Key Takeaways
1. The Pixel 9a will introduce a “battery health optimization” feature that lowers battery voltage over time.
2. This feature may lead to shorter battery life compared to the Pixel 9 after several months of use.
3. Google has not provided specific details on the extent of voltage reduction, leaving its impact unclear.
4. Unlike Apple, users won’t have the option to disable the optimization on the Pixel 9a.
5. The battery health feature will be available for other Pixel devices later, with older models allowing users to turn it off.
A few days back, Google revealed when the Pixel 9a would be launched:
Battery Life Insights
Even with a bigger battery, the Pixel 9a may have a shorter battery life compared to the Pixel 9 after it has been used for several months. This was confirmed by Google in a support document stating that the Pixel 9a will be the first Pixel phone to introduce a “battery health optimization” feature. This feature works by automatically lowering the battery voltage once it hits 200 charging cycles. The voltage will continue to decrease gradually until it reaches 1,000 charging cycles. With reduced voltage, the battery life will likely decrease, and charging times will be slower. Google claims this method is meant to “stabilize battery performance and wear,” but it brings to mind the disastrous battery update that made many Google Pixel 4a phones nearly unusable.
Uncertain Impact on Battery Life
Google hasn’t provided specific figures on how much the voltage will be decreased, leaving us in the dark about its actual impact on battery life. Unlike Apple’s iPhone, there’s no option to turn off these “optimizations” on the Pixel 9a. To regain the full battery voltage after 200 cycles or more, users would need to get a new battery. Google has told 9to5Google that this “battery health optimization” feature will be rolled out to other Pixel devices later this year through a software update, but owners of older models will be able to turn off the feature if they wish.
Conclusion
In summary, the Pixel 9a is set to introduce a significant change in how battery health is managed, but its implications remain uncertain. Users should be aware of these potential issues as they consider the new device.
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