Smartphone batteries are often the first component to show signs of wear and tear. As we use our devices, their ability to hold a charge diminishes, resulting in shorter battery life compared to when we first purchased them.

To address this common issue, Google is introducing a new feature called “Battery Health Assistance” with the upcoming Pixel 9a. The discovery of this feature was made by 9to5Google, who found a mention in the Pixel 9a’s Google Store listing that stated, “Pixel software will manage battery performance to help maintain battery health as your battery ages.”

Google elaborates on this in their support documentation, explaining that the software will adjust the battery’s maximum voltage in stages, starting after 200 charge cycles and extending up to 1,000 cycles. This gradual adjustment aims to stabilize battery performance and mitigate aging effects.

Users may experience slight decreases in battery runtime as their device ages, but the battery health assistance feature is intended to optimize charging speed based on the battery’s capacity adjustments. This might result in minor changes to how quickly the phone charges.

Initially, this feature will only be available on the Pixel 9a, but Google has indicated plans to eventually roll it out to several other Pixel devices later in the year. However, the specific models that will receive this feature have not been disclosed yet.

Interestingly, this development echoes a similar battery management system that Apple implemented for its iPhones. As iPhone batteries age, their performance can decline, prompting Apple to throttle performance when battery capacity falls below 80%.

Following some backlash over transparency, Apple introduced clearer settings, allowing users to disable throttling if they choose. The Google Pixel 9a is set to launch on April 10, presenting an appealing option for those seeking a reasonably priced Pixel smartphone.