I was more surprised than I should have been when I heard about the latest battery issues with older Google Pixel devices. The Pixel 6a joins the Pixel 4a in experiencing problems, with some users reporting battery failures.
It’s a disappointing development, and Google is taking software precautions by limiting the capacities of batteries with higher cycle counts.
I’m pleased Google is acknowledging the problem, as that hasn’t always been a strong suit for the company. However, hardware problems stir up some old memories about issues with the Pixels of yesteryear.
Google has had a successful last 36 months, releasing solid hardware and reliable software. Still, it wasn’t that long ago that Pixels faced more issues.
While those days appear to be gone, the Pixel 6a battery issue is a voice from Google’s haunted past.
A little too close to home
I didn’t love the Pixel 4a issues, but the Pixel 6a hurts
When I heard about the Pixel 4a battery issues, I didn’t love it, but I didn’t worry too much. The phone is no longer supported and is several years old.
As long as Google did right by Pixel 4a owners with replacements and a software fix, I could live with it.
I never appreciate it when a company has to downgrade a phone’s battery, resulting in worse performance, but if the alternative is potential battery failure, you deal with it.
Unfortunately, the Pixel 6a hits a little closer to home. It’s a device that still receives software support from Google, and I know plenty of happy users who enjoy their Pixel 6a.
It was one of the best smartphone deals for a long time, and people who wanted a Pixel camera without spending flagship prices got an excellent smartphone for around $300.
Now, they are faced with either defective batteries or reduced capacities. Reduced battery life is better than your phone melting in your sleep, but the issue is a stark reminder that things weren’t always smooth sailing with Pixel phones.
Several Pixel disasters in a few years
Quality control suffered
The latest incidents brought back horrifying memories of the Pixel 6. I couldn’t stand that phone on launch, and I was baffled by how Google could release a smartphone in such a state.
The fingerprint reader only worked 50 percent of the time, a frustrating figure for a device without face unlock. Unfortunately, the difficulties didn’t stop there.
The Pixel 6 had issues with overheating, and Android 12 wasn’t ready for prime time. I had to hard reset the device several times a day just to keep it running, and the user experience was a disaster.
Some users experienced debilitating Wi-Fi and Bluetooth issues, and it took Google months to resolve everything.
My Pixel 4XL also experienced issues after an update, where face unlock refused to work, even after I cleaned the Soli sensor. I was repeatedly told that the sensor was dirty, an issue that many frustrated Pixel owners had reported.
A face unlock error is exactly what you don’t want on a device without a physical or on-screen fingerprint reader, both of which the Pixel 4XL lacked.
Still, Google was able to turn things around, and poor quality control and wonky software updates weren’t the norm forever.
Google’s had a solid three years
The Pixel 8 was a turning point
Despite previous troubles, Google’s done an excellent job righting the ship.
Starting with the Pixel 8, the company addressed user complaints. Its Super Actua displays are amazing, and the Tensor chipsets have developed into reliable workhorses, no longer plagued by overheating.
I also get outstanding battery life from the latest crop of Pixel phones, something I couldn’t have said just a few short years ago.
Google has absolutely done right by buyers the last few generations, and I’m looking forward to what the company has in store for the Pixel 10 series.
Somewhere along the line, the company learned to focus on better quality control and power-efficient chipsets.
If the Tensor G5 provides the rumored GPU bump this year, I’ll be more than happy with the performance.
A haunting past, but a promising future
I still talk to people who are wary about purchasing a Pixel phone because of past trauma. There’s a reason why Pixel customer satisfaction was the lowest of the major Android manufacturers.
Still, credit where it’s due, as Google’s done an excellent job producing two generations of solid phones with fantastic software.
I’d be shocked if we didn’t get more of the same from the Pixel 10 — but let’s never forget it wasn’t that long ago that Google was haunted.
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