A few months ago, Google massively nerfed the Pixel 4a’s battery in a debacle that eventually led to a recall in Australia. In April, Pixel 7a users with swollen batteries got the option of a free battery replacement, $200 in cash, or $300 in Google Store credit. It’s a credit to Google that it takes battery health and risk mitigation seriously so long after devices launch.
In the last several weeks, multiple reports have emerged of Pixel 6a units dramatically melting, in one case, while a user slept. So Google’s doing something about it. As reported by Android Authority, buried in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2 are strings indicating capacity and charging speed throttling exclusive to Pixel 6a units with a high number of cycles under their belt. Once your 6a gets the warning, it’s time to replace the battery.
A forward-thinking safety alert
Because nobody likes unpredictable pyrotechnics
Two separate cases of what’s a little more than just your typical overheating. Photos courtesy of Android Authority, an Android Authority reader, and Pixel Phone Help community member “erinelise28 5501”.
Two Pixel 6a-specific strings were uncovered in the beta software. One informs users that their “battery has reached 375 charge cycles,” and would see charging and capacity throttled when it hits 400. The other alerts you when the throttling first occurs. The second also instructs users to visit g.co/pixel/6abattery to learn about their options, although the page hasn’t yet been published. We reached out to Google and received the following statement.
“A subset of Pixel 6a phones will require a mandatory software update to reduce the risk of potential battery overheating. The update will enable battery management features that will reduce capacity and charging performance after the battery reaches 400 charge cycles. We’ll contact impacted customers next month, with all the information they need to address the issue.” — A Google spokesperson
Reduced charging speed and capacity should go a long way toward reducing the risk of overheating, melting, or fires due to poor battery health. However, the strings’ wording indicates those measures might not put users completely in the clear. If you receive such a warning message while participating in Android 16 QPR1 Beta 2, or after the QPR turns into a Pixel Feature Drop, battery replacement is still necessary to definitely prevent disaster.
Per Google’s response, the battery flaw does not appear to affect all Pixel 6a devices, but only some. The number of alarming reports has remained low, and each individual Pixel 6a’s chance of dangerous overheating likely remains similarly slim. But battery fires are notoriously dangerous, and, in this case, apparently difficult to predict. Luckily, Google has already worked to build the protection into Android, and will continue to move forward with alerting impacted customers.
