What it’s good to know
- Google is slapping a battery cap on some Pixel 6a models as soon as they hit 400 full cost cycles as a part of a security push to cease overheating.
- The replace solely throttles units labeled as “Impacted,” although Google’s preserving quiet on precisely what makes the minimize.
- The replace arrives July 8 for everybody, however except you’ve acquired an “Impacted Gadget,” your battery and charging pace will keep untouched.
Google is taking no possibilities with the Pixel 6a. The corporate has confirmed a compulsory replace touchdown quickly that’ll rein in your battery as soon as it hits round 400 cost cycles with the intention to hold the telephone from working too scorching and keep away from any meltdown-level surprises.
In a group put up, Google gave Pixel 6a house owners a heads-up a few necessary Android 16 replace rolling out beginning July 8 supposed to ship “necessary battery administration options” (by way of Droid Life).
The upcoming replace takes place provided that your telephone is flagged as an “Impacted Gadget.” Should you’re on that record, your battery capability and charging pace will take a slight hit to stop potential overheating.
Just some telephones are affected
Google hasn’t precisely spelled out what makes a Pixel 6a an “Impacted Gadget,” however the guess is it comes all the way down to variations in battery or charging {hardware}. Some models may need slight variations in elements that make them extra liable to overheating, so the upcoming battery limits are possible geared toward preserving these particular telephones in verify.
In case your Pixel 6a falls beneath Google’s Impacted Gadget label, anticipate a compulsory battery tweak coming with the Android 16 replace. Affected telephones will see a noticeable drop in battery life.
In case your Pixel 6a isn’t on the record, you’ve acquired nothing to fret about. The Android 16 replace’s nonetheless coming your method on July 8, however your battery and charging speeds will keep simply the way in which they’re.
This battery replace is Google’s response to earlier experiences of Pixel 6a models working dangerously scorching, together with just a few instances the place telephones reportedly caught fireplace. By dialing down battery voltage, the replace goals to cease these points earlier than they occur once more.
Déjà vu for Pixel 4a house owners
Not way back, Google slashed the Pixel 4a’s battery capability with a shock replace, and now it’s the Pixel 6a’s flip. The corporate introduced in mid-June {that a} comparable tweak was on the way in which, so this should not come as a shock.
Simply to be clear, the battery restrict gained’t kick in immediately. Your Pixel 6a has to hit 400 full cost cycles earlier than something adjustments. And when you’re getting shut, you’ll get a heads-up at 375 cycles so that you’re not caught off guard.
Then again, when you’re not thrilled in regards to the upcoming battery limits, Google is giving just a few compensation choices, together with free battery swaps or perhaps a money payout.