Another Pixel 6a catches fire, casting doubts on Google as more Pixel 10 renders surface

Google’s smartphone credibility took another hit this weekend as yet another Pixel 6a burst into flames, this time despite having the company’s mandatory battery safety update installed. The incident comes at an awkward time for Google, which is gearing up to launch its Pixel 10 series next month amid fresh leaks showing off colorful new renders.

Fifth Pixel 6a fire raises serious safety concerns

A Reddit user going by footymanageraddict shared disturbing details of their Pixel 6a catching fire while they slept on Saturday night. The phone was charging on their nightstand just 40 centimeters from their head when it ignited, filling their closed bedroom with toxic fumes and setting their bedsheets ablaze.

“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 user wrote. They also reported throat irritation from inhaling smoke and damage to their air conditioning unit from the flames.

What makes this incident particularly alarming is that the user had already installed Google’s “Battery Performance Program” update, which was specifically designed to prevent these scenarios. The update, which we covered last month, dramatically reduces battery performance and charging speeds to minimize overheating risks.

This marks the fifth reported Pixel 6a fire in the past year, as noted by Android Authority. We also covered a similar Pixel 6a incident back in December when the phone burst into flames while the user was asleep. We also covered a few days ago how similar battery performance updates have been affecting other Pixel models.

Australia’s consumer watchdog issued a warning about Pixel 6a battery overheating just one day before this latest fire incident. The fact that a device caught fire even after receiving the protective update suggests Google’s software solution may not be sufficient to address what appears to be a fundamental hardware problem.

Fresh Pixel 10 renders surface ahead of launch

Meanwhile, it seems the excitement surrounding the upcoming launch of the Pixel 10 series is continuing to build up. Fresh renders leaked by tipster Evan Blass show the Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL in multiple colorways, including Moonstone, Indigo, Jade, and Obsidian.

The leaked images also reveal the upcoming Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds Pro 2. Google even accidentally contributed to the leak frenzy when the Play Store banner was spotted showing off the new devices.

The Indigo option will be exclusive to the base model, while Jade will be available across the Pro models. Reports suggest the base Pixel 10 will start at $799, with the Pro model at $999 and the Pro XL at $1,199.

That said, with older Pixels catching fire, let’s just hope Google has already figured out the cause and has addressed the hardware flaws in new Pixel phones. With the standard Pixel 10 expected to skip a vapor chamber yet again, we’ll have to see if it will also fall victim to overheating, and potentially, hazardous fires.