Pixel Phones Get a Battery Boost with Android 16

Google has been working on a new feature for Pixel phones that lets users check their battery health. This feature is similar to what iPhone users have had for a while. It shows how well the battery is doing and if it needs to be replaced. This feature has been in the works for a couple of years, but it looks like it might finally arrive with Android 16. The Battery health menu has been spotted in the latest beta release of Android 16. In the earlier beta versions, you had to dig into the code to find it. But in the latest beta, you can easily access it from the Settings menu on your Pixel 9. Just go to Settings > Battery > Battery health. However, there's a catch. It seems that this feature only works on the Pixel 9 series and the Pixel 8a. So, even if Google officially releases the Battery health menu with Android 16, it might not be available on all Pixel models. This could be frustrating for users who have older models and want to check their battery health.

The Battery health menu doesn't just show you the battery's condition. It also gives you tips on how to extend your battery's lifespan. For example, it suggests updating your phone to the latest software, turning on adaptive charging, and avoiding extreme temperatures. It even has an option to enable Adaptive Charging or set your Pixel to charge only up to 80%. Google has been slow to add a battery health status option to Android. With Pixel phones getting seven years of updates, it's important for users to know their device’s battery health. This way, they can take steps to extend its lifespan and know when it's time for a replacement. Typically, a replacement is needed when the battery's capacity drops below 80% of its original charge. Google took its time introducing the option to limit your Pixel’s battery charge to 80%. It finally rolled it out in November 2024 after months of testing. The company might take a similar approach with the Battery health menu, meaning it might not debut with Android 16’s stable release in Q2 2025, even though it appears nearly complete.

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