I've got a Pixel 3 - and its pretty much the perfect device for me.
I installed the Android 12 update, and it still works fine - does everything that I need, and does all my contactless payments etc etc.
I really don't see any requirement that would make me spend $1000-$1500AUD on a new Pixel 6 - as it doesn't add any functionality that I require.
The 3 year support is purely about forcing users to pay (on average) $300-400 every year for a new device every 3 years. It's all about a regular income stream for Google.
It's not like Google don't have enough resources to build a few extra android builds each month.... You think they'd have CI/CD just about perfect...