Google’s spicy Pixel 6a saga continues

Earlier this month, Google began pushing out an over-the-air (OTA) software update to Pixel 6a smartphones, with the intent of addressing battery-related hardware concerns. Once updated to this new firmware, Pixel 6a units are capped at an artificially lowered maximum charge capacity, and top-up speeds are throttled downward.

Collectively under the umbrella of the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program, this software update hit the scene in response to reports of overheating, melting, and fire-prone Pixel 6a units out in the wild. While it appears that this mandatory update itself has been deployed onto impacted units, it has come to light that overheating 6a units might still pose a safety risk.

One Reddit user (via Android Authority) has documented a recent scathing-hot interaction with his Pixel 6a, which reportedly caught on fire after being plugged into a charger overnight on July 26. According to the user, the phone was running the most up-to-date version of Android prior to the incident, with Google’s battery risk mitigation code already implemented.

Google first released the Pixel 6a in July 2022, with the device serving as a mid-range alternative to the flagship Pixel 6 and 6 Pro flagship handsets. Based on this release date, Pixel 6a battery packs are three years old at most, with the majority of units having likely sustained hundreds of charging cycles over their consumable lifespan.

For the most part, lithium-ion batteries are generally robust enough to warrant no safety concerns — even after several years of consistent use — meaning that some sort of defect or engineering issue must be at play here. To this point, Google hasn’t specified the precise issue to the public, aside from acknowledging it to be battery-related in nature.

Say hello to the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program

Some Pixel 6a users are receiving a preemptive battery safety OS update

Google first outlined its Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program earlier this month, and it primarily consists of the aforementioned Pixel 6a software update. According to the company, this mandatory OS release specifically targets “impacted” Pixel 6a units, with the rollout beginning on July 8.

At the time of publication, Google’s official support page states that “[Our] software update is being released in phases. New features will gradually roll out across all regions.” Reading further, the company notes that its battery overheating measures only activate on impacted devices, and only once the Pixel 6a in question has completed a total of four hundred charge cycles.

Related

Google pushes mandatory Pixel 6a update to fix overheating battery

If you have a Pixel 6a, it could soon be getting a mandatory software update to address overheating battery concerns.

You might qualify for a free battery replacement

Google is taking steps to compensate impacted Pixel 6a customers

In addition to rolling out a software update to afflicted Pixel 6a owners, Google is operating a battery replacement program for eligible users. Replacements are free of charge across several regions; within the US and Canada, repairs were initiated on July 21, while Singapore, India, Japan, the UK, and Germany received repair availability beginning July 22. Google says additional regions including France, Japan, and Australia will enter the battery replacement fray “soon.”

Additionally, a secondary form of compensation is available from Google, subject to regional availability: a cash or Google hardware discount code applicable towards the purchase of another Pixel phone on the Google store. Additional information can be found directly on Google’s support page.

Related

Google expands Battery Health Assistance to more Pixels in Android 16 beta

Google’s new battery health feature is finally coming to more Pixel devices soon.

How to check if your Pixel 6a unit has a defective battery

You’ll want to head over to Google’s official support page sooner rather than later

If you own a Pixel 6a smartphone and are unsure whether your unit is impacted by a faulty battery pack, follow these steps:

1. Head to Google’s official Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program support page.
2. Tap or click on the blue Check Pixel 6a eligibility button.
3. From here, you’ll be prompted to confirm your Google Account email address.
4. Enter your Pixel 6a’s IMEI number (available via Settings > About phone > IMEI, also written on the unit’s SIM card tray).

Related

Google’s new Pixel battery feature is worthwhile, but only if it’s optional

Google has confirmed that its working on a new Battery Health Assistance feature for Pixel phones – here’s the good news, as well as the bad news.

An explosive situation

Battery tech remains the Achilles’ Heel of mobile tech

For as advanced as our modern-day pocket computers have become, they remain hamstrung by imperfect battery technology. On the one hand, it’s remarkable that we’re even able to harness energy within the confines of such small hardware packages, and lithium-ion tech has made the modern mobile industry a viable entity as a whole.

That being said, batteries are consumable products, and chemical reactions within power packs always lead to a degradation in performance over time. While generally considered safe, malfunctions, engineering oversights, and production defects all have the potential to wreak havoc, much as we saw in the highly publicized Samsung Galaxy Note 7 case back in 2016.

Google is no stranger to battery woes, either, with its Pixel 4a previously being recalled in certain markets due to overheating risks. If you happen to own a Pixel 6a that is identified as an impacted unit, I’d advise on acting sooner rather than later. While it’s possible that your particular unit will live a long and healthy life without intervention, it’s simply not worth the risk of damage or personal injury.

Related

The Galaxy Note 7 was ahead of its time, even if it exploded sometimes

It’s easy to forget what a great smartphone the Galaxy Note 7 was given the controversial situation surrounding the 2016 device.