Google’s battery patent could redefine Pixel longevity, plus Pixel 10a price leaks and critical Buds security

Crux

• Battery revolution: A new Google patent proposes a rigid metal chassis for batteries, potentially allowing users to swap batteries without glue or professional tools by the Pixel 12.
• Pixel 10a pricing: Despite rising industry costs, leaks suggest the Pixel 10a could launch at a lower price point (~€500) than its predecessor.
• Security alert: A severe Bluetooth vulnerability dubbed “WhisperPair” affects Fast Pair devices like the Pixel Buds Pro 2, requiring immediate firmware updates.

Google might have solved the biggest issue with Pixel battery life

Seven years of updates might finally be feasible with a new battery every couple of years.

On January 1, 2026, Google filed a patent for an interesting smartphone battery design that skips glue and opts for a more mechanical way of locking the battery inside a phone using a rigid metal chassis. That new design should technically allow a normal user to dislodge the battery from the phone without puncturing it or damaging it, and replace it with a new one.

Although this is still a patent, and patents have a tendency to remain theoretical, there’s actually a reason why this particular one might end up in an actual product like the Pixel 12, and it’s the European Union’s upcoming battery regulation. If it does, Google might have finally figured out how to fix one of the Pixel’s biggest battery complaints.

Pixel phones tend to age surprisingly well. Five- and even eight-year-old models still boot, still receive updates (within their support window), and still work reliably if they avoid hardware failures. The issue is that Pixel battery life starts off average and then degrades faster than many users expect.

After roughly a year of consistent use, battery endurance begins to dip noticeably. Heavy travel days, navigation, photography, and long summer usage expose the decline even more. By year two, many Pixels still perform flawlessly but struggle to last a full day.

Replacing the battery doesn’t solve this easily. Modern smartphones rely on glued-in soft pouch batteries that are dangerous to remove without heat, solvents, and experience. For most users, battery replacement means a repair shop or upgrading earlier than planned.

This goes against everything the EU regulation requires starting February 2027.

Google’s new patent gives us a look at how the company plans to solve this compliance issue without compromising waterproofing or wireless charging. It skips glue and proposes mounting the soft battery inside a rigid metal chassis—a thin frame that protects it from rattling or bending. The frame locks into the phone mechanically using shear stops. As a result, a normal user should be able to unlatch and remove it without special tools.

If Google adopts this design for the Pixel 12 series in 2027, those seven years of software updates could finally translate to seven years of usable hardware life.

Leaked Pixel 10a prices could somehow go down from last year

In other hardware news, it seems Google is bucking the industry trend of rising prices. According to leaker @MysteryLupin, the Pixel 10a might actually cost less than last year’s model.

While 2026 has been a year of rising costs in consumer electronics, Google’s next mid-ranger is reportedly starting at around €500 for the 128GB model in Europe—down from the Pixel 9a’s €549 launch price. If accurate, this price drop might be possible because the Pixel 10a reportedly shares much of its DNA (and component list) with the Pixel 9a, including the chipset and design.

Security update: “WhisperPair” vulnerability hits Pixel Buds

Finally, a note on security: researchers at KU Leuven University have disclosed a vulnerability called WhisperPair that affects Google Fast Pair devices, including the Pixel Buds Pro 2.

The exploit allows attackers to remotely pair with a vulnerable device without physical interaction, potentially enabling location tracking or audio hijacking. While this sounds scary, the fix is straightforward. Google was notified back in August 2025, and patches are rolling out. If you own Pixel Buds or other Fast Pair accessories, check for firmware updates immediately.

We stand out from the tech-media crowd because we break news stories; we mainly bring you stuff that you won’t find anywhere in the mainstream tech media. Our stories have been picked up by some of the world’s most popular websites and media outlets—more info is available here.