Your old Pixel is set to miss out on a powerful | Tech News

One of the primary causes to buy a Google Pixel cellphone is for the software program updates. As the maker of Android, Google ensures its own Pixel units are the primary to obtain the newest variations of the cellular software program, usually weeks or months earlier than rivals similar to Samsung.

Not solely that, however for the reason that Pixel 8 in 2023, Google began to promise seven years of software program updates for that cellphone and all Pixels launched after it, that means for those who choose up the newest Pixel 9a you’ll nonetheless be getting updates in 2032.

Even the Pixel 7 from 2022 is down to get 5 years of updates, so for those who own that cellphone you’ll be up to date till 2027. But in accordance to a new report, house owners of the Pixel 8, Pixel 7 and earlier still-supported Pixels gained’t be getting each new function when Android 16 rolls round.

According to Android Authority, Google is introducing a new Battery Health function for Pixel telephones comparable to what Apple provides on its iPhone fashions. This is a share determine within the battery part of the settings app that permits you to know at what share of its unique one hundred pc capability the battery is at the moment at. If it is decrease than about 80 %, it is time to look into changing your battery to keep your cellphone powered on for longer.

The decrease the share, the much less total charge the battery can maintain. This is the character of rechargeable batteries, and so they lose capability as they’re used over time. This leads to poorer battery life and why you’ve gotten had to charge your old smartphone twice per day, usually forcing you to improve handsets.

It’s about time this function got here to Pixel telephones, however the report suggests most older Pixel telephones gained’t be getting it. In truth, it’s mentioned that solely the Pixel 8a, launched in May 2024, and Pixels launched later than that cellphone will get it.

This implies that anybody with a Pixel 8 or earlier is out of luck. Given these older telephones would be the ones whose batteries are most depleted, it’s a disgrace customers gained’t get an insight into battery health.

“The Battery Health Indicator feature is currently supported in Beta 3 on Pixel 8a and Pixel 9 products including 9 Pro Fold,” Google mentioned within the Google Issue Tracker on the matter. “Due to product limitations, this feature will not be available on older in-market Pixel devices.”

When Apple launched its Battery Health software in 2017 it supported 2014’s iPhone 6. If this new report is correct, Google is solely managing to go back one yr in Pixel releases to 2024 on a function launching later in 2025.

Android 16 is anticipated to be launched both to the present crop of Pixel telephones later this yr or in tandem with the anticipated Pixel 10 sequence when it launches. Google launched the Pixel 9 sequence in August final yr, earlier than earlier years when the new telephones got here out in October.