Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Pixel 10 lineup has a controversial battery health feature.
- Users don’t have the option to turn it off.
- The feature limits your phone’s battery capacity over time.
If you’re a Google Pixel 10 series phone owner, a mandatory feature will limit your device’s battery life. Whether that’s a good thing or not depends on how you approach it.
Earlier this year, Google introduced a Battery Health Assistance feature for the Pixel 9a. Since lithium-ion batteries degrade over time, Google explained in a support page dedicated to the feature, it’s actually beneficial for your battery to limit its capacity once it hits a certain number of charging cycles.
This means that, over time, your phone will have a little shorter battery life each day and slower charging in return for a longer lifespan overall.
Also: Google Pixel 10 series hands-on: I did not expect this model to be my favorite
Speaking to Android Authority, Google confirmed that the Pixel 10 comes with this feature built in. This includes every phone in the lineup — the Pixel 10, the Pixel 10 Pro, and the Pixel 10 Pro Fold. And like the 9a, you don’t have the option to turn it off.
Battery Health Assistance starts lowering your phone’s voltage at 200 charge cycles (or only about seven months if you charge every day), Google said, and continues until 1000 charge cycles.
Google hasn’t exactly had a stellar history with its device batteries. The 7a had issues so significant that Google offered to replace them for free, and the 6a had several reported fires.
Why Battery Health Assistance isn’t right for some people
The problem here is the lack of choice. Most people will hit 200 charge cycles in less than a year of use. For those who upgrade their phone every other year or so, they’d be getting a new one anyway by the time their device has noticeable battery degradation without this feature. They’d likely rather just roll with the “better now but worse later” option. But Google doesn’t give them that option. Beyond that, there are steps you can take to prolong your Pixel’s battery life.
Also: I’m a diehard Google Pixel fan – here’s why I’m not upgrading to the latest model
You can see if your phone’s battery is limited by going to Settings > Battery > Battery health. You can check your battery cycle count by going to Settings > About phone > Battery information.
Want to follow my work? Add ZDNET as a trusted source on Google.