Very bad news for Pixel 6a users. They may have to replace their smartphone sooner than expected. The code for Android 16 QPR1 beta 2 (the major quarterly system update, expected by the end of summer) includes worrying warnings revealed by Android Authority, which has obtained since the company confirmed it.
After 400 cycles, pray for an outlet nearby
It turns out that the Pixel 6a battery poses a risk of overheating "once it reaches 400 charge cycles." To address this, Google says that the battery's capacity and charging performance will be "reduced." Once the throttling is activated, the manufacturer will recommend replacing the battery.
Without a new battery, users risk finding themselves with a smartphone unable to last several hours at a time. They'll have to carry around a charger in their pocket and, above all, hope that an outlet isn't too far away... It's annoying, but anything is better than a fire.
Rather than a battery replacement, which could be quite expensive (it's likely that the Pixel 6a will no longer be covered by the warranty), many will prefer to buy a new smartphone. It's not specified in the code, but Google will offer financial compensation, or even a discount to buy a new Pixel. The company has indicated that it will notify affected users next month, "with all the information necessary to resolve this problem."
This isn't the first time that Google and its users have encountered unpredictable batteries. Earlier this year, an (automatic) update was forced on the Pixel 4a. The smartphone was expected to suffer from the same problems as its big brother, as this update also hampered performance and battery life. The final word came when Australian authorities recalled the model: "The overheating battery could pose a risk of fire and/or burns to the user." Hot!
Google is offering affected users a program for free battery replacement (only in a few countries, and not in France), financial compensation of around €50, or a voucher worth around a hundred euros towards the purchase of a new model.
This story is all the more infuriating given that the Pixel 6a, a mid-range smartphone released in spring 2022, will receive Android updates until July 2027. So it can provide many services so far, but many users may prefer to change creameries.
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