Google soon introduces a new function to improve the longevity of Pixel batteries. However, the charging speed is throttled for this. Loading takes increasing longer. In newer models such as Pixel 9a, users have no choice.
New battery function for longevity
Recently, Google’s pixel smartphones have been in the headlines primarily because of their batteries. However, the bad news predominates. The reports on devices that had caught fire during the shop recently increased. For security reasons, Google had already halved the battery capacity in the Pixel 4A. Owners of a Pixel 7a were even offered vouchers of 400 euros due to battery problems.
Now you want to improve the longevity of the batteries with a new function. However, that has a price. How 9to5google reports, Google is currently working on the so -called “Battery Health Assistance”. This software function intervenes according to a certain number of charging cycles and gradually adapts the maximum voltage of the battery. The aim is to slow the battery age and extend the lifespan.
Forced recovery of the users
The function is to be used on Pixel 9a and will probably be rolled out later to other Pixel devices. It will be optional for older devices, while users of Pixel 9a and probably also future models will have no choice – the function is activated by default and cannot be deactivated.
The adaptation of the maximum battery voltage should begin after 200 charging cycles and continues gradually up to the 1000th charging cycle. Google explains that lithium-ion batteries are wearing parts that lose capacity over time and have to be replaced at some point. This process is to be slowed down with the new function. Infographic Pixel smartphones: Google has a loyalty problem
Accounting time versus lifespan
The technology behind “Battery Health Assistance” is based on the realization that batteries last longer if they are not always loaded up to maximum capacity. With the voltage adjustment, however, the loading speed is reduced. Google explains that the function “coordinates the charging speed of the phone based on the adapted capacity”. The older the batteries get, the slower they are loaded.
The background to this development could be the extended update support from Google. Since the company promises updates for its newer Pixel models for seven years, the battery is increasingly becoming a limiting factor for the useful life of the devices. The new function could ensure that the smartphones still work reliably even after years.
Function still in development
So far, the function is not available. According to information found in the latest version of the Setting Service Service, the setting for “Battery Health Assistance” will appear under the battery settings. For devices where the function is optional, there will be a on/off switch. The function could be introduced with the stable release of Android 16 or a later update of this year.
At the same time, Android 16 should also bring an advertisement for the battery statement in percent for Pixel 8a and newer models. This development shows that Google increasingly pays attention to the topic of battery health. This is certainly not a bad idea with the problems with the batteries of the pixel smartphones.
