Latest news with #overheating
The Sun
2 days ago
- The Sun
Android phone ‘MELTS' as shocked user woke up to ‘horrible smell and loud noise' after installing update
A SMARTPHONE user says their device suddenly caught fire and melted beside them as they slept — despite installing a safety update meant to stop overheating. The incident involved Google's Pixel 6A, and took place in Australia, where the Reddit user said they were jolted awake by a 'horrible smell and a loud noise' before discovering their Pixel 6A melting on the nightstand. 3 3 The phone had been charging overnight using a 45W Steam Deck charger when it suddenly burst into flames. The user, who goes by footymanageraddict on Reddit, said the fire damaged their bedsheets and even scorched the surface of a nearby air conditioner unit. 'The phone was sitting less than 40 cms away from my head on my nightstand,' the post reads. 'Sheets caught on fire. My ac (a floor unit) had damages on its surface from the fire. My throat hurt the whole day from the fumes I inhaled.' The user had installed Google's recent mandatory battery performance update, which was designed to reduce overheating risks. However, they didn't replace the battery because there were no walk-in support options available in their country, and mailing the phone in wasn't feasible. This incident is one of several involving the Pixel 6A catching fire while charging. Another Reddit user, zaliver, described a similar situation when their device started 'shooting out hot gas' during the night. 'Luckily, I was able to smother the fire, then throw the still-smoking phone into the toilet before the fire spread,' they wrote. 'My wife and I are pretty shook up about it.' In response to growing concerns, Google confirmed to The Sun that a 'subset' of Pixel 6A devices is receiving the update 'to reduce the risk of potential battery overheating'. Three little-known ways 'unknown tracker alerts' on Android can keep you safe The tech giant said the update will automatically enable battery management features that limit capacity and charging performance once the phone reaches 400 charge cycles. 'We'll contact impacted customers next month, with all the information they need to address the issue,' Google added. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) also issued a warning last week, stating that Pixel 6A phones may have an 'overheating battery' that 'could pose a risk of fire and/or burns to a user,' and confirmed that 'incidents have occurred resulting in serious burn injuries'. 3
The Verge
2 days ago
- The Verge
Yet another Pixel 6A caught fire
Another user has reported their Pixel 6A catching fire — but this time, it appears to have occurred after applying Google's recent battery performance update that was intended to prevent overheating issues, as spotted by Android Authority. In a post on Reddit, a Pixel 6A user says they awoke to a 'horrible smell and a loud noise,' which is when they discovered their device on fire while charging atop the nightstand next to them. The Redditor says the device was plugged into a 45W charger for the Steam Deck when it caught fire, melting the phone's screen and case. 'The phone was sitting less than 40 cms away from my head on my nightstand,' u/footymanageraddict says in the post. 'Sheets caught on fire. My ac (a floor unit) had damages on its surface from the fire. My throat hurt the whole day from the fumes i inhaled.' Google didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. After several reports of Pixel 6A fires emerged earlier this year, Google released a mandatory software update designed to reduce battery capacity and charging performance after 400 charge cycles. Google also began offering a free battery replacement for eligible devices. This Reddit user says they applied the mandatory update, but they didn't replace their battery because they had no walk-in replacement options available in their country and could only mail in their device. As noted by Android Authority, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission warned customers last week that Pixel 6A devices may have an 'overheating battery could pose a risk of fire and/or burns to a user,' adding that 'incidents have occurred resulting in serious burn injuries.' Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Emma Roth Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Google Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Google Pixel Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Mobile Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech
Android Authority
3 days ago
- Android Authority
A fifth Pixel 6a just caught fire, and it seems like Google's update isn't enough
Ryan Haines / Android Authority TL;DR Another Google Pixel 6a has caught fire, according to a Reddit user. The user said their phone caught fire despite installing Google's mandatory update to combat battery heating. This also comes after Australia's consumer watchdog issued a notice about Pixel 6a battery overheating. We've reported on several Google Pixel 6a battery fires earlier this year. This prompted Google to release a mandatory update for some units earlier this month to combat the issue. This update is supposed to dramatically cut battery life and reduce charging speeds in a bid to reduce battery heating issues. Unfortunately, someone has reported a Pixel 6a battery fire after installing the update. Redditor footymanageraddict reports that their Pixel 6a caught fire while they were sleeping on Saturday (July 26): I got woken up with a horrible smell and a loud noise. Fire had already started and i managed to throw the phone on the tile floor pulling it by the cord. The phone was sitting less than 40 cms away from my head on my nightstand. Sheets caught on fire. My ac (a floor unit) had damages (sic) on its surface from the fire. My throat hurt the whole day from the fumes i inhaled (My room door was closed because of the ac being on so i basically breathed the smoke for a longer time than i would want trying to stop a fire from spreading). The Redditor said they had been charging the phone with the Steam Deck's 45W charger. They also posted several photos showing the aftermath of the fire, seen below. The images show an extensively burned Pixel 6a, including a melted screen, a partially melted case, and charred internals. What's particularly concerning is that the user said they had installed Google's 'Battery Performance Program' update, which was supposed to reduce the risk of battery overheating in the first place. Google also recommends a free battery replacement for affected devices (via mail or walk-in), but the user said walk-in replacements weren't available in their country. This might be the fifth Pixel 6a to catch fire in the last 12 months. However, the previous four incidents occurred before Google's 'Battery Performance Program' update. This latest incident suggests that the update doesn't go far enough and that Google needs to perform a mandatory battery replacement or device recall. It's also theoretically possible that the device battery was already past the point of no return. However, the user didn't notice any battery swelling or other telltale signs. This also comes after Australia's consumer watchdog issued a warning about the Pixel 6a on July 25. The Australian Consumer and Competition Commission warned that the phone's battery may overheat, but added that users didn't have to return their devices. The warning nevertheless came a day before the latest battery fire incident. We've asked Google for comment regarding this latest issue and whether it will take additional actions (e.g., a mandatory recall/replacement). We'll update the article when the Pixel maker gives us an answer. Either way, it's getting harder to recommend mid-range Pixel phones due to this issue. Got a tip? Talk to us! Email our staff at Email our staff at news@ . You can stay anonymous or get credit for the info, it's your choice. Follow
The Australian
4 days ago
- The Australian
Google Pixel 6a gets urgent update to prevent fire risk, overheating
An urgent update has been pushed to a range of Google phones due to the risk they could overheat and even cause fires. Product Safety Australia said incidents involving Google Pixel 6a devices have resulted in 'serious burn injuries'. A mandatory update has been pushed to a number of phones to reduce the risk, and devices only need to be updated rather than returned. A range of Google Pixel smartphones have been recalled over risks they could catch fire and burn users. Picture: Supplied The firmware update was released on 8 July, which included battery management features which mitigate the risk. Not all Pixel 6a devices are affected by the issue, and the new battery management system will be activated once affected devices reach 400 battery cycles. People whose phones are affected may be eligible for compensation from Google, and can check online to see if they can get a repair, cash payment or discount credit. The phones have been sold at major retailers across the country, including Telstra, Optus, JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks and Harvey Norman. The affected devices were sold between 16 June 2022 and 10 April 2025. Brendan Kearns Cadet Journalist Brendan Kearns is a cadet journalist with News Corp Australia. He has written for The Australian, the Herald Sun, the Geelong Advertiser, CHOICE, Cosmos, and The Citizen. He won Democracy's Watchdogs' Student Award for Investigative Journalism 2024 and hosted the third season of award-winning podcast Uncurated. He studied as Master of Journalism at The University of Melbourne, before that he worked as a video producer and disability worker. @brendandkearns Brendan Kearns
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Urgent update over smartphone ‘fire risk'
An urgent update has been pushed to a range of Google phones due to the risk they could overheat and even cause fires. Product Safety Australia said incidents involving Google Pixel 6a devices have resulted in 'serious burn injuries'. A mandatory update has been pushed to a number of phones to reduce the risk, and devices only need to be updated rather than returned. The firmware update was released on 8 July, which included battery management features which mitigate the risk. Not all Pixel 6a devices are affected by the issue, and the new battery management system will be activated once affected devices reach 400 battery cycles. People whose phones are affected may be eligible for compensation from Google, and can check online to see if they can get a repair, cash payment or discount credit. The phones have been sold at major retailers across the country, including Telstra, Optus, JB Hi-Fi, Officeworks and Harvey Norman. The affected devices were sold between 16 June 2022 and 10 April 2025.
