(Credit: PCMag)
Bad news for Google Pixel 6a users. The battery life on the 2022 phone is about to be artificially limited by Google. After reports of two Pixel 6a phones catching fire, the company is set to roll out an update to limit the charging speed and battery capacity of “a subset” of phones.
The update will be a mandatory download when it arrives in July. The company hasn't confirmed the fires, but it appears the two issues are connected. Google says it will contact “impacted customers next month” and provide them with everything they need to “address the issue.”
As a Google spokesperson tells Android Authority, “A subset of Pixel 6a phones will require a mandatory software update to reduce the risk of potential battery overheating. The update will enable battery management features that will reduce capacity and charging performance after the battery reaches 400 charge cycles."
Google did something similar on the Pixel 4a earlier this year, and in some circumstances, it even offered a free battery replacement. It’s unclear if Google will do similar here, but it could happen if the issue becomes more widespread.
There have been two publicly reported instances of a Pixel 6a catching fire in the last month, with one user sharing their story with Android Authority and another posting on Reddit. The photos show phones ruined by fire, so it's clear this is an important safety update.
Many Pixel 6a users are likely to be impacted, as 400 cycles will be around a year to two years of usage for most people. It's unclear how much the battery life will be reduced.
In PCMag's review of the phone, we found the battery life to be “incredible." Given that the phone will continue to receive software updates through 2027, you may find it beneficial to keep using the phone by replacing the battery. For the Pixel 4a, Google recommends replacing the battery immediately after it reaches 400 charge cycles and the limit is activated. Google has yet to do that for the Pixel 6a.