Google follows in Samsung's footsteps?

There have been repeated reports of Pixel 6a exploding. Photo: Android Authority .

Following a series of reports of the Pixel 6a, which is due to launch in 2022, catching fire and exploding, a Google spokesperson said that "a subset" of Pixel 6a phones will soon receive a "mandatory" software update that reduces battery capacity and charging performance after reaching 400 cycles.

According to Google, this will "reduce the risk of the battery overheating," although the phone will charge more slowly and go less time between charges — not great for a phone that's only been out for three years.

The company has yet to confirm the reports of phones catching fire, but it appears the two issues are related.

Google did something similar with the Pixel 4a earlier this year, and in some cases, offered free battery replacements. It's unclear if Google will extend that policy to the Pixel 6a. According to PC Mag , it could happen if the problem continues to spread.

There have been two publicly reported cases of Pixel 6a catching fire in the past month, with one user sharing their story with Android Authority and another posting on Reddit . The photos show the phone on fire, so it’s clear this is an important security update.

A close-up of a Pixel 6a with a problem. Photo: Android Authority.

Many Pixel 6a users may be affected. 400 cycles would equate to about 1-2 years of use for most people. It’s unclear how much battery life will be reduced after the software update.

Until now, the incident of the high-end smartphone line Galaxy Note 7 exploding, so serious that it had to be recalled and discontinued in 2016, is still haunting the mobile device market.

In the scandal nine years ago, the main cause was a manufacturing defect in the battery, combined with the design of the device. Initially, Samsung tried to save its key product line by exchanging new devices for customers, updating software to limit battery levels while waiting to determine the cause and scope of the impact.

However, the world's largest phone manufacturer was eventually forced to discontinue and recall the entire Galaxy Note 7 product line, accepting heavy financial and reputational damage.

Source: https://znews.vn/google-di-vao-vet-xe-do-cua-samsung-post1560425.html