Smartphone batteries are no stranger to eventual wear, where after a certain amount of charge cycles, the device holding the cell cannot run for the same period as it did when it was removed from its packaging for the first time. Google believes it has one way to increase the lifespan of this component, and it intends to bring the feature called ‘Battery health assistance’ to the Pixel 9a through a software update. What this change will do is reduce the maximum supported voltage of the battery, which will decrease its overall charge capacity but maintain its health for a longer period.
The maximum voltage will continue to reduce on the Pixel 9a as its battery approaches 1,000 charge cycles; the feature will likely arrive to other Google devices too
The ‘Battery health assistance’ will continue to monitor the charge cycles and patterns on the Pixel 9a, and after the mid-ranger reaches a certain threshold, the software will automatically reduce the maximum voltage supported by the device. First noticed by 9to5Google, details from a support document state that the reduction of the maximum voltage will commence after 200 charge cycles are completed, after which that value will gradually decline until the charge cycle counter reaches 1,000.
Lithium-ion batteries are consumable components that eventually require replacement. Your Pixel 9a will receive a software update that automatically helps manage the long term health and performance of its battery as it ages. This software will adjust the battery’s maximum voltage in stages that start at 200 charge cycles and continue gradually until 1000 charge cycles to help stabilize battery performance and aging.
You may notice small decreases in your battery’s runtime as your battery ages. Battery health assistance will also tune the phone’s charging speed based on adjusted capacity. You may notice a slight change in battery charging performance. Battery health assistance settings on Pixel 9a aren’t customizable by the user.
If you are wondering if ‘Battery health assistance’ will reduce the Pixel 9a’s cell to hold a charge for longer, then you are correct. However, before you get livid, understand that this will be done purposely so that the battery’s health degrades much more slowly. Assuming the cell’s maximum voltage was not reduced, the Pixel 9a would require a battery replacement after two years.
With the feature in place, that time can be extended to three years, allowing users to get more life out of their devices. Also, keep in mind that this feature will adjust the battery’s charging performance based on the number of charge cycles counted. Sadly, the feature is yet to roll out but once it does, you cannot adjust the settings of ‘Battery health assistance.’
