- The Google Pixel 10 comes with battery performance limits that can't be disabled
- Battery Health Assistance gradually decreases voltage and capacity after 200 cycles and up to 1000 cycles
- Online reactions suggest frustration
The Pixel 10 has been official for one week, and yet it seems that Google’s latest flagship smartphone has already found itself caught up in controversy over a new battery health setting that can’t be switched off.
As Android Central reports, the Google Pixel 10 series comes with an obligatory battery health feature called Battery Health Assistance, which limits the phone’s voltage and charging speed over time. The limits begin at 200 cycles and continue until 1,000 cycles. A report from Android Authority corroborates that the feature can’t be disabled.
For those not familiar, ‘cycle’ simply refers to the process of emptying and recharging the battery. Assuming the phone is charged daily, this could mean battery limits kick in after less than a year of ownership, with performance getting worse over the next few years.
However, here at TechRadar we’re confident that the Pixel 10’s battery limiting feature shouldn’t be a dealbreaker if you’re considering buying one – keep reading for our breakdown.
The claim
Unlike some tech controversies, there’s not really an element of suggestion or conspiracy theorizing – as far as we can tell, this is a real feature that will affect battery life on the Google Pixel 10 series. The issue is more about how users react to this information.
Naturally, a ‘feature’ that outright worsens your phone's performance isn’t guaranteed to be popular, and Pixel fans have reacted in kind. In one Reddit thread, user Toni_Segui wrote: “Regarding this imposition from Google, if they don't back down, for my part next year I'm going to Samsung or even Apple”.
User gosangst was less diplomatic, commenting: “Google really hates its customers”.
It seems that some online commenters are taking this battery limit feature as a reason to avoid the Google Pixel 10. We've contacted Google for comment, but haven't heard back yet.
It’s also true that Google Pixel phones have a checkered history when it comes to batteries. Recently, Google pulled the Pixel 6a from its refurbished store following reports of some units catching fire (though there was no official reason given). Some users may be wary of trusting Google when it comes to battery tech.
The reality
Most tech users know by now that batteries – even rechargeable ones – are ultimately consumable components, or at least that they degrade over time. Even the best Google Pixel phones have previously had issues with battery life and even battery safety, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that Google has taken such a hard line.
The likely intention behind Battery Health Assistance is to make the degradation of your phone’s battery feel more gradual and less noticeable, while avoiding putting too much stress on the battery.
If all goes to plan, this should make for a smoother and more sustainable experience in the long term. Remember, there’s no avoiding battery degradation with use – this is something that will happen anyway.
However, Google does have some catching up to do when it comes to phone users trusting its battery tech, so perhaps the option to disable Battery Health Assistance would’ve been a smart inclusion.
Still, there’s no need to panic over this sort of technology. The best phones now get years of post-launch support, so limiting hardware for the sake of longevity does make some sense. Whether you find that a reasonable tradeoff is, of course, up to you; let us know in the comments.
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