Another Pixel 6a catches fire, despite Google’s battery restrictions

Facepalm: Google launched the Pixel 6a in 2022 as a mid-range variant of the Pixel 6 smartphone line. The system was initially praised for its so-called “flagship-level” efficiency and options, although it is now clear that the telephone is way from excellent.

A brand new Pixel 6a caught fireplace, even after Google launched a crippling software program replace supposed to restrict the system’s lithium-ion battery cost degree. A Reddit person lately shared his harrowing experience, explaining that the telephone primarily started to soften in a single day.

The person was woken up by a “horrible” scent and a loud noise, solely to find that the telephone was already on fireplace. He managed to yank it off the nightstand by its charging twine and throw it to the ground, however nonetheless needed to take care of burning bedsheets and a sore throat attributable to smoke from the system. Judging by the pictures shared on-line, the battery fireplace destroyed a good portion of the telephone.

In response to Android Authority, this marks the fifth reported Pixel 6a fireplace previously 12 months. In response to rising considerations, Google lately launched a Battery Performance Program particularly for this mannequin. This system limits battery capability and charging efficiency after 400 full recharge cycles. Google confirmed that the throttling replace was launched to scale back the danger of a possible battery overheating situation.

The primary 4 incidents occurred earlier than the discharge of the aforementioned software program replace, however the newest system caught fireplace even after its proprietor had put in the Android patch. This implies that Google’s replace is inadequate to totally resolve the overheating situation, leaving customers in danger regardless of a noticeable discount in battery efficiency.

Google is providing a battery substitute program for affected Pixel 6a units, however solely in choose nations equivalent to the US, Canada, Germany, Japan, India, and the UK. The corporate says this system will ultimately increase to further territories, together with Australia and different European nations like France.

Sadly, the Reddit person whose Pixel 6a caught fireplace lives in a area with out formally supported restore facilities. Google reportedly instructed the person that battery substitute was merely “advisable,” providing little help when it comes to a sensible resolution.

Mountain View has been coping with battery-related points throughout a number of Pixel fashions for months, with the issue first surfacing within the Pixel 4a. Now, even latest fashions are affected, prompting Google to launch updates that gradually limit most cost ranges in an effort to forestall overheating.

At this level, the problem seems systemic reasonably than coincidental. Prospects are more and more questioning whether or not Google is utilizing substandard batteries in its Pixel telephones – and whether or not the corporate neglected the potential overheating hazard for years.