet spot for most people
With Google’s own store and Amazon both bringing Pixel 10 down near $549–$599, it’s effectively a flagship at upper‑midrange pricing right now. [40]
Choose Pixel 10 if you want:
- The latest Tensor G5 chip and 7 years of updates
- Strong camera performance with triple rear sensors
- All the new Android 16 QPR2 AI features immediately
Pixel 10 Pro / Pro XL – for camera and power users
If you care about zoom, video, and display quality, Pixel 10 Pro and Pro XL are the ones to beat:
- Bigger and brighter displays
- Longer‑range telephoto (up to 100x with Pro zoom enhancements) [41]
- Larger batteries and more RAM / storage options
The recent $300–$350 discounts at Amazon make them much more tempting than at launch prices. [42]
Pixel 10 Pro Fold – premium foldable with big discounts
Pixel 10 Pro Fold remains a very expensive device at $1,799+, but Amazon’s $400‑off deals and Google’s high trade‑in credit bring it closer to mainstream flagship pricing. [43]
It’s the best choice if you:
- Want a large inner screen for multitasking or media
- Are happy to pay for cutting‑edge hardware plus Pixel’s long update promise
Pixel 9a – best budget Pixel, especially on sale
At $499 list price and $349 sale pricing, Pixel 9a hits a strong balance of camera, AI features and long‑term support. [44]
It’s especially compelling if:
- You can grab a $349 / £10‑per‑month style deal
- Or you qualify for Google Fi’s “Pixel 9a on us” promotion with bill credits [45]
For most budget‑minded buyers, Pixel 9a plus the December update’s new Android 16 features is enough phone for years.
How to install the December 2025 update on your Pixel
If you haven’t seen the update yet, here’s the standard path (once it reaches your device / carrier): [46]
- Open Settings
- Scroll down to System → System update
- Tap Check for update
- If the Android 16 QPR2 / December 2025 update appears, download and install it while plugged in and on Wi‑Fi
After installation, check Settings → About phone → Android version and verify that your Android security patch level is December 5, 2025 or later.
If you were previously on the Android 16 QPR2 Beta, Google and multiple guides note that you should opt out of the Android Beta Program to receive the stable build, but you can typically do so without wiping your device. (Still, back up first.) [47]
Buying tips for Pixel deals right now
A few quick suggestions before you buy:
- Compare Google Store vs Amazon vs carrier offers – Google’s financing and trade‑in can beat a one‑time Amazon discount if you’re trading a recent phone. [48]
- Watch contract length – a “free” or cheap Pixel on a 36‑month plan may cost more overall than buying it unlocked on a sale. [49]
- Check update eligibility – any Pixel 6 or newer will benefit from this December update wave. Avoid very old Pixels if you care about long‑term support. [50]
If you just want the best ratio of price to longevity today, it’s hard to argue against:
- Pixel 10 at around $549–$599, or
- Pixel 9a at $349 (or a similar monthly deal),
provided those discounts are still live when you check.
References
1. www.thetechoutlook.com, 2. source.android.com, 3. www.bez-kabli.pl, 4. store.google.com, 5. store.google.com, 6. piunikaweb.com, 7. source.android.com, 8. www.androidcentral.com, 9. www.thetechoutlook.com, 10. www.thetechoutlook.com, 11. www.bez-kabli.pl, 12. www.bez-kabli.pl, 13. www.bez-kabli.pl, 14. www.bez-kabli.pl, 15. www.bez-kabli.pl, 16. piunikaweb.com, 17. www.thetechoutlook.com, 18. socradar.io, 19. www.securityweek.com, 20. source.android.com, 21. source.android.com, 22. socradar.io, 23. www.forbes.com, 24. piunikaweb.com, 25. support.google.com, 26. store.google.com, 27. store.google.com, 28. store.google.com, 29. store.google.com, 30. store.google.com, 31. store.google.com, 32. store.google.com, 33. store.google.com, 34. 9to5toys.com, 35. 9to5toys.com, 36. www.techradar.com, 37. app.usmobile.com, 38. www.thesun.co.uk, 39. store.google.com, 40. store.google.com, 41. store.google.com, 42. 9to5toys.com, 43. store.google.com, 44. store.google.com, 45. store.google.com, 46. support.google.com, 47. www.bez-kabli.pl, 48. store.google.com, 49. www.thesun.co.uk, 50. source.android.com
