Google to Intentionally Decrease Pixel 9a Battery Capacity Over Time as Phone Ages

The Pixel 9a is set to introduce an innovative feature called “Battery Health Assistance.” This new addition aims to extend the lifespan of the smartphone’s battery by gradually reducing its voltage after 200 charge cycles. While this may result in shorter runtime, the ultimate goal is to maintain the battery’s health over the long term. Although the Pixel 9a might not offer as much AI capability as other models in the Pixel 9 series, it will come preloaded with unique software features.

A support document recently disclosed that the Pixel 9a will come equipped with the Battery Health Assistance functionality, which will intentionally lower battery capacity over time through software updates. As highlighted by 9to5Google, this battery protection capability serves to help manage the battery’s long-term performance as it ages. The reduction in capacity is a normal process for all lithium-ion batteries, which naturally degrade with continuous charging and discharging cycles. The Battery Health Assistance feature will monitor usage patterns and gradually decrease the maximum voltage once the device hits a certain number of usage cycles.

For clarification, all batteries have a maximum voltage for charging. Initially, the Pixel 9a’s battery performance will be optimal for the first 200 charge cycles. Beyond that point, the software will progressively lower the battery’s maximum voltage through multiple stages—this means the device won’t charge to its full potential but will remain healthier in the long run. Due to this capacity adjustment, users might experience a slight decline in battery runtime as the device ages.

Additionally, Battery Health Assistance will modify charging speeds according to the adjusted capacity, which could mean slower charging times as the battery ages. While the feature won’t be user-configurable on the Pixel 9a, Google intends to introduce it to a select range of Pixel devices where it will be optional. A release for this feature is anticipated alongside Android 16, which has already been seen in testing. The Pixel 9a itself features a sleek design with a large 6.3-inch display, a robust Tensor G4 chipset, and the largest battery ever offered in a Pixel device, potentially marking it as the best $500 smartphone on the market in recent years.