Battery Health Assistance: Difference between revisions

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===Pixel 9a===

The 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 ~~|url-status=live~~ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260201093806/https://www.notebookcheck.net/Google-Pixel-9a-comes-with-new-feature-that-weakens-the-battery-after-just-200-charging-cycles.991310.0.html |archive-date=1 Feb 2026}}</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/20250704165953/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15738128 |archive-date=4 Jul 2025 |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=[[Google]]}}</ref> to users:

The 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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260201093806/https://www.notebookcheck.net/Google-Pixel-9a-comes-with-new-feature-that-weakens-the-battery-after-just-200-charging-cycles.991310.0.html |archive-date=1 Feb 2026}}</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/20250704165953/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15738128 |archive-date=4 Jul 2025 |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=[[Google]]}}</ref> to users:

<blockquote>For Pixel 9a:

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You may notice small decreases in your battery's runtime as your battery ages. Battery health assistance will also tune the phone's charging speed based on adjusted capacity. You may notice a slight change in battery charging performance. Battery health assistance settings on Pixel 9a are not customizable by the user.</blockquote>

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 ~~|url-status=live~~ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251216091311/https://9to5google.com/2025/03/31/pixel-battery-health-assistance/ |archive-date=16 Dec 2025}}</ref> It's confirmed that Battery Health Assistance cannot be turned off on Pixel 10 series.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Simons |first=Hadlee |date=20 Aug 2025 |title=Google will throttle your Pixel 10's battery, and there's nothing you can do about it |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-10-battery-health-assistance-3585863/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823225719/https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-10-battery-health-assistance-3585863/ |archive-date=23 Aug 2025 |access-date=23 Aug 2025 |website=AndroidAuthority}}</ref>

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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251216091311/https://9to5google.com/2025/03/31/pixel-battery-health-assistance/ |archive-date=16 Dec 2025}}</ref> It's confirmed that Battery Health Assistance cannot be turned off on Pixel 10 series.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Simons |first=Hadlee |date=20 Aug 2025 |title=Google will throttle your Pixel 10's battery, and there's nothing you can do about it |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-10-battery-health-assistance-3585863/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823225719/https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-10-battery-health-assistance-3585863/ |archive-date=23 Aug 2025 |access-date=23 Aug 2025 |website=AndroidAuthority}}</ref>

On 2 July 2025, an APK teardown of Google's Settings Services app version v1.1.0771997146 hints that Battery Health Assistance may no longer be optional on other models if battery health drops below a certain point. It's not confirmed whether this change is final and no official announcement has been made by Google.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Chris |date=2 Jul 2025 |title=Google could force more Pixels to throttle charging and capacity as they age |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/battery-health-assistance-pixel-phones-mandatory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703034710/https://www.androidpolice.com/battery-health-assistance-pixel-phones-mandatory/ |archive-date=3 Jul 2025 |access-date=3 Jul 2025 |website=Android Police}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Aamir |date=2 Jul 2025 |title=Mandatory battery throttling is coming for more Pixels with poor battery health (APK teardown) |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-battery-health-assistance-mandatory-apk-teardown-3573263/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703035344/https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-battery-health-assistance-mandatory-apk-teardown-3573263/ |archive-date=3 Jul 2025 |access-date=3 Jul 2025 |website=Android Authority}}</ref>

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===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 ~~|url-status=live~~ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123215951/https://www.batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-409-charging-lithium-ion |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref> Charging the battery at a lower current will increase the charging time.

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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123215951/https://www.batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-409-charging-lithium-ion |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref> 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 causes battery lifespan to be considerably worse than advertised after the first thousand charging cycles.

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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":

'''Charging Optimization''' has two options, "Adaptive Charging" and "Limit to 80%".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Get the most life from your Pixel phone battery |url=https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/6090612 |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=Pixel Phone Help ~~|url-status=live~~ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212115330/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/6090612 |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref> Adaptive Charging can prolong the life of the battery by fully charging it just before the user unplugs, reducing the time spent at high charge levels. The user can select Limit to 80% option to help extend the lifespan of the battery with a drawback of a reduced runtime. The smart phone can always resume maximum available capacity should the user disable the limit and charge it to 100%.

'''Charging Optimization''' has two options, "Adaptive Charging" and "Limit to 80%".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Get the most life from your Pixel phone battery |url=https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/6090612 |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=Pixel Phone Help |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212115330/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/6090612 |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref> Adaptive Charging can prolong the life of the battery by fully charging it just before the user unplugs, reducing the time spent at high charge levels. The user can select Limit to 80% option to help extend the lifespan of the battery with a drawback of a reduced runtime. The smart phone can always resume maximum available capacity should the user disable the limit and charge it to 100%.

'''Battery Health Assistance''' lowers the battery's maximum voltage and charging current in stages, from 200 cycles to 1000 cycles.<ref name=":1" /> This is irreversible as the only way to use the full voltage of the battery again is to replace the battery itself.<ref name=":0" /> This reduces runtime further as only part of the remaining battery capacity is available, arguably defeating the purpose of preserving battery health.

===Safety consideration===

Concerns arose over the delayed launch date of Pixel 9a due to "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 ~~|url-status=live~~ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250907134341/https://www.techadvisor.com/article/2643405/google-pixel-9a-delayed-due-to-component-issue.html |archive-date=7 Sep 2025}}</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~~ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218063757/https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr1-beta-2-battery-health-assistance-3566396/ |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</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 arose over the delayed launch date of Pixel 9a due to "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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250907134341/https://www.techadvisor.com/article/2643405/google-pixel-9a-delayed-due-to-component-issue.html |archive-date=7 Sep 2025}}</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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218063757/https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr1-beta-2-battery-health-assistance-3566396/ |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</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==

Current and former Pixel users condemned 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 found the wording of the support article on Google's website vague and lacking in 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=dead |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 ~~|url-status=live~~ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250908110003/https://www.notebookchat.com/index.php?topic=225600.msg645716 |archive-date=8 Sep 2025}}</ref> and forcing the user to replace the phone sooner that what would "naturally" happen.<ref name=":6" />

Users also found the wording of the support article on Google's website vague and lacking in 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=dead |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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250908110003/https://www.notebookchat.com/index.php?topic=225600.msg645716 |archive-date=8 Sep 2025}}</ref> and forcing the user to replace the phone sooner that what would "naturally" happen.<ref name=":6" />

Users also reported 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. The "slight" change in battery charging performance was much more significant than indicated. The battery health can be increased to pre-update condition by switching off Battery Health Assistance.

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 ===Pixel 9a===
-The 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 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260201093806/https://www.notebookcheck.net/Google-Pixel-9a-comes-with-new-feature-that-weakens-the-battery-after-just-200-charging-cycles.991310.0.html |archive-date=1 Feb 2026}}</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/20250704165953/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15738128 |archive-date=4 Jul 2025 |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=[[Google]]}}</ref> to users:
+The 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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260201093806/https://www.notebookcheck.net/Google-Pixel-9a-comes-with-new-feature-that-weakens-the-battery-after-just-200-charging-cycles.991310.0.html |archive-date=1 Feb 2026}}</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/20250704165953/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/15738128 |archive-date=4 Jul 2025 |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=[[Google]]}}</ref> to users:
 <blockquote>For Pixel 9a:
@@ Line 32: / Line 32: @@
 You may notice small decreases in your battery's runtime as your battery ages. Battery health assistance will also tune the phone's charging speed based on adjusted capacity. You may notice a slight change in battery charging performance. Battery health assistance settings on Pixel 9a are not customizable by the user.</blockquote>
-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 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251216091311/https://9to5google.com/2025/03/31/pixel-battery-health-assistance/ |archive-date=16 Dec 2025}}</ref> It's confirmed that Battery Health Assistance cannot be turned off on Pixel 10 series.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Simons |first=Hadlee |date=20 Aug 2025 |title=Google will throttle your Pixel 10's battery, and there's nothing you can do about it |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-10-battery-health-assistance-3585863/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823225719/https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-10-battery-health-assistance-3585863/ |archive-date=23 Aug 2025 |access-date=23 Aug 2025 |website=AndroidAuthority}}</ref>
+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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251216091311/https://9to5google.com/2025/03/31/pixel-battery-health-assistance/ |archive-date=16 Dec 2025}}</ref> It's confirmed that Battery Health Assistance cannot be turned off on Pixel 10 series.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last=Simons |first=Hadlee |date=20 Aug 2025 |title=Google will throttle your Pixel 10's battery, and there's nothing you can do about it |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-10-battery-health-assistance-3585863/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250823225719/https://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-10-battery-health-assistance-3585863/ |archive-date=23 Aug 2025 |access-date=23 Aug 2025 |website=AndroidAuthority}}</ref>
 On 2 July 2025, an APK teardown of Google's Settings Services app version v1.1.0771997146 hints that Battery Health Assistance may no longer be optional on other models if battery health drops below a certain point. It's not confirmed whether this change is final and no official announcement has been made by Google.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thomas |first=Chris |date=2 Jul 2025 |title=Google could force more Pixels to throttle charging and capacity as they age |url=https://www.androidpolice.com/battery-health-assistance-pixel-phones-mandatory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703034710/https://www.androidpolice.com/battery-health-assistance-pixel-phones-mandatory/ |archive-date=3 Jul 2025 |access-date=3 Jul 2025 |website=Android Police}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Siddiqui |first=Aamir |date=2 Jul 2025 |title=Mandatory battery throttling is coming for more Pixels with poor battery health (APK teardown) |url=https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-battery-health-assistance-mandatory-apk-teardown-3573263/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250703035344/https://www.androidauthority.com/pixel-battery-health-assistance-mandatory-apk-teardown-3573263/ |archive-date=3 Jul 2025 |access-date=3 Jul 2025 |website=Android Authority}}</ref>
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 ===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 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123215951/https://www.batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-409-charging-lithium-ion |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref> Charging the battery at a lower current will increase the charging time.
+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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260123215951/https://www.batteryuniversity.com/article/bu-409-charging-lithium-ion |archive-date=23 Jan 2026}}</ref> 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 causes battery lifespan to be considerably worse than advertised after the first thousand charging cycles.
@@ Line 57: / Line 57: @@
 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":
-'''Charging Optimization''' has two options, "Adaptive Charging" and "Limit to 80%".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Get the most life from your Pixel phone battery |url=https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/6090612 |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=Pixel Phone Help |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212115330/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/6090612 |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref> Adaptive Charging can prolong the life of the battery by fully charging it just before the user unplugs, reducing the time spent at high charge levels. The user can select Limit to 80% option to help extend the lifespan of the battery with a drawback of a reduced runtime. The smart phone can always resume maximum available capacity should the user disable the limit and charge it to 100%.
+'''Charging Optimization''' has two options, "Adaptive Charging" and "Limit to 80%".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Get the most life from your Pixel phone battery |url=https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/6090612 |url-status=live |access-date=4 Apr 2025 |website=Pixel Phone Help |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260212115330/https://support.google.com/pixelphone/answer/6090612 |archive-date=12 Feb 2026}}</ref> Adaptive Charging can prolong the life of the battery by fully charging it just before the user unplugs, reducing the time spent at high charge levels. The user can select Limit to 80% option to help extend the lifespan of the battery with a drawback of a reduced runtime. The smart phone can always resume maximum available capacity should the user disable the limit and charge it to 100%.
 '''Battery Health Assistance''' lowers the battery's maximum voltage and charging current in stages, from 200 cycles to 1000 cycles.<ref name=":1" /> This is irreversible as the only way to use the full voltage of the battery again is to replace the battery itself.<ref name=":0" /> This reduces runtime further as only part of the remaining battery capacity is available, arguably defeating the purpose of preserving battery health.
 ===Safety consideration===
-Concerns arose over the delayed launch date of Pixel 9a due to "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 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250907134341/https://www.techadvisor.com/article/2643405/google-pixel-9a-delayed-due-to-component-issue.html |archive-date=7 Sep 2025}}</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 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218063757/https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr1-beta-2-battery-health-assistance-3566396/ |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</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 arose over the delayed launch date of Pixel 9a due to "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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250907134341/https://www.techadvisor.com/article/2643405/google-pixel-9a-delayed-due-to-component-issue.html |archive-date=7 Sep 2025}}</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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251218063757/https://www.androidauthority.com/android-16-qpr1-beta-2-battery-health-assistance-3566396/ |archive-date=18 Dec 2025}}</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==
 Current and former Pixel users condemned 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 found the wording of the support article on Google's website vague and lacking in 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=dead |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 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250908110003/https://www.notebookchat.com/index.php?topic=225600.msg645716 |archive-date=8 Sep 2025}}</ref> and forcing the user to replace the phone sooner that what would "naturally" happen.<ref name=":6" />
+Users also found the wording of the support article on Google's website vague and lacking in 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=dead |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 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250908110003/https://www.notebookchat.com/index.php?topic=225600.msg645716 |archive-date=8 Sep 2025}}</ref> and forcing the user to replace the phone sooner that what would "naturally" happen.<ref name=":6" />
 Users also reported 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. The "slight" change in battery charging performance was much more significant than indicated. The battery health can be increased to pre-update condition by switching off Battery Health Assistance.