Google to Roll Out Fix for Pixel 6A Overheating Issue with Battery Update Next Week
The move follows reports from users who experienced their Pixel 6A devices overheating and even catching fire, sparking a quick response from Google to mitigate any further incidents. The update is designed to automatically reduce the battery capacity on affected phones after they hit 400 full charging cycles.
While the update will be installed on all Pixel 6A phones, only those identified as 'Impacted Devices' will experience a change in performance, as per a support post from Google. For users with affected devices, the company says they will receive a notification when the phone reaches 375 cycles, giving them time to prepare for the upcoming battery management changes.
'Impacted Devices will receive a heads-up once they hit 375 cycles,' Google's Alex Moriconi told The Verge. 'That will be the signal that the new battery management features will be activated soon.'
Once implemented, the update may result in shorter battery life between charges, and users could notice reduced charging performance. There may also be temporary irregularities in how the battery indicator reflects charge levels as the phone adjusts to the recalibrated battery capacity.
'Users may see other changes, like reduced charging performance or short-term changes to how the battery-level indicator on your phone shows your battery capacity as your phone learns its revised battery capacity,' Google confirmed in its statement.
The company has not disclosed why only some Pixel 6A phones are impacted while others remain unaffected. However, Google is offering a free battery replacement for eligible users. You can check your phone's eligibility on Google's support site if you're experiencing issues or nearing the 400-cycle mark.
This isn't the first time Google has had to respond to battery-related concerns across its Pixel line. The Pixel 4A previously faced a similar overheating and battery degradation issue, for which Google offered users either a free battery replacement or a $100 credit toward a new device. Currently, the company is also managing an extended repair program for battery swelling on the Pixel 7A.
The Pixel 6A, which received praise for delivering Google's custom Tensor chip performance in a more affordable package, has now joined the list of Pixel phones facing post-release hardware concerns.
As the Android 16 update rolls out next week, users are encouraged to check their device's battery health and cycle count to stay ahead of potential performance changes — or take advantage of Google's replacement offer if eligible.
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India follows an escalating payment mechanism that involves charging 0.35% of a company's adjusted gross revenue for two carriers to as high as 1.45% and 2.30% for six and eight carriers, respectively. 'A rational SUC (spectrum usage charge) model which is flat, low, and predictable must be adopted for backhaul spectrum," Airtel said in its submission to Trai. 'Delinking SUC from number of carriers would not only promote efficient deployment but also help optimize access spectrum utilization and improve consumer experience." Jio has pitched a lower reserve price for spectrum based on the auction method and for easier spectrum payment terms. Satellite interference In another potential rift, satellite companies including Eutelsat Group, Amazon Kuiper and Inmarsat, represented by the Global Satellite Operators' Association, have urged Trai to move with caution as it looks to expand backhaul services in the 18 GHz band for telecom networks. The association said backhaul bands are critical to supporting mobile and fixed wireless infrastructure, particularly in regions where fiber deployment is not feasible. 'However, increased use of these bands must not come at the expense of satellite services that share co-primary status, particularly in the 13 GHz and 15 GHz bands," it said. The satellite operators association called for a balanced approach to ensure reliable operation of fixed satellite services, especially in frequency ranges that support essential services such as disaster recovery, remote education, and broadband access in underserved regions. 'As the Trai evaluates the potential expansion of spectrum assignment for terrestrial use in the 18 GHz band, Amazon encourages it to take a cautious approach," Amazon Kuiper told Trai on2 July. 'This band—which has historically been 'much less utilized" by terrestrial services to provide radio backhaul service in India—is critical to the Kuiper System's ability deliver reliable, affordable, and widely-accessible wireless broadband access to Indian consumers," the company said. In May, the department of telecommunications issued guidelines requiring satellite operators to submit a yearly plan to the government showing how they will gradually increase local manufacturing of ground segments of their satellite network in India. India has so far approved the applications of Bharti Enterprises-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, Jio, and Elon Musk-owned Starlink to launch satellite internet services in India, whereas Amazon Kuiper and Globalstar are waiting regulatory clearances.
