Pixel 9a Battery Health Assistance: Difference between revisions

(4 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)

Line 1:

The Google Pixel 9a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. The planned release date is 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:

The [[Google Pixel|'''Google Pixel''']] 9a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. The planned release date is 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.

Line 8:

===Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 Jan 2025 |title=Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program |url=https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861 |archive-date=7 Jan 2025 |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Google]]}}</ref>===

Google is known for reducing the charging voltage of Pixel 4a from 4.4V to 3.95V via a software update, resulting in a 44% drop in theoretical usable charge<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Wojciechowska |first=Kamila |date=5 Feb 2025 |title=There is even more to the Google Pixel 4a's horrific battery update than we thought |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-4a-battery-update-explained-3522417/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=AndroidAuthority}}</ref>. Pixel 4a users report much higher real-world runtime loss.

Line 14:

Line 15:

===Battery Performance issues===

Charging the battery at a lower voltage will not fully charge it. A partly charged battery exhibit shorter runtime. Lowering the charging voltage by 0.1V lowers the capacity by about 10%<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=25 Oct 2021 |title=BU-409: Charging Lithium-ion |url=https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-409-charging-lithium-ion |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=Battery University}}</ref>.

Charging the battery at a lower voltage will not fully charge it. A partly charged battery exhibit shorter runtime. Lowering the charging voltage by 0.1V lowers the capacity by about 10%<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=25 Oct 2021 |title=BU-409: Charging Lithium-ion |url=https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-409-charging-lithium-ion |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=Battery University}}</ref>. Charging the battery at a lower current will increase the charging time.

~~Charging~~ the battery at a ~~lower current will increase~~ the charging ~~time~~.

Google claimed that on Pixel 8a and later, the battery "should retain up to 80% capacity for about 1000 charge cycles"<ref name=":1" />. However, Google also said that "your battery’s actual lifespan depends on usage patterns and other factors"<ref name=":1" />. The "Battery Health Assistance", being a "factor", potentially causing battery lifespan to be considerably worse than advertised after the first thousand charging cycles.

====Analysis====

Line 39:

Line 40:

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.

===~~Potentially defective battery unit~~===

===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>.

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>. 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.

==Consumer reaction==

Line 50:

Line 51:

==References==

[[Category:Google Pixel ~~Smartphones~~]]

[[Category:Google Pixel 9a]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-The Google Pixel 9a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. The planned release date is 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:
+The [[Google Pixel|'''Google Pixel''']] 9a is an Android smartphone designed, developed and marketed by [[Google]]. The planned release date is 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.
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 ===Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 Jan 2025 |title=Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program |url=https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861 |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107002112/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861 |archive-date=7 Jan 2025 |access-date=25 Mar 2025 |website=[[Google]]}}</ref>===
+{{Main|Pixel 4a Battery Performance Program}}
 Google is known for reducing the charging voltage of Pixel 4a from 4.4V to 3.95V via a software update, resulting in a 44% drop in theoretical usable charge<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Wojciechowska |first=Kamila |date=5 Feb 2025 |title=There is even more to the Google Pixel 4a's horrific battery update than we thought |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-4a-battery-update-explained-3522417/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=AndroidAuthority}}</ref>. Pixel 4a users report much higher real-world runtime loss.
@@ Line 14: / Line 15: @@
 ===Battery Performance issues===
-Charging the battery at a lower voltage will not fully charge it. A partly charged battery exhibit shorter runtime. Lowering the charging voltage by 0.1V lowers the capacity by about 10%<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=25 Oct 2021 |title=BU-409: Charging Lithium-ion |url=https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-409-charging-lithium-ion |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=Battery University}}</ref>.
+Charging the battery at a lower voltage will not fully charge it. A partly charged battery exhibit shorter runtime. Lowering the charging voltage by 0.1V lowers the capacity by about 10%<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=25 Oct 2021 |title=BU-409: Charging Lithium-ion |url=https://batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-409-charging-lithium-ion |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=Battery University}}</ref>. Charging the battery at a lower current will increase the charging time.
-Charging the battery at a lower current will increase the charging time.
+Google claimed that on Pixel 8a and later, the battery "should retain up to 80% capacity for about 1000 charge cycles"<ref name=":1" />. However, Google also said that "your battery’s actual lifespan depends on usage patterns and other factors"<ref name=":1" />. The "Battery Health Assistance", being a "factor", potentially causing battery lifespan to be considerably worse than advertised after the first thousand charging cycles.
 ====Analysis====
@@ Line 39: / Line 40: @@
 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.
-===Potentially defective battery unit===
+===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>.
+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>. 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.
 ==Consumer reaction==
@@ Line 50: / Line 51: @@
 ==References==
 {{reflist}}
-[[Category:Google Pixel Smartphones]]
+[[Category:Google Pixel 9a]]