The Pixel Pulse: Aces on the court, referral perks, and charging quirks!

Welcome, Pixel fans and curious readers, to our latest roundup that takes you through all the exciting developments in the Google Pixel universe. From serving up cutting-edge tech at the Australian Open to rewarding your friends (and yourself) through referrals, and even some insights into those Pixel charging habits, there’s plenty to unpack. Let’s dive in!

Google is kicking off 2025 with a grand slam partnership, becoming the official smartphone of the Australian Open. But this isn’t just about slapping the Pixel logo everywhere; Google’s pulling out all the stops with a Pixel Studio experience at the event.

From January 12 to January 26, attendees can explore the magic of the Pixel 9 Pro up close at Melbourne Park. The Pixel Studio will showcase features like Magic Eraser, Magic Editor, and the mind-blowing Circle to Search — tools designed to make you go “Wow, that’s smart!” with every click. Whether you’re a seasoned Pixel fan or just curious, Pixel Studio promises hands-on demos and expert tips.

If that wasn’t tempting enough, Google’s offering “Epic Pixel Deals” during the event. Expect discounts and enhanced trade-in offers for the Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL. Looks like 2025 is shaping up to be another ace year for Google’s smartphone lineup, which already saw impressive gains in market share last year.

Feeling generous? The new Pixel Referral Program lets you earn $50 in Google Store credit for every friend who buys a Pixel using your unique code. Plus, your buddy gets 10% off their new Pixel. It’s a win-win situation, capped at $500 in credits per person.

Sharing is as easy as heading to store.google.com/referrals, where you can grab your code and start spreading the word. Just remember, each code can only be used once, and the deal doesn’t apply during peak times like Black Friday. So, get in early and snag those rewards before June 30, 2025.

Google’s December Pixel Drop brought the much-requested 80% charge limit feature, aimed at extending battery lifespan. Great, right? Well, mostly. While this setting works perfectly when your Pixel is powered on, there’s a quirk: it doesn’t stick when the device is powered off.

If your phone’s dead and you plug it in, it might charge beyond the 80% limit — not ideal for those trying to be kind to their battery. It seems this feature is controlled at the Android system level, not hardware, which is why the limit vanishes when the phone is off.

The good news? Most of us rarely power down our phones completely. Still, it’s something to keep in mind if you’re serious about preserving battery health. Maybe 2025 will bring a tweak to fix this hiccup. Fingers crossed, Google.

• Pixel 10 camera upgrades: Rumors hint at a revamped camera system with better low-light capabilities and AI-driven editing to beat the competition from the likes of Vivo and Xiaomi. If the Pixel 9 Pro’s camera wowed you, the 10 might leave you speechless.
• Notification sync over mobile data: Google’s finally addressing this long-standing gripe. Expect smoother sync experiences, even when Wi-Fi isn’t an option.
• LineageOS 22.1 update: Pixel devices are standing out as top-tier performers in the latest custom ROM rollout, with the ROM available for all Pixel devices, including the latest Pixel 9 series, at launch.
• Safety concerns: A Pixel 6a reportedly caught fire recently, raising concerns about battery safety. While such incidents are rare, it’s a reminder to keep an eye on battery health.
• 2025 Pixel expectations: Enhanced AI features, better ecosystem integration, and maybe even a refreshed Pixel Buds A-Series? The year looks promising for Google enthusiasts.

With exciting partnerships, new features, and a few quirks to keep things interesting, the Pixel journey is far from boring. Whether you’re already a Pixel devotee or just Pixel-curious, 2025 seems like the perfect time to explore what Google’s flagship devices have to offer. Until next time, keep those Pixels sharp and your notifications synced.