Mandatory battery assistant on Pixel 10 series
The new Google Pixel 10 series was announced by the company in the past week. Much has been written about the four new devices. Now Android Authority comes with the news that Google has added a new Battery Status Assistant feature to the models. Both the Pixel 10, and the other models like the Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold will get a feature that works with a battery limitation.
Google first introduced this feature with the Google Pixel 9a. The battery assist feature aims to stabilise battery life. This is done by gradually reducing the charging rate and the maximum voltage of the battery, as well. Interestingly, Google starts doing this relatively quickly. As early as around 200 charge cycles to around 1,000 charge cycles. According to Google, newer devices (from the Pixel 8a onwards) should last about 1,000 charge cycles before the capacity drops to 80 per cent. In practice, this results in a lower charging rate and a noticeably shorter battery life.
All lithium-ion batteries wear out the more often they are charged. However, the battery status assistant causes capacity and performance to drop extra, on top of the natural wear and tear. Unlike other models, Google is making this option mandatory on the Google Pixel 10 models. Previously, users could choose whether they wanted to use the feature, now it cannot be switched off.
Google's approach is striking. Samsung's high-end models should last 2,000 charge cycles before the battery capacity drops to 80 per cent. With OnePlus and Oppo, this is around 1,600 charge cycles. Also, more and more phones have an option to charge to 80 per cent. This is another way to reduce wear and tear. That Google is taking this very approach may be due to the various battery issues that have played out in the past. For instance, the Pixel 4a and 6a received mandatory updates due to sudden poor battery life, and a replacement programme came for the Pixel 7a due to swelling batteries.
