Free ‘battery life' upgrades being handed out to phone owners – and how to tell if you've got dodgy mobile that needs it
CHARGE UP Free 'battery life' upgrades being handed out to phone owners – and how to tell if you've got dodgy mobile that needs it
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A BIG update is coming to a popular mobile phone next week that could make the power run out faster.
As such, Google is offering free battery upgrades to those affected.
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One Pixel 6a that allegedly caught fire
Credit: Reddit / zaliver
The update is coming to Pixel 6a handsets - and it's mandatory.
It's all because of potential overheating, after a small number of users came forward claiming their phone caught fire.
The issue and battery problems won't affect all Pixel 6a devices but the update is being issued as a precaution.
Google confirmed to The Sun three weeks ago that an update was coming to a "subset" of users.
On affected phones, the battery capacity will be reduced after they reach 400 charging cycles.
If you do happen to have an impacted handset, a notification will appear when the phone has completed 375 cycles, to warn you that the new battery management features will kick into action soon.
Google says this could result in the battery lasting "for shorter periods between charges" as well as "reduced charging performance or short-term changes to how the battery-level indicator on your phone shows your battery capacity".
Now the company has revealed that it'll roll out the update next week.
"All Pixel 6a devices will receive a mandatory automatic software update to Android 16, with roll-out starting on 8 July 2025, but only Impacted Devices will receive the battery management features," the firm said on its website.
"Some users will see changes sooner than others, because the battery management features activate only after an Impacted Device reaches 400 charge cycles."
Google reveals surprise Android upgrade including AI that answers phone for you
It's not the first time Google has had to deal with battery issues, having run a similar programme for the Pixel 4a previously.
You can check if you're eligible for a free battery replacement by using Google's special tool.
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