Google has confirmed that the Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are the first Android phones to only support 64-bit apps. It also explains why this is a good thing.
According to Google, the just-released Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro are the first Android devices that enable 64-bit apps solely. The company lists a few benefits of the switch and advises developers to start paying closer attention to testing their apps and updates for 64-bit-only devices.
On its Android Developers Blog, Google claims that 64-bit apps run faster than 32-bit ones because they have access to more registers and instructions. On modern CPUs, 64-bit code also executes up to 25% more quickly, and some even stop supporting 32-bit code completely.
As much as 150MB of RAM, which the OS was utilising even when 32-bit apps weren’t being used, can be saved by eliminating support for 32-bit code, according to Google. Also, smartphone OEMs can release updates more quickly because CTS testing takes half as long when only 64-bit devices are used. Google thinks that the ecosystem is ready for a change that will make things better for users.
Serban Constantinescu, Product Manager, stated in a statement
With 64-bit-only devices now reaching users, we encourage developers to start paying extra attention to testing their apps and updates for 64-bit-only devices. To support this, Google Play now provides pre-launch reports that are run on 64-bit-only devices to detect and report compatibility problems.
