Google Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program: Difference between revisions

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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=~~25 Mar~~ 2025 |website=endoflife.date}}</ref> On July 2, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program to users:<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.

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}}</ref> On July 2, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program to users:

[[:File:Google pixel 6a email.png]]<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.

All Pixel 6a devices will receive a mandatory automatic software update to Android 16, with roll out starting July 8 2025, but only Impacted Devices will receive the battery management features. Some users will see changes sooner than others, because the battery management features activate only after an Impacted Device reaches 400 charge cycles.

We want our customers to have the best possible experience with their products, so users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for support options from Google based upon country of purchase, location, and warranty status, subject to our terms and conditions below. Not all Pixel 6a devices are impacted by the reduction in battery capacity and charging performance. If your device is not impacted, your battery management features will remain the same as before, and you will not be eligible for these support options under this program. "''<ref name=":0">https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/~~15701861~~

We want our customers to have the best possible experience with their products, so users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for support options from Google based upon country of purchase, location, and warranty status, subject to our terms and conditions below. Not all Pixel 6a devices are impacted by the reduction in battery capacity and charging performance. If your device is not impacted, your battery management features will remain the same as before, and you will not be eligible for these support options under this program. "''<ref name=":0">[https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779? https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779]

Mirror, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250703210308/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779

</ref>''

</ref>

Google pixel needs certain battery replacements for 2025</blockquote>

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===Request form sent out to users===

Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 6a to determine whether their device is an "Impacted Device."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Request a repair, payment, or future discount code |url=https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703211550/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202 |archive-date=03 July 2025 |access-date=03 July 2025 If the user's device is an "Impacted Device," they may choose one of the following:

Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 6a to determine whether their device is an "Impacted Device."<ref><nowiki>{{Cite web |title=Request a repair, payment, or future discount code |url=</nowiki>https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703211550/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202 |archive-date=03 July 2025 |access-date=03 July 2025 If the user's device is an "Impacted Device," they may choose one of the following:

*'''Free battery replacement''' (only available in: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and India)

* '''Free battery replacement''' (only available in: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and India)

*'''$150 USD''' (or local equivalent) '''discount code applicable towards the purchase of another Pixel phone''' on the Google Store (unavailable in certain countries)

* '''$150 USD''' (or local equivalent) '''discount code applicable towards the purchase of another Pixel phone''' on the Google Store (unavailable in certain countries)

*'''$100 USD''' (or local equivalent)~~<ref name=":0" />~~

* '''$100 USD''' (or local equivalent)

Compensation~~<ref name=":0" />~~

Compensation

===Payment-processing issues===

=== Payment-processing issues ===

The $100 USD compensation option requires users to process payment through [[wikipedia:Payoneer|Payoneer]], which has many issues:

*Users must provide sensitive personal information including Social Security numbers and bank details

*A $3 USD processing fee is deducted from the compensation

* Users must provide sensitive personal information including Social Security numbers and bank details

*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<ref>{{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]]}}</ref>

* 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]]}}</ref> 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>

===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]]

Placeholder

===Reimbursement===

There is an option if you have had you 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]]

==Aftermath of software update==

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*Quality control variations between production runs

==Media Articles==

https://9to5google.com/2025/07/02/pixel-6a-battery-update-details/

https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-6a-battery-limit-3573411/

https://www.theverge.com/news/697103/google-android16-update-pixel-6a-battery-overheating-fix-july-8

https://9to5google.com/2025/07/02/google-removes-pixel-6a-factory-images/

https://www.techradar.com/phones/google-pixel-phones/the-pixel-6a-will-get-a-mandatory-update-that-will-reduce-battery-capacity-soon-and-other-pixel-phones-could-be-next

==Criticism by community==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-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=25 Mar 2025 |website=endoflife.date}}</ref> On July 2, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program to users:<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.
+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}}</ref> On July 2, 2025, Google announced its Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program to users:
+[[:File:Google pixel 6a email.png]]<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.
 All Pixel 6a devices will receive a mandatory automatic software update to Android 16, with roll out starting July 8 2025, but only Impacted Devices will receive the battery management features. Some users will see changes sooner than others, because the battery management features activate only after an Impacted Device reaches 400 charge cycles.
-We want our customers to have the best possible experience with their products, so users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for support options from Google based upon country of purchase, location, and warranty status, subject to our terms and conditions below. Not all Pixel 6a devices are impacted by the reduction in battery capacity and charging performance. If your device is not impacted, your battery management features will remain the same as before, and you will not be eligible for these support options under this program. "''<ref name=":0">https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15701861
+We want our customers to have the best possible experience with their products, so users of these Impacted Devices are eligible for support options from Google based upon country of purchase, location, and warranty status, subject to our terms and conditions below. Not all Pixel 6a devices are impacted by the reduction in battery capacity and charging performance. If your device is not impacted, your battery management features will remain the same as before, and you will not be eligible for these support options under this program. "''<ref name=":0">[https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779? https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779]
 Mirror, via the Wayback Machine: https://web.archive.org/web/20250703210308/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779
+</ref>''
-</ref>
 Google pixel needs certain battery replacements for 2025</blockquote>
@@ Line 15: / Line 16: @@
 ===Request form sent out to users===
-Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 6a to determine whether their device is an "Impacted Device."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Request a repair, payment, or future discount code |url=https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703211550/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202 |archive-date=03 July 2025 |access-date=03 July 2025 If the user's device is an "Impacted Device," they may choose one of the following:
+Google has asked users to provide the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of their Pixel 6a to determine whether their device is an "Impacted Device."<ref><nowiki>{{Cite web |title=Request a repair, payment, or future discount code |url=</nowiki>https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703211550/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/workflow/16310202 |archive-date=03 July 2025 |access-date=03 July 2025 If the user's device is an "Impacted Device," they may choose one of the following:
-*'''Free battery replacement''' (only available in: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and India)
+* '''Free battery replacement''' (only available in: United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, and India)
-*'''$150 USD''' (or local equivalent) '''discount code applicable towards the purchase of another Pixel phone''' on the Google Store (unavailable in certain countries)
+* '''$150 USD''' (or local equivalent) '''discount code applicable towards the purchase of another Pixel phone''' on the Google Store (unavailable in certain countries)
-*'''$100 USD''' (or local equivalent)<ref name=":0" />
+* '''$100 USD''' (or local equivalent)
-Compensation<ref name=":0" />
+Compensation
-===Payment-processing issues===
+=== Payment-processing issues ===
 The $100 USD compensation option requires users to process payment through [[wikipedia:Payoneer|Payoneer]], which has many issues:
-*Users must provide sensitive personal information including Social Security numbers and bank details
-*A $3 USD processing fee is deducted from the compensation
+* Users must provide sensitive personal information including Social Security numbers and bank details
-*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<ref>{{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]]}}</ref>
+* 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]]}}</ref> 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>
 ===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]]
 Placeholder
+===Reimbursement===
+There is an option if you have had you 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]]
 ==Aftermath of software update==
 Placeholder
@@ Line 72: / Line 80: @@
 *Quality control variations between production runs
+==Media Articles==
+https://9to5google.com/2025/07/02/pixel-6a-battery-update-details/
+https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-6a-battery-limit-3573411/
+https://www.theverge.com/news/697103/google-android16-update-pixel-6a-battery-overheating-fix-july-8
+https://9to5google.com/2025/07/02/google-removes-pixel-6a-factory-images/
+https://www.techradar.com/phones/google-pixel-phones/the-pixel-6a-will-get-a-mandatory-update-that-will-reduce-battery-capacity-soon-and-other-pixel-phones-could-be-next
 ==Criticism by community==