Pixel 9a Battery Health Assistance: Difference between revisions

Line 1:

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:

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.

Line 31:

==Possible technical rationale==

===Prolonging battery life ~~claim~~===

===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":

Line 41:

===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> 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.

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.

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==

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".<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> 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>

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 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==

[[Category:Google Pixel 9a]]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-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:
+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.
@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 ==Possible technical rationale==
-===Prolonging battery life claim===
+===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":
@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 ===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> 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.
+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.
+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==
-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".<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> 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>
+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 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==
 {{reflist}}
 [[Category:Google Pixel 9a]]