Google’s spicy Pixel 6a saga continues

Earlier this month, Google began pushing out an over-the-air (OTA) software program replace to Pixel 6a smartphones, with the intent of addressing battery-related {hardware} issues. As soon as up to date to this new firmware, Pixel 6a items are capped at an artificially lowered most cost capability, and top-up speeds are throttled downward.

Collectively beneath the umbrella of the Pixel 6a Battery Efficiency Program, this software program replace hit the scene in response to reviews of overheating, melting, and fire-prone Pixel 6a items out within the wild. Whereas it seems that this necessary replace itself has been deployed onto impacted items, it has come to gentle that overheating 6a items may nonetheless pose a security threat.

One Reddit consumer (via Android Authority) has documented a current scathing-hot interplay along with his Pixel 6a, which reportedly caught on fire after being plugged right into a charger in a single day on July 26. In response to the consumer, the cellphone was working probably the most up-to-date model of Android previous to the incident, with Google’s battery threat mitigation code already applied.

Google first launched the Pixel 6a in July 2022, with the machine serving as a mid-range different to the flagship Pixel 6 and 6 Pro flagship handsets. Primarily based on this launch date, Pixel 6a battery packs are three years outdated at most, with the vast majority of items having seemingly sustained tons of of charging cycles over their consumable lifespan.

For probably the most half, lithium-ion batteries are usually strong sufficient to warrant no security issues — even after a number of years of constant use — that means that some type of defect or engineering subject have to be at play right here. So far, Google hasn’t specified the exact subject to the general public, other than acknowledging it to be battery-related in nature.

Say howdy to the Pixel 6a Battery Efficiency Program

Some Pixel 6a customers are receiving a preemptive battery security OS replace

Google first outlined its Pixel 6a Battery Efficiency Program earlier this month, and it primarily consists of the aforementioned Pixel 6a software program replace. In response to the corporate, this necessary OS launch particularly targets “impacted” Pixel 6a items, with the rollout starting on July 8.

On the time of publication, Google’s official help web page states that “[Our] software program replace is being launched in phases. New options will steadily roll out throughout all areas.” Studying additional, the corporate notes that its battery overheating measures solely activate on impacted gadgets, and solely as soon as the Pixel 6a in query has accomplished a complete of 4 hundred cost cycles.

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You may qualify for a free battery alternative

Google is taking steps to compensate impacted Pixel 6a clients

Along with rolling out a software program replace to Pixel 6a house owners, Google is working a battery alternative program for eligible customers. Replacements are freed from cost throughout a number of areas; throughout the US and Canada, repairs had been initiated on July 21, whereas Singapore, India, Japan, the UK, and Germany acquired restore availability starting July 22. Google says extra areas together with France, Japan, and Australia will enter the battery alternative fray “quickly.”

Moreover, a secondary type of compensation is obtainable from Google, topic to regional availability: a money or Google {hardware} low cost code relevant in the direction of the acquisition of one other Pixel cellphone on the Google retailer. Extra info could be discovered straight on Google’s support page.

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The best way to verify in case your Pixel 6a unit has a faulty battery

You will need to head over to Google’s official help web page sooner moderately than later

In the event you personal a Pixel 6a smartphone and are not sure whether or not your unit is impacted by a defective battery pack, comply with these steps:

1. Head to Google’s official Pixel 6a Battery Efficiency Program support page.
2. Faucet or click on on the blue Verify Pixel 6a eligibility button.
3. From right here, you will be prompted to verify your Google Account e mail tackle.
4. Enter your Pixel 6a’s IMEI number (accessible by way of Settings > About cellphone > IMEI, additionally written on the unit’s SIM card tray).

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An explosive scenario

Battery tech stays the Achilles’ Heel of cellular tech

For as superior as our modern-day pocket computer systems have turn out to be, they continue to be hamstrung by imperfect battery know-how. On the one hand, it is exceptional that we’re even capable of harness power throughout the confines of such small {hardware} packages, and lithium-ion tech has made the fashionable cellular business a viable entity as an entire.

That being stated, batteries are consumable merchandise, and chemical reactions inside energy packs at all times result in a degradation in efficiency over time. Whereas usually thought-about protected, malfunctions, engineering oversights, and manufacturing defects all have the potential to wreak havoc, much as we saw in the highly publicized Samsung Galaxy Notice 7 case again in 2016.

Google isn’t any stranger to battery woes, both, with its Pixel 4a previously being recalled in sure markets on account of overheating dangers. In the event you occur to personal a Pixel 6a that’s recognized as an impacted unit, I would advise on performing sooner moderately than later. Whereas it is doable that your explicit unit will stay an extended and wholesome life with out intervention, it is merely not definitely worth the threat of harm or private damage.

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