Multiple reports from Google Pixel smartphone owners indicate that the latest June update has once again caused battery drain and overheating problems, following a recurring pattern of such issues after Google’s software updates. Users on Reddit and Google's support forum have voiced their complaints, expressing frustration over the faster battery drain and increased device temperature.
Many Pixel owners who installed the June 2023 update have noticed their device's battery depleting at an accelerated rate, with some requiring multiple charges throughout the day. Even when idle, the phones continue to drain power excessively. Additionally, users have reported that their Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series devices are running hotter than usual. Some individuals have also experienced signal issues after the update, although the problem does not affect all users universally.
Despite the negative impact on battery life, there are reports of a few users experiencing improvements following the June update. However, these cases seem to be isolated, as a large number of Pixel owners are facing the adverse effects of the update.
This brings to mind the time when Apple was sued (in 2017) and fined for deliberately slowing down older iPhones to (allegedly) encourage users to purchase newer models, a scandal dubbed “batterygate”. As the Pixel 6 and 7 series are the latest Google has to offer, it would be wrong to equate these two examples.
Nevertheless, owning a smartphone with a battery that can barely make it through the day is a daunting proposition. A drained battery can leave you disconnected from friends and colleagues in the digital age, but it creates other issues as well. Nearly two-thirds of smart-home owners control their systems via smartphones. Many people use smartphones as TV remotes. The list goes on.
Thankfully, Google has a history of promptly addressing such issues and providing fixes. The company previously resolved battery drain problems through server-side adjustments, requiring no user intervention. It’s expected that Google will take similar action this time to rectify the situation. Given the growing number of complaints, experience tells us Google will acknowledge and address the battery drain and overheating issues shortly.
Google's Pixel phones have encountered battery-related problems after several updates in recent times. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 series, powered by Google's Tensor chips, already face challenges in power efficiency compared to Qualcomm's flagship Snapdragon SoCs. The introduction of bugs causing random and excessive battery drain exacerbates the issue. Additionally, users have reported intermittent signal drops, further adding to the frustration of Pixel owners.
This is not the first instance where Pixel owners have faced battery drain, overheating, and connectivity issues. Just a month ago, a bug in the Google app led to overheating and excessive battery consumption, which was subsequently resolved through an update from Google. Over the past two years, reports have emerged regarding random signal loss in Pixel 6 devices, highlighting the performance shortcomings of the built-in Exynos modem.
While the current battery drain and overheating issues are not as widespread as in previous cases, Pixel owners experiencing reduced battery life will need to wait for Google to address the problem through either a server-side fix or a subsequent update. Given Google's track record, we expect that Google will provide a resolution to mitigate the impact on device performance.
If you are a Pixel owner affected by the June update's battery drain or overheating issues, we recommend you monitor official announcements from Google and provide feedback to assist in resolving the problem effectively.