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

One Reddit person (via Android Authority) has documented a latest 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 accordance with the person, the telephone was operating essentially 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 various to the flagship Pixel 6 and 6 Pro flagship handsets. Primarily based on this launch date, Pixel 6a battery packs are three years previous at most, with nearly all of items having probably sustained lots of of charging cycles over their consumable lifespan.

For essentially the most half, lithium-ion batteries are typically strong sufficient to warrant no security issues — even after a number of years of constant use — that means that some form of defect or engineering situation should be at play right here. So far, Google hasn’t specified the exact situation to the general public, apart from acknowledging it to be battery-related in nature.

Say whats up 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 accordance with the corporate, this obligatory OS launch particularly targets “impacted” Pixel 6a items, with the rollout starting on July 8.

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

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When you’ve got a Pixel 6a, it might quickly be getting a compulsory software program replace to deal with overheating battery issues.

You would possibly qualify for a free battery alternative

Google is taking steps to compensate impacted Pixel 6a prospects

Along with rolling out a software program replace to stricken Pixel 6a homeowners, 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 have been initiated on July 21, whereas Singapore, India, Japan, the UK, and Germany obtained restore availability starting July 22. Google says further areas together with France, Japan, and Australia will enter the battery alternative fray “quickly.”

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

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How one can verify in case your Pixel 6a unit has a faulty battery

You will need to head over to Google’s official assist web page sooner reasonably than later

For those who personal a Pixel 6a smartphone and are not sure whether or not your unit is impacted by a defective battery pack, observe these steps:

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

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An explosive scenario

Battery tech stays the Achilles’ Heel of cell tech

For as superior as our modern-day pocket computer systems have grow to be, they continue to be hamstrung by imperfect battery expertise. On the one hand, it is outstanding that we’re even capable of harness power throughout the confines of such small {hardware} packages, and lithium-ion tech has made the trendy cell business a viable entity as a complete.

That being mentioned, batteries are consumable merchandise, and chemical reactions inside energy packs at all times result in a degradation in efficiency over time. Whereas typically 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 is not any stranger to battery woes, both, with its Pixel 4a previously being recalled in sure markets because of overheating dangers. For those who occur to personal a Pixel 6a that’s recognized as an impacted unit, I would advise on performing sooner reasonably than later. Whereas it is doable that your explicit unit will reside a protracted and wholesome life with out intervention, it is merely not well worth the threat of injury or private damage.

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