Android 16 Adds Smart Battery Tools—to New Phones

Android 16 Adds Smart Battery Tools—to New Phones

Byte-Sized Brief

  • Battery health features arrive to Pixels running Android 16.
  • These settings monitor and optimize battery health.
  • The catch: Only newer Pixels get them.

If you’ve ever experienced battery woes with your Pixel phone, Android 16 could change all of that—if you have a newer model. Like the iPhone’s Optimized Battery Charging feature, battery health (only available on Pixel 8a and above) rates your device’s battery capacity (Normal or Reduced) to let you know when it might be time to replace it. For context, Google says that Pixel 8a phones and newer have an 80 percent charging capacity for 1000 cycles before needing a replacement.

Alongside battery health, Battery Health Assistant lands on Pixel 6a phones and newer, and is on by default on Pixel 8a and later. This feature makes automatic voltage and charging speed adjustments to keep the battery stable and performing for the long haul. In turn, you’ll notice some decreases in battery life and charging. But all in the name of keeping the battery fine-tuned for as long as possible.

The Bottom Line

Newer Pixel phones running Android 16 get automatic battery health monitoring and assistance features that could help you figure out charging problems and improve battery longevity. You might see this feature now or rolling out this summer.

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