In abstract
- Reddit consumer studies Pixel cellphone fireplace
- Fireplace occurred whereas cellphone was plugged in
- Follows formally confirmed battery points
Google’s legacy smartphone battery woes appear to be persevering with as studies emerge of a Pixel 6a handset catching fireplace.
Reddit consumer Footymanageraddict posted a report claiming that they just lately awoke to “a horrible odor and a loud noise”, attributable to their plugged-in Google Pixel 6a catching on fireplace.
It appears the hearth began simply 40cm from the consumer’s head earlier than spreading to the their bedsheets, damaging their freestanding air con unit, and leaving them with throat complaints from inhaled fumes.
The consumer additionally posted photographic proof of the injury precipitated to the Google Pixel 6a itself. From this image we are able to see that the cellphone gave the impression to be in a case on the time.
Google’s smoking cellphone
We’re not within the behavior of posting anecdotal studies on particular person malfunctioning smartphones, however the Pixel 6a has a historical past.
Because the poster factors out, this marks the third such reported incident of a Pixel 6a catching fireplace this month.
Extra importantly, these studies comply with Google itself taking main motion on its traditional cellphone.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Again in early July, we reported on the information that Google had issued a firmware replace that actively diminished the battery capability of sure Pixel 6a handsets as a security precaution “to scale back the chance of potential battery overheating”.
Google has additionally reached out with a spread of restore, credit score, and refund choices for affected Pixel 6a choices. Nevertheless, if handsets are catching fireplace, it might need a much bigger drawback on its arms.
What’s regarding about this newest case is that the consumer claims their Pixel 6a was working on the most recent model of Android 16.
Scorching Pixels
This isn’t the primary time Google has had points with malfunctioning Pixel batteries.
Sure fashions of the Google Pixel 4a have skilled the same subject in latest occasions. It appears any Pixel 4a containing a battery equipped by vendor Lishen was deemed defective, and obtained a firmware downgrade that dropped the output from 4.45V to three.95V as a way to stop overheating.
This resulted in huge drop to battery capcity, by as a lot as 56%. It additionally prompted the Australian Competitors & Shopper Fee to recall Google’s 2020 mid-range champ.