Pixel 9a Battery Health Assistance: Difference between revisions
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The [[Google Pixel|'''Google Pixel''']] 9a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. The | The [[Google Pixel|'''Google Pixel''']] 9a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. The release date was April 10 in US, Canada and UK.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Brecher |first=Hannes |last2=Fisher |first2=Jacob |date=2 Apr 2025 |title=Google Pixel 9a comes with new feature that weakens the battery after just 200 charging cycles |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/Google-Pixel-9a-comes-with-new-feature-that-weakens-the-battery-after-just-200-charging-cycles.991310.0.html |url-status=live |access-date=2 Apr 2025 |website=Notebookcheck}}</ref> On March 31, 2025, Google announced its Battery Health Assistance<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=1 Apr 2025 |title=Understand your Pixel battery |url=https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15738128 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250404092737/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15738128 |archive-date=4 Apr 2025 |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=[[Google]]}}</ref> to users:<blockquote>For Pixel 9a: | ||
Lithium-ion batteries are consumable components that eventually require replacement. Your Pixel 9a will receive a '''software update''' that automatically helps manage the long term health and performance of its battery as it ages. This software will '''adjust the battery’s maximum voltage''' in stages that start at 200 charge cycles and continue gradually until 1000 charge cycles to help stabilize battery performance and aging. | Lithium-ion batteries are consumable components that eventually require replacement. Your Pixel 9a will receive a '''software update''' that automatically helps manage the long term health and performance of its battery as it ages. This software will '''adjust the battery’s maximum voltage''' in stages that start at 200 charge cycles and continue gradually until 1000 charge cycles to help stabilize battery performance and aging. | ||
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You may notice small decreases in your battery’s runtime as your battery ages. Battery health assistance will also '''tune the phone’s charging speed''' based '''on adjusted capacity'''. You may notice a slight change in battery charging performance. Battery health assistance settings on Pixel 9a '''aren’t customizable by the user.'''</blockquote> | You may notice small decreases in your battery’s runtime as your battery ages. Battery health assistance will also '''tune the phone’s charging speed''' based '''on adjusted capacity'''. You may notice a slight change in battery charging performance. Battery health assistance settings on Pixel 9a '''aren’t customizable by the user.'''</blockquote> | ||
Google claimed that this Battery Health Assistance will be '''voluntary''' for '''previously''' launched devices.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Li |first=Abner |date=31 Mar 2025 |title=Google Pixel adding ‘Battery health assistance’ for long-term use, starting with Pixel 9a |url=https://9to5google.com/2025/03/31/pixel-battery-health-assistance/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=9to5Google}}</ref> It is unclear whether some or all Pixel devices released in the future will be impacted by this program. | |||
In July 2, 2025, an APK teardown of Google’s Settings Services app version v1.1.0771997146 hints that Battery Health Assistance may no longer be optional on other models if battery health drops below a certain point. It's not confirmed whether this change is final and no official announcement has been made by Google<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Chris |date=2 Jul 2025 |title=Google could force more Pixels to throttle charging and capacity as they age |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/battery-health-assistance-pixel-phones-mandatory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703034710/https://www.androidpolice.com/battery-health-assistance-pixel-phones-mandatory/ |archive-date=3 Jul 2025 |access-date=3 Jul 2025 |website=Android Police}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Aamir |date=2 Jul 2025 |title=Mandatory battery throttling is coming for more Pixels with poor battery health (APK teardown) |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-battery-health-assistance-mandatory-apk-teardown-3573263/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703035344/https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-battery-health-assistance-mandatory-apk-teardown-3573263/ |archive-date=3 Jul 2025 |access-date=3 Jul 2025 |website=Android Authority}}</ref>. | |||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
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==Possible technical rationale== | ==Possible technical rationale== | ||
===Prolonging battery life | ===Prolonging battery life=== | ||
Charging the battery at a lower percentage slows down battery degradation,<ref name=":4">Xu, Bolun & Oudalov, Alexandre & Ulbig, Andreas & Andersson, Göran. (2016). Modeling of Lithium-Ion Battery Degradation for Cell Life Assessment. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid. 99. 1-1. 10.1109/TSG.2016.2578950. </ref> However, there are some key differences between "Charging Optimization" and the future "Battery Health Assistance": | Charging the battery at a lower percentage slows down battery degradation,<ref name=":4">Xu, Bolun & Oudalov, Alexandre & Ulbig, Andreas & Andersson, Göran. (2016). Modeling of Lithium-Ion Battery Degradation for Cell Life Assessment. IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid. 99. 1-1. 10.1109/TSG.2016.2578950. </ref> However, there are some key differences between "Charging Optimization" and the future "Battery Health Assistance": | ||
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'''Battery Health Assistance''' lowers the battery's maximum voltage and charging current in stages, from 200 cycles to 1000 cycles.<ref name=":1" /> This is irreversible as the '''only way to use the full voltage of the battery again is to replace the battery itself.'''<ref name=":0" /> This reduces runtime further as '''only part of the remaining battery capacity is available''', defeating the purpose of preserving battery health. | '''Battery Health Assistance''' lowers the battery's maximum voltage and charging current in stages, from 200 cycles to 1000 cycles.<ref name=":1" /> This is irreversible as the '''only way to use the full voltage of the battery again is to replace the battery itself.'''<ref name=":0" /> This reduces runtime further as '''only part of the remaining battery capacity is available''', defeating the purpose of preserving battery health. | ||
===Safety consideration=== | |||
Concerns arise over the delayed launch date of Pixel 9a over an "an unnamed component issue", suspecting that the issue could be the battery.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mundy |first=Jon |date=20 Mar 2025 |title=Pixel 9a flaw uncovered before it even hits shops |url=https://www.techadvisor.com/article/2643405/google-pixel-9a-delayed-due-to-component-issue.html |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=Tech Advisor}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Simons |first=Hadlee |date=11 Jun 2025 |title=The latest Android 16 beta now lets you throttle your Pixel's battery, charging |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr1-beta-2-battery-health-assistance-3566396/ |url-status=live}}</ref> If the battery of the Pixel 9a is found to be defective, it might no longer be safe to charge at full voltage after 200 cycles. | |||
{{Main|Pixel 6a Battery Nerf}} | |||
In June 11 2025, Google confirms a Pixel 6a update will reduce capacity in response of multiple devices catching fire<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rahman |first=Mishaal |date=11 Jun 2025 |title=Warning: Google will soon nerf the Pixel 6a’s battery due to an overheating issue |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-6a-battery-overheating-warning-3566640/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250613135314/https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-6a-battery-overheating-warning-3566640/ |archive-date=13 Jun 2025 |access-date=16 Jun 2025 |website=Android Authority}}</ref>. This update will show a warning label when cycle count reaches 375 and reduce the charging voltage after 400 cycles. | |||
==Consumer reaction== | ==Consumer reaction== | ||
Current and former Pixel users condemn this program and compared it with Apple's " | Current and former Pixel users condemn this program and compared it with Apple's "Batterygate" and the Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program, saying that Battery Health Assistance is "worse", a "fancy name for planned obsolescence"<ref>{{Cite web |title=This is worse than Apple |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1jp883q/google_will_gradually_reduce_pixel_9a_battery/ml6m0y7/?context=3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250405011000/https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1jp883q/google_will_gradually_reduce_pixel_9a_battery/ml6m0y7/?context=3 |archive-date=5 Apr 2025 |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 Apr 2025 |title=Pixel reducing battery capacity after 200 charge cycles |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1k0r54v/pixel_reducing_battery_capacity_after_200_charge/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250616031438/https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1k0r54v/pixel_reducing_battery_capacity_after_200_charge/ |archive-date=16 Jun 2025 |access-date=16 Jun 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>. and the Pixel 4a incident is a "preview"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 Apr 2025 |title=Pixel 9a will have battery "optimised" after 200 cycles |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1jpk1db/pixel_9a_will_have_battery_optimised_after_200/ |url-status=live |access-date=3 Apr 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> | ||
Users also find the wording of the support article on Google's website vague and lack of self-consistency,<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 Apr 2024 |title=So they want to reduce the wear out of the battery by... doing exactly the same? What's logic behind this? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1jp883q/comment/mkzu6lc/ |url-status=live |access-date=2 Apr 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> saying the Google will "cause the thing they are supposedly trying to prevent"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 Apr 2025 |title=Deliberate weakening after only 200 charging cycles: Google Pixel 9a limits battery voltage according to a planned schedule |url=https://www.notebookchat.com/index.php?topic=225600.msg645716#msg645716 |url-status=live |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |website=NotebookCHECK - Notebook Forum}}</ref> | Users also find the wording of the support article on Google's website vague and lack of self-consistency,<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 Apr 2024 |title=So they want to reduce the wear out of the battery by... doing exactly the same? What's logic behind this? |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1jp883q/comment/mkzu6lc/ |url-status=live |access-date=2 Apr 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> saying the Google will "cause the thing they are supposedly trying to prevent"<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 Apr 2025 |title=Deliberate weakening after only 200 charging cycles: Google Pixel 9a limits battery voltage according to a planned schedule |url=https://www.notebookchat.com/index.php?topic=225600.msg645716#msg645716 |url-status=live |access-date=5 Apr 2025 |website=NotebookCHECK - Notebook Forum}}</ref> | ||
Users report shorter runtime<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 Jun 2025 |title=Absolutely disappointed with Google and their latest updates including A16 |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1lb4i26/absolutely_disappointed_with_google_and_their/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250616034347/https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1lb4i26/absolutely_disappointed_with_google_and_their/ |archive-date=16 Jun 2025 |access-date=16 Jun 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>, slower charging speed<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 Jun 2025 |title=Did you notice that Battery optimization feature is the one that is forced on P9a? |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/pixel_phones/comments/1laiiok/did_you_notice_that_battery_optimization_feature/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250616040147/https://old.reddit.com/r/pixel_phones/comments/1laiiok/did_you_notice_that_battery_optimization_feature/ |archive-date=16 Jun 2025 |access-date=16 Jun 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> and lower battery health<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 Jun 2025 |title=Is this how Battery Health function of A16 works ? |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/pixel_phones/comments/1lb38ll/is_this_how_battery_health_function_of_a16_works/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250616040252/https://old.reddit.com/r/pixel_phones/comments/1lb38ll/is_this_how_battery_health_function_of_a16_works/ |archive-date=16 Jun 2025 |access-date=16 Jun 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref> after updating to Android 16. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Google Pixel 9a]] | [[Category:Google Pixel 9a]] | ||