Following the Pixel 4a’s example, Google is set to roll out an update for select Pixel 6a devices that will decrease their charging efficiency and battery capacity. This decision comes after reports of some Pixel 6a phones igniting while charging.
Update on Pixel 6a Battery Capacity: In a statement provided to 9to5Google, Google indicated that only a “subset” of Pixel 6a phones will receive the aforementioned update. Owners of these devices will be contacted next month (July) with details on how to address the situation. The communication will likely include instructions on when the update will be available and what steps Google plans to take to support affected 6a users, potentially including compensation or battery replacements.
Here’s the complete statement:
A subset of Pixel 6a phones will require a mandatory software update to reduce the risk of potential battery overheating. This update will implement battery management features that decrease capacity and charging performance after the battery reaches 400 charge cycles. We’ll reach out to affected customers next month, providing all necessary information to resolve the issue.
For those unfamiliar with the Pixel 4a situation, Google initiated a Battery Performance Program for that model due to identified instability in batteries of “certain” 4a units. An automatic update was deployed to the impacted devices, limiting their capacity and charging performance similarly to the proposed changes for the 6a. Google also offered affected owners options for a free battery replacement, a $50 cash payout, or a $100 credit towards a new device from the Google Store.
It’s reasonable to expect that Google will produce a comprehensive support page addressing this issue soon. In the meantime, this is what we currently know. If you have concerns about your Pixel 6a, you may want to contact Google support or simply wait for them to reach out to you.