Google Pixel 9a quick charging improve is one step ahead, two steps again

Final yr’s Pixel 8a packed a modest 4,500mAh battery and sluggish 18W charging pace that wowed nobody. So, some of the welcome upgrades to Google’s new Pixel 9a is a a lot bigger 5,100mAh energy cell and quicker 23W charging capabilities — an influence stage that now matches the flagship Pixel 9 mannequin.

Has Google lastly nailed battery life and charging on the Pixel 9a? Nicely, we’ve actually been impressed by the previous, however I took our handset to our lab to see if Google’s traditionally finicky charging lastly comes good.

How briskly does the Pixel 9a cost?

Utilizing a high-powered USB Energy Supply PPS charger, I noticed 25W reaching the Pixel 9a, which is barely increased than its marketed charging capabilities. That seemingly innocuous PPS half is essential; if you happen to use the identical fundamental USB PD charger as final yr’s mannequin, you’ll be restricted to 18W on the 9a. You want a PPS-compliant charger to barter this yr’s increased energy stage, corresponding to Google’s newest 45W wall charger ($29.99 at Amazon), similar to you do for Google’s flagship telephones.

Impressively, the Pixel 9a’s peak energy stage is sustained for about 20 minutes, guaranteeing a fairly fast top-up once you first plug the telephone in. Nevertheless, the caveat is that the telephone reaches 40.4°C in that point, heat sufficient to flash a minor warning gentle for battery longevity. Fortunately, this temperature is just reached briefly, inflicting energy ranges to throttle again to 18W to maintain warmth beneath management. That mentioned, the telephone remains to be noticeably hotter than the earlier Pixel 8a and doesn’t maintain energy for fairly so long as the costlier Pixel 9. So, think about it as touchdown someplace in between.

Nonetheless, that energy enchancment means the Pixel 9a costs to 50% in half-hour, 75% in 50 minutes, and full in a nonetheless painfully gradual 94 minutes. Because of the bigger 5,100mAh battery, the 9a is just a handful of minutes quicker to full than the Pixel 8a and doesn’t attain 50% or 75% actually any faster both. Equally, as a result of it warms up and throttles again earlier than the Pixel 9, the telephone doesn’t hit that all-important 50% milestone fairly as rapidly as Google’s small flagship both.

So, has Google achieved a great job with the Pixel 9a’s charging setup? On the one hand, the ability capabilities are actually according to the Pixel 9 sequence and, regardless of needing a brand new plug, that energy increase is a welcome, if not overdue, addition to the A sequence. We’ve seen an rising variety of telephones across the $499 mark accommodate quicker charging speeds, so it’s good to see Google maintaining with the competitors.

Nevertheless, Google has considerably backed itself right into a nook right here. The Pixel 9a wants quicker charging to make sure that it doesn’t take an absolute age to refill its bigger 5,100mAh battery. Nevertheless, the elevated energy stage solely retains the telephone roughly on tempo with final yr’s mannequin, so it’s not likely an improve by way of pace. Worse, the entire setup appears to contribute to noticeably extra warmth whereas charging, which is way from superb.

Given the Pixel 4a’s battery controversy and the Pixel 9a’s launch delay being brought on by “element high quality points,” I feel we’re all proper to be a little bit cautious about temperatures in relation to Google’s telephones. The Pixel 9a actually isn’t overly sizzling whereas charging (like some quicker charging telephones), but it surely’s hotter than final yr and data increased common temperatures than the doubtful Pixel 7a. Whereas not heat sufficient to be alarming, it’s one thing to consider if you happen to’re planning to maintain the Pixel 9a for so long as Google’s seven years of marketed help. I’d actually consider the price of a battery alternative or probably two.