Google Pixel 6a Battery Performance Program: Difference between revisions

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{{Incomplete|Issue 1=Implimentation of "Media sources" section to references|Issue 2=Merging from [[Pixel 6a Battery Nerf]]}}

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:

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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/16340779? https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779]

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

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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~~><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:

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=2025-07-03 |access-date=2025-07-03}}</ref> 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)

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===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=~~hank you Google for Fast Charging Update~~ /s |archive-date=2025-07-20 |access-date=20 ~~Jul 2025~~ |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.

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>.

==Possible technical rationale==

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#This update is an automatic update '''users can not opt''' '''out''' of.

#Despite claim, this update '''does not prevent''' the phone from overheating or catching fire, as shown by this user whose Pixel 6a that got the July update, caught fire while charging overnight<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/?comments-page=1#comments |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728172217/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/another-google-pixel-6a-catches-fire-after-battery-nerfing-update/ |archive-date=28 ~~Jul 2025~~ |access-date=4 Aug 2025 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 Jul 2025 |title=I'm the 3rd one posting this for this month. Pixel 6a caught on fire right next to me on the nightstand. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1ma6hpa/im_the_3rd_one_posting_this_for_this_month_pixel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728055102/https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1ma6hpa/im_the_3rd_one_posting_this_for_this_month_pixel/ |archive-date=28 ~~Jul 2025~~ |access-date=28 Jul 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.

#Despite claim, this update '''does not prevent''' the phone from overheating or catching fire, as shown by this user whose Pixel 6a that got the July update, caught fire while charging overnight<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/?comments-page=1#comments |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728172217/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/another-google-pixel-6a-catches-fire-after-battery-nerfing-update/ |archive-date=2025-07-28 |access-date=4 Aug 2025 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 Jul 2025 |title=I'm the 3rd one posting this for this month. Pixel 6a caught on fire right next to me on the nightstand. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1ma6hpa/im_the_3rd_one_posting_this_for_this_month_pixel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728055102/https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1ma6hpa/im_the_3rd_one_posting_this_for_this_month_pixel/ |archive-date=2025-07-28 |access-date=28 Jul 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.

==Restoring battery functionality==

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+{{Stub}}
 {{Incomplete|Issue 1=Implimentation of "Media sources" section to references|Issue 2=Merging from [[Pixel 6a Battery Nerf]]}}
 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:
@@ Line 7: / Line 8: @@
 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/16340779? https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/16340779]
+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
@@ Line 17: / Line 18: @@
 ===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><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:
+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=2025-07-03 |access-date=2025-07-03}}</ref> 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)
@@ Line 55: / Line 56: @@
 ===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=hank you Google for Fast Charging Update /s |archive-date=2025-07-20 |access-date=20 Jul 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.
+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>.
 ==Possible technical rationale==
@@ Line 97: / Line 98: @@
 #This update is an automatic update '''users can not opt''' '''out''' of.
-#Despite claim, this update '''does not prevent''' the phone from overheating or catching fire, as shown by this user whose Pixel 6a that got the July update, caught fire while charging overnight<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/?comments-page=1#comments |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728172217/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/another-google-pixel-6a-catches-fire-after-battery-nerfing-update/ |archive-date=28 Jul 2025 |access-date=4 Aug 2025 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 Jul 2025 |title=I'm the 3rd one posting this for this month. Pixel 6a caught on fire right next to me on the nightstand. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1ma6hpa/im_the_3rd_one_posting_this_for_this_month_pixel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728055102/https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1ma6hpa/im_the_3rd_one_posting_this_for_this_month_pixel/ |archive-date=28 Jul 2025 |access-date=28 Jul 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.
+#Despite claim, this update '''does not prevent''' the phone from overheating or catching fire, as shown by this user whose Pixel 6a that got the July update, caught fire while charging overnight<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/?comments-page=1#comments |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728172217/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/07/another-google-pixel-6a-catches-fire-after-battery-nerfing-update/ |archive-date=2025-07-28 |access-date=4 Aug 2025 |website=Ars Technica}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=27 Jul 2025 |title=I'm the 3rd one posting this for this month. Pixel 6a caught on fire right next to me on the nightstand. |url=https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1ma6hpa/im_the_3rd_one_posting_this_for_this_month_pixel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250728055102/https://old.reddit.com/r/GooglePixel/comments/1ma6hpa/im_the_3rd_one_posting_this_for_this_month_pixel/ |archive-date=2025-07-28 |access-date=28 Jul 2025 |website=[[Reddit]]}}</ref>.
 ==Restoring battery functionality==