Google will intentionally tank Pixel 9a's batter life after just a few months of use

Google’s new Pixel 9a is just around the corner, set to go on sale in several countries starting April 10. But potential buyers should be aware of a new software feature that might sour the experience. Google has confirmed the Pixel 9a will include something called “Battery health assistance,” and it sounds like bad news for day-to-day battery performance.

Here’s the deal: the feature is designed to automatically manage the phone’s battery as it gets older. Starting after just 200 charge cycles, the software will begin reducing the battery’s maximum voltage. This reduction will happen gradually, continuing until the phone hits 1,000 charge cycles. Google claims this is to “help stabilize battery performance and aging” and “extend usability.”

But what does a lower voltage actually mean for you? It means your phone won’t last as long on a single charge. Google’s own support documents admit you might notice “small decreases in your battery’s runtime.” The feature will also slow down charging speeds to match the reduced capacity.

So, Google is essentially planning to intentionally throttle your Pixel 9a’s battery performance relatively early in its life. While they frame it as helping long-term battery health, the immediate effect is a potentially shorter battery life and slower charging after only about six to seven months of typical use (assuming one charge cycle per day).

This approach might remind some users of past battery controversies, like the issues that plagued some Pixel 4a units after a problematic update. Google insists this new feature is about preserving the battery over the long haul, especially important now that they promise seven years of software updates. They even mention that Pixel 8a and newer phones should keep 80% capacity for about 1000 cycles.

The most concerning part for Pixel 9a buyers? You can’t turn this feature off. Google has decided that “Battery health assistance settings on Pixel 9a aren’t customizable by the user.” So, you’re stuck with the potentially reduced performance whether you like it or not. Interestingly, Google did tell 9to5Google that this feature will eventually roll out to older Pixel models later this year, but those users will apparently get the option to disable it. Pixel 9a owners won’t have that choice.