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Google Pixel 8 series’ launch in October came with a jaw-dropping promise: seven years of software updates. No other phone maker has even hinted at such a long-term commitment. While it sounds like a dream come true for many, a closer look reveals some hidden wrinkles, especially when it comes to your battery. Because any device loses its battery capacity over time, and with seven major updates, you might see yourself on the hunt for battery replacement. But here’s the twist: Google has your back. It lets you know the total battery cycle counts with the latest December Pixel Feature drop.
Although, you could check your phone’s battery cycle counts with some tweaks. But it has never been a straightforward method or something you find in settings itself. For instance, iPhones show battery health percentages for users to decide if they need to replace the battery. This is especially useful when you rely on your phone daily and can’t afford to run out of power during important moments. Moreover, Apple introduced the battery cycle count feature in iPhones, but it’s exclusive to the iPhone 15 line.
Google Pixel will help you decide when it’s time to replace battery
9to5Google talked about “battery cycle counts” when Google released Android 14 QPR1, around two weeks before the Pixel 8 line came out. The latest December Pixel Feature drop update comes with it. In the Settings > About Phone section of Google Pixel devices, a fresh “Battery Information” shows up. It details the battery, like when it was made and how many times it’s been charged.
While users can now see the age and history of their battery, it doesn’t show the “battery health” yet but Android expert Mishaal Rahman suggests that it will make it to the phones in the next updates. Meanwhile, Google could walk an extra mile to detail more about the battery like its unique serial number. This could help distinguish between original and replaced batteries. At large, major updates are expected in Android 15.
The math behind battery health
Battery health on a Pixel phone or any smartphone is straightforward. The math here is simple. When your phone displays 70% battery health from its original 4,000mAh capacity, it means the battery’s capacity has reduced to 2,800mAh. And that’s 70% of the original 4,000mAh.