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Google Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program: Difference between revisions

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{{Stub}}
{{Stub}}
{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Implimentation of "Media sources" section to references|Issue 2=Merging from [[Pixel 6a Battery Nerf]]}}
{{IncidentCargo
{{IncidentCargo
|Company=Google
|Company=Google
|StartDate=2025-07-02
|StartDate=2 July 2025
|EndDate=
|EndDate=
|Status=Active
|Status=Active
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|Description=
|Description=
}}
}}
The Google Pixel 6a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. It was released on July 28, 2022. Android 16 is expected to be the last version supported with security updates expected to end sometime in 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pixel 6a end of life date |url=https://endoflife.date/pixel |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=endoflife.date |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260118201513/https://endoflife.date/pixel |archive-date=18 Jan 2026}}</ref> On July 2, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program to users:


[[File:Google pixel 6a email.png|thumb|right|Email sent to users with a Pixel 6a.]]
The '''Google Pixel 6a''' is an [[Android]] smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. It was released on July 28, 2022. Android 16 is expected to be the last version supported with security updates expected to end sometime in 2027.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PiFixel 6a end of life date |url=https://endoflife.date/pixel |url-status=live |access-date=2025-07-03 |website=endoflife.date |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260118201513/https://endoflife.date/pixel |archive-date=18 Jan 2026}}</ref> On July 2, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program to users:
 
[[File:Google Pixel 6a email forced update lowering battery life.png|thumb|right|Email sent to users with a Pixel 6a.]]
<blockquote>"Google has determined that certain Pixel 6a phones (“Impacted Devices”) require a mandatory software update to reduce the risk of potential battery overheating which could pose a risk to users. The update will enable important battery management features that will reduce battery capacity and charging performance on Impacted Devices after the battery reaches 400 charge cycles.  
<blockquote>"Google has determined that certain Pixel 6a phones (“Impacted Devices”) require a mandatory software update to reduce the risk of potential battery overheating which could pose a risk to users. The update will enable important battery management features that will reduce battery capacity and charging performance on Impacted Devices after the battery reaches 400 charge cycles.  


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*Users must provide sensitive personal information including Social Security numbers and bank details
*Users must provide sensitive personal information including Social Security numbers and bank details
*A $3 USD processing fee is deducted from the compensation
*A $3 USD processing fee is deducted from the compensation
*An annual account fee of $29.95 USD is charged if the account balance does not exceed $2,000 USD in transactions within 12 months<nowiki><ref></nowiki>{{Cite web |title=Annual account fee |url=https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Payoneer]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251129174745/https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee |archive-date=29 Nov 2025}}</ref> https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202
*An annual account fee of $29.95 USD is charged if the account balance does not exceed $2,000 USD in transactions within 12 months<nowiki><ref></nowiki>{{Cite web |title=Annual account fee |url=https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Payoneer]] |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251129174745/https://payoneer.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/43738/~/annual-account-fee |archive-date=29 Nov 2025}}<nowiki></ref></nowiki> https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202
*Users report being advised to immediately delete their Payoneer account after receiving compensation to avoid fees<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=I have replaced battery in a local shop not supported by Google |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>
*Users report being advised to immediately delete their Payoneer account after receiving compensation to avoid fees<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=I have replaced battery in a local shop not supported by Google |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Pixel4a/comments/1i1e4ds/i_have_replaced_battery_in_a_local_shop_not/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>


===Store-credit limitations===
===Store-credit limitations===
[[File:6a-compensation-screenshot-Determine if your device qualifies for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program.png|alt=Screenshot of Google's Compensation Options for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program|thumb|Screenshot of Google's Compensation Options for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program]]
[[File:Pixel 6a support page for determining eligibility for program.png|thumb|alt=Screenshot of Google's compensation options for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program.|Screenshot of Google's compensation options for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program.]]
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===Reimbursement===
===Reimbursement===
There is an option if you have had you 6a battery replaced at an authorized service center prior to the program announcement.
There is an option if you have had your 6a battery replaced at an authorized service center prior to the program announcement.
[[File:6a-battery-previously-replaced-screenshot-Determine if your device qualifies for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance ProgramScreenshot 2025-07-03 at 15-49-06 Determine if your device qualifies for the Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program.png|alt=Have you recently had your battery repaired at an authorized repair partner|thumb|Have you recently had your battery repaired at an authorized repair partner]]
[[File:Pixel 6a support page for determining eligibility for program - previously replaced battery.png|thumb|alt=Have you recently had your battery repaired at an authorized repair partner|Have you recently had your battery repaired at an authorized repair partner]]


==Aftermath of software update==
==Aftermath of software update==
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=== Safety issue ===
===Safety issue===
A Pixel 6a caught fire after the update, indicating the Battery Performance Program isn't enough to prevent overheating<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitwam |first=Ryan |date=29 Jul 2025 |title=Another Google Pixel 6a catches fire after battery-nerfing update |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/another-google-pixel-6a-catches-fire-after-battery-nerfing-update/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729114215/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/another-google-pixel-6a-catches-fire-after-battery-nerfing-update/ |archive-date=29 Jul 2025 |website=Arstechnica}}</ref>.
A Pixel 6a caught fire after the update, indicating the Battery Performance Program isn't enough to prevent overheating<ref>{{Cite web |last=Whitwam |first=Ryan |date=29 Jul 2025 |title=Another Google Pixel 6a catches fire after battery-nerfing update |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/another-google-pixel-6a-catches-fire-after-battery-nerfing-update/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250729114215/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/another-google-pixel-6a-catches-fire-after-battery-nerfing-update/ |archive-date=29 Jul 2025 |website=Arstechnica}}</ref>.


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===Technical evidence of battery changes===
===Technical evidence of battery changes===
The battery voltage has been dropped to below 4.0V after the update, the actual capacity has been reduced to below 60%<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 Jul 2025 |title=Thank you Google for Fast Charging Update /s |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/Pixel6aUsers/comments/1lwf3p5/thank_you_google_for_fast_charging_update_s/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250721025129/https://old.reddit.com/r/Pixel6aUsers/comments/1lwf3p5/thank_you_google_for_fast_charging_update_s/|archive-date=2025-07-21 |access-date=2025-07-20 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.
The battery voltage has been dropped to below 4.0V after the update, reducing the actual battery capacity to below 60%<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 Jul 2025 |title=Thank you Google for Fast Charging Update /s |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/Pixel6aUsers/comments/1lwf3p5/thank_you_google_for_fast_charging_update_s/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250721025129/https://old.reddit.com/r/Pixel6aUsers/comments/1lwf3p5/thank_you_google_for_fast_charging_update_s/|archive-date=2025-07-21 |access-date=2025-07-20 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.


==Possible technical rationale==
==Possible technical rationale==
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==References==
==References==
<references />
{{Reflist}}


[[Category:Incidents]]
[[Category:Google Pixel|Battery Performance Program]]
[[Category:Google Pixel 6a]]
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