Google this year is introducing “Battery health assistance” on Pixel devices to help “extend their usability.”
Starting on the Pixel 9a, but also coming to other models, Google will add a software feature called “Battery health assistance.” The Google Store listing (as the first footnote) for the mid-range phone, which is set to launch April 10, explains how “Pixel software will manage battery performance to help maintain battery health as your battery ages.” This seems like something all Pixel phones will be getting going forward, especially with 7 years of OS updates.
A support article explains how Google will adjust the “battery’s maximum voltage in stages that start at 200 charge cycles and continue gradually until 1000 charge cycles to help stabilize battery performance and aging.” Additionally, this feature will “tune the phone’s charging speed based on adjusted capacity.”
This will result in “small decreases in your battery’s runtime as your battery ages,” as well as a “slight change in battery charging performance.” If that phrasing is familiar, it’s what Google released in January for the 2020 Pixel 4a due to an overheating risk. For the past few years, Apple has implemented a similar “performance management” feature on the iPhone, with batteries chemically aging unavoidable.
Earlier this year, Google detailed how the Pixel 8a and newer “should retain up to 80% capacity for about 1000 charge cycles.” (For the Pixel 3a – 8 Pro, it’s “up to 80% capacity for about 800 charge cycles.”)
In a statement, the company tells 9to5Google today that “Battery health assistance is a software feature that will roll out to a selection of Pixel devices starting later this year, designed to extend their usability.”
On the Pixel 9a, “Battery health assistance settings on Pixel 9a aren’t customizable by the user.” However, Google tells us this feature “will be voluntary for any customers using previously launched devices.”
This feature/update is not yet out, and comes as Android 16 looks set to introduce Battery health with an estimated capacity percentage. It joins other features like the “Limit to 80%” charging optimization and the ability to see cycle count.
Add 9to5Google to your Google News feed.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
